“I am in dress code… but men keep looking” Costco Employee Body Shamed In Workplace

In recent times, social media platforms have become a space for employees to share their workplace experiences, both positive and negative. While some highlight the perks of their jobs, others use the platform to voice their grievances with superiors and colleagues. 

A concerning trend is employees documenting their encounters with HR over their clothing choices.

One such incident involves a Costco employee who faced criticism not for her attire but for how her body looked.

The Incident

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Image Credit: Alastair Wallace/Shutterstock.

Isha Mason, a Costco employee, took to social media to share her distressing experience. In a video, she revealed that she was called into the HR office not because she violated the dress code, but because of her body shape.

She was told,

“ALTHOUGH I have on the right attire, I have the wrong body shape to wear it. I AM IN DRESS CODE … but because the men keep looking at me, I have to come to work in bigger clothes.”

Isha rightfully labeled this as body shaming and harassment. She expressed her disbelief and embarrassment, stating that the company should focus on more pressing issues than her body shape.

In her video, Isha stands in front of a full-length mirror, showcasing her work attire.

She says,

“So I’m borderline p******. I got called into the office because I’m following the dress code but my body shape is too much for my job.”

Further adding,

“I don’t get it. I’m following the dress code, but because I might have people following me around at work… How is this my fault?”

Public Reaction

“I am in dress code... but men keep looking” Costco Employee Body Shamed In Workplace » man shocked ss411210781
Image Credit: Ground Picture/Shutterstock.

The public quickly rallied behind Isha, condemning the company’s actions. Many pointed out the inherent bias and discrimination in the situation. 

One user commented,

“All my life I had to deal with that. No please don’t let them bully you! That is their problem, not yours. You are blessed PERIOD.”

Another shared a similar experience, saying,

“That happened to me at a job once too and I wish I would’ve fought back. I was too embarrassed to realize it was low-key discrimination.”

Interestingly, some users highlighted the irony of the situation. They pointed out that it wouldn’t be an issue if a woman with a slimmer figure wore the same outfit.

But because Isha has a curvy figure, it becomes a problem. 

One user remarked,

“Yep! My daughter got written up at work for her shorts being too short. She has a shape, but the little skinny-minnies were fine.”

A Deep Dive Into Body Shaming

“I am in dress code... but men keep looking” Costco Employee Body Shamed In Workplace » body shaming note ss1954351741
Image Credit: Ariya J/Shutterstock.

Body shaming, a pervasive issue in society, takes on a unique dimension for Black women, who often find themselves at the crossroads of racial and gender biases.

An article from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) ¹ underscores the challenges faced by women of color, highlighting that they grapple with both racial and gender prejudices. These biases can lead to internalized racism, affecting their self-worth and body image.

The historical context plays a significant role. Black women’s bodies have been hypersexualized and scrutinized for centuries, from the derogatory stereotypes during the era of slavery to the modern-day media portrayals. 

Diverse: Issues In Higher Education ² illustrates this, discussing the music industry’s body shaming practices, especially targeting curvaceous black women. The piece highlights Nikki Minaj’s song “Anaconda” as a representation of the celebration of fuller-bodied women and a target of industry bias. Furthermore, evolving beauty standards within the black community add another layer of complexity. As certain body enhancements become popular, black women face pressure to conform, sometimes risking their health. 

This internal community pressure and external societal biases create a challenging environment for black women.

The need for a broader, more inclusive conversation on body image is evident, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and challenging deep-rooted societal norms.

Read Next

“I am in dress code... but men keep looking” Costco Employee Body Shamed In Workplace » fashionable woman ss2050542908
Image Credit: Victoria Chudinova/Shutterstock.

Ever found yourself puzzled by the ever-evolving world of fashion? Do you find yourself scratching your head at some of the latest trends? From perpetually surprised eyebrows to sagging pants, fashion trends can often leave us scratching our heads in confusion.

Let’s explore seven of these perplexing trends.

Read Next

“I am in dress code... but men keep looking” Costco Employee Body Shamed In Workplace » female model ss753493738
Image Credit: Sofia Zhuravetc/Shutterstock.

Fashion is a deeply personal form of self-expression, often sparking heated debates. The concept of the ‘ideal’ female body is no exception.  Over the years, societal norms have dictated what body types are considered desirable, leading to a fascinating evolution of beauty standards.

Let’s take a journey through time to explore the changing trends in female body types and fashion.

Sources

“I am in dress code... but men keep looking” Costco Employee Body Shamed In Workplace » sources dp124084358
Image Credit: vtmila/Deposit Photos.

This article was produced and syndicated by Viral Chatter.

1: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4713035/

2: diverseeducation.com/opinion/article/15096887/anacondas-grip-how-body-shaming-is-strangling-black-womens-self-esteem

TikTok video:

@isha.mason I was called into the office, and told that ALTHOUGH I have on the right attire, I have the wrong body shape to wear it @ I AM IN DRESS CODE… but because the men keep looking at me, I have to come to work in bigger clothes… that’s #bodyshaming #harrasment and it’s just plain wrong!! #costco needs to focus on much more important things than my body shape I am #embarrassed this is #embarrassing #bodyshamingiswrong #happytuesday #sad ♬ original sound – Isha Mason

Martha A. Lavallie
Martha A. Lavallie
Author & Editor | + posts

Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.