[RickS]

>it seems clear to me this is not an example of sexism.

>she was asked not to wear a tank-top to work

She was not "asked not to wear a tank top to work". Her manager directly linked her (sane) clothing choices to the implication of promiscuity and its impact on her career, with an anecdote about one of her previous coworkers social habits and underwear.

That's inexcusable.

The employee's email is not "openly hostile to HR". She is descriptive of a hostile situation, and upfront about its impact. There's perhaps some subjectivity here, but I don't think it's nearly the same thing.

Your comment seems to do some gymnastics to trivialize a story full of conduct that, if true, is unambiguously improper.

[Rapzid]

I've re-read this, and re-reviewed the definition of sexism which is quite broad.

I think the case could be made that the manager was actually displaying sexism towards Mark. How? By believing/saying that his decisions would be motivated by what kind of top the author was wearing. This is clearly an old stereotype of males and pretty much definition sexism.

Her manager also comes of as an ass in this article; not sure what's true though.

[MBCook]

That's a good point, that probably would qualify as sexism against Mark.

[tomp]

"Don't wear revealing/sexy clothing" seems to be a common requirement at many jobs, and not sexist at all - though clearly it would be tailored specifically to the (inappropriate) clothes an individual is wearing.

[cholantesh]

I work in the financial sector. In the summer months especially, it is common to see women dressed in sleeveless tops. I would argue that sexualizing one's peers is much more unprofessional than dressing for comfort.

[watwut]

Tank tops seem to be pretty normal in jobs where a lot of young women work (except in positions that deals directly with customers). Judging by what I have seen women wear last year.

If it seems too revealing to someone, that someone is probably spending all time with males or old women only.