Viral Job Offer: No Open Hair, No T-Shirts—Indian Posting With ‘Ribbon Rule’ Triggers Outrage Online
Viral Job Offer: No Open Hair, No T-Shirts—Indian Posting With 'Ribbon Rule' Triggers Outrage Online
A post on Reddit has gone viral after a user shared a job offer letter from an Indian company that included a strict dress code. The letter, which was reportedly for a developer role with a monthly salary of ₹12,000, was shared in the subreddit r/IndianWorkplace. The incident gained attention for the detailed rules it placed on how men and women should dress at work.
The post was titled “What even is this”. The user wrote, “My friend got an offer letter, and we were going through it, and just wow, what does tucking in shirts or pinning shawls even have to do with the work people do?”
The offer letter had a section named “Dress Code and Grooming”. It said that men must wear formal clothes and keep their shirts tucked in at all times. T-shirts were not allowed. Jeans could be worn, but only with tucked-in shirts. It also added that men must keep their beards “well-trimmed and groomed.”
The rules for women were more detailed. They were asked to wear only kurtas and churidars, and shawls were to be “properly pinned.” The letter said, “Loose/open hair is not allowed. Hair should be tied with a ribbon and maintained neatly. Attire must always be neat, modest, and appropriate.”
Take a look at the post:
People who saw the post online shared their thoughts in the comment section. Many were shocked by the level of control over personal appearance. Some said the rules felt like school instructions. One person wrote, “Welcome back to school, guys. Also, they forgot to mention no running in the corridor and pin-drop silence.”
Another user wrote, “Indian workplaces are operated like schools with headmasters. another thing i don’t like is for women formals means at least 4-5 different types of clothes including pant shirt, salwar kurta, saadi, skirts etc. even footwear includes shoes, sandals etc. but for men it’s only pant shirt (that too full sleeve in indian weather), and closed shoes (which make feet sweat). I just hate it.”
People also pointed out the low salary being offered and said it did not match the strict rules. One person jokes, “That’s normal. They should also tell you to cut your nails, when to wake up and when to sleep.” Another user added, “Indian workplaces are operated like schools with headmasters.”
The offer letter and the reactions have now started a conversation online about office rules, gender expectations, and what counts as professional behavior in workplaces.
