Are shorts appropriate for work? This viral TikTok reignited an old controversy

Tyreshia Morgan attended a job interview in a simple pair of black shorts. She was sent home, with the recruiter offering to reschedule when she wore something more appropriate. After posting it on TikTok, some commenters bewailed the persistence of strict dress codes, while others say that shorts are never appropriate in the workplace.

Are shorts workplace-appropriate?

In her video, Morgan shows off the pair of shorts she wore to the interview: “Before they rescheduled, the lady was like, ‘Do you want to come back? Like, go change and come back?’ And I was like, ‘No.’” Morgan doubled down in her caption: “I look very neat and professional, so no.”

In a series of comment reactions, Morgan explained that she thought she was a “gem” for the company and an “overqualified candidate.” She also blamed American standards, later calling it a “teachable moment.”

The post now has more than 5 million views, with comments ranging from positive affirmations to hostile takedowns. “You should see the stuff I see people wear to interviews, there’s nothing wrong with this in warm weather,” one popular commenter wrote. Another: “Shorts to an interview is insane.”

@mtyreshiadaily I cannot believe the recruiter asked me to change my interview clothes then come back. I look very neat and professional, so no! #jobhunting #fypシ゚viral ♬ original sound – Tyreshia | Content Creator✨

The recruiters of TikTok responded in full force, with @cintroverted explaining that the interviewer might have been protecting Morgan. “When that recruiter was offering for you to change, she was really doing her best to give you a solid shot,” she explained. “When you show up dressed even remotely inappropriate in the eyes of the interviewer or recruiter, it creates an insane amount of bias where that’s all they will see.”

Shorts are a gray zone in the workplace

Workplace dress codes are changing, with fewer companies expecting business formal attire than ever before (for which you can thank the pandemic). Still, shorts have long remained controversial. A 2023 Wall Street Journal survey found a deep generational divide: 57% of boomers deemed shorts completely unacceptable in the workplace, while 75% of millennials said that shorts can be office-worthy. According to a 2018 OfficeTeam survey, shorts had actually become less acceptable over the previous five years.

Shorts can be an especially great challenge for women in the workforce, who are frequently given conflicting information on just what is appropriate to wear. There’s little differentiating shorts from a skirt, save some extra fabric. New York Times columnist Vanessa Friedman called out this dilemma: “The issue is really less can you wear shorts to work than how do you wear shorts to work.”

There’s been some high-profile pushback to this anti-shorts norm. Senator John Fetterman wore shorts and a hoodie on the Senate floor. Soon after, the governing body unanimously passed an effort to mandate a coat, tie, and slacks for men.