Hooters Reverses New Uniform Policy After Employees Say Skimpy Shorts Look 'Like Underwear'

Restaurant chain Hooters has been forced to amend their new uniform policy following an outcry from employees, who say the new shorts are so skimpy they are essentially just underwear.

Several Hooters employees posted videos to TikTok decrying the new shorts, which when combined with the tight tops Hooters requires, make the women's uniforms look essentially like leotards.

Many of the TikToks have gone viral, prompting the company to issue an updated policy.

See one of the TikToks below.

The new uniform was rolled out by Hooters first in Texas and then several other states in recent months, and immediately drew criticism from many employees, who compared the visibly shorter and higher-rising shorts to underwear.

One TikToker captioned her video, "soooo hooters got new panties. i mean shorts."

Another wrote, "love my job but don't love wearing undies to work."

Hooters initially defended the shorts, saying both customers and employees love them.

"These uniforms have been worn for months in several Texas markets and have received overwhelmingly favorable reviews from both Hooters Girls and customers."

But the various employees' TikToks, of course, tell a different story. One employee claimed in a video that the new shorts "made half the Hooters girls want to quit," and says she was soon contacted by the company's CEO to discuss the matter, who told her she can wear her old shorts if she prefers.

Over the weekend, the company made that policy universal, walking back their uniform policy and allowing employees to choose between the two styles and "determine which style of shorts best fits their body style and personal image."

On social media, the issue proved divisive. Many supported the servers, but others didn't understand the controversy given that a skimpy outfit is part of the job at Hooters.

And several women clapped back at men who were downright angry about the Hooters employees' complaints.

Hooters has since said it will work harder in the future to give employees more opportunities for "providing input at every stage including future clothing items and accessories."