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Referring to an employee's "body proportions" when directing her to comply with a uniform policy was unacceptable, but it didn't force her to resign, the Fair Work Commission has ruled.

Discussing the length of the employee's skirt was "within management's prerogative", but the HR generalist's approach to the issue was "poorly handled from start to finish", Deputy President Nicholas Lake found.

The Carney Townsville Partnership product specialist lodged a general protections dismissal dispute after she resigned in January this year. The employer objected on jurisdictional grounds, arguing she hadn't been dismissed.

The Commission heard that the employer updated its uniform policy late last year, after a customer complained that it had a "short skirt club". It also reminded employees to follow the dress code, which required skirts to be "knee-length or longer"...