(Photos) My Costco boss body-shamed my clothing — but I was following our dress code

A Costco employee named Aisha Mason has raised allegations of body-shaming and gender bias against her management team. She claimed that despite adhering to the store’s dress code, she was reprimanded for her attire, which was deemed “too much” for her male co-workers.

Mason, who resides in New Jersey, took to social media to share her experience. In a viral TikTok video, she expressed her frustration, saying, “So, I’m borderline pissed. Like, I got called into the office because I’m following dress code, but my body shape is too much for my job.” She explained that Costco’s “personal appearance policy” stipulates a dress code of a polo shirt and dress pants or jeans without rips.

The outfit that led to the issue consisted of a fitted red polo shirt and gray rib-knit cloth pants that Mason referred to as “dress pants.” She questioned the logic behind the reprimand, especially given that she was adhering to the guidelines. Her clip gained over 1.6 million views, indicating widespread resonance with her sentiments.

In an Instagram video, Mason continued to voice her frustration, arguing that she was unfairly singled out due to her body shape. She expressed her disappointment in having to deal with such criticism despite following the established dress code.

Support for Mason poured in from thousands of online users. Many criticized the perceived double standard where women are held accountable for men’s behavior. Others highlighted the need to address the actual issue of sexual harassment and objectification rather than placing the blame on the person being targeted.

However, there were also differing opinions regarding whether the pants Mason wore were appropriate for the workplace. Some suggested that the material of her pants was not in line with traditional dress pants, advocating for alternatives like slacks or khakis. Others debated whether the attire would have been viewed differently on someone with a different body type, suggesting a bias against curvier figures.

The incident has sparked conversations around workplace dress codes, body positivity, and the undue burden often placed on women for the actions and reactions of others. The debate highlights the need for workplaces to ensure consistency and fairness in enforcing dress codes while promoting an inclusive and respectful environment for all employees.