I hope that Prospect is going to tell management to sod off over this issue. Personally I find it a bit pathetic that ab initio trainees have to wear a collar and tie right up until their first validation. Not only are they under pressure to perform, they have to feel hot and stuffy as well. Once they have that important bit of paper, it gives them both the opportunity to perform acts of gross air traffic control and dress like tramps like the rest of us.
The last time I wore a tie to work was for a validation board in 1990 and that was under sufference.