Female employees at "The Howard Stern Show" are reportedly subject to a dress code that prohibits them from wearing sneakers in the office, a rule that does not apply to their male counterparts, according to a report by The US Sun.
Insiders cited by the outlet claim that women are instructed to keep dressier shoes readily available to swap into should male executives visit the SiriusXM office in New York City. The source described the policy as "insane," particularly in light of changing workplace norms.
"Times have changed but also maybe don’t have different rules for men and women," the insider reportedly stated. "That’s insane." The report also recalled an instance in 2013 when Howard Stern addressed his staff's appearance, expressing dissatisfaction with what he perceived as overly casual attire. During a presentation, Stern reportedly stated that some employees looked like "zombies from ‘Walking Dead’" and that the overall impression was akin to a "college radio station" or "homeless people working here."
At the time, Stern urged employees to "work on their appearance" and dress more formally from Monday through Wednesday, particularly on days when clients or talent were scheduled to visit. He emphasized the importance of making good impressions, adding that "If a celebrity comes in, you MUST look nice," and that "no one is an exception."
Further allegations from the report suggest that employees are also prohibited from speaking to Stern at work events, with a potential for termination if this rule is violated. A representative for "The Howard Stern Show" was not immediately available for comment.