Read of the day!-----I was fired from my internship for writing a proposal for a more flexible dress code

I was fired from my internship for writing a proposal for a more flexible dress code — Ask a Manager
A reader writes:

I was able to get a summer internship at a company that does work in the industry I want to work in after I graduate. 

Even though the division I was hired to work in doesn’t deal with clients or customers, there still was a very strict dress code. 

I felt the dress code was overly strict but I wasn’t going to say anything, until I noticed one of the workers always wore flat shoes that were made from a fabric other than leather, or running shoes, even though both of these things were contrary to the dress code.

I spoke with my manager about being allowed some leeway under the dress code and was told this was not possible, despite the other person being allowed to do it. 

I soon found out that many of the other interns felt the same way, and the ones who asked their managers about it were told the same thing as me. 

We decided to write a proposal stating why we should be allowed someone leeway under the dress code. 
We accompanied the proposal with a petition, signed by all of the interns (except for one who declined to sign it) and gave it to our managers to consider. 

Our proposal requested that we also be allowed to wear running shoes and non leather flats, as well as sandals (not flip-flops though) and other non-dress shoes that would fit under a more business casual dress code. 

It was mostly about the footwear, but we also incorporated a request that we not have to wear suits and/or blazers in favor of a more casual, but still professional dress code.

Read on!