'Howard Stern Show' Has 'Insane' Dress Code for Women Only, Insider Claims: 'Times Have Changed'

The Howard Stern Show's workplace culture is coming under scrutiny, with an insider claiming female employees face a stricter dress code than their male colleagues.

According to an insider who spoke with an outlet on Wednesday, August 12, women working at the SiriusXM offices in New York City are expected to avoid sneakers, even as men are reportedly allowed to wear more casual footwear.

Female staffers have reportedly been keeping an extra pair of “non-sneaker” shoes under their desks “in case certain execs are expected in the offices.”

“There is this rule that it doesn’t matter what kind of footwear men wore [sic], but the women are not allowed to wear sneakers at work,” the insider told The U.S. Sun.

The alleged policy reportedly surprised the insider, particularly after workplace expectations shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the source, employees were even expected to dress up for video calls during that period.

“Times have changed, but also maybe don’t have different rules for men and women,” the insider claimed. “That’s insane.”

The report also pointed to a 2013 video in which Howard Stern addressed his staff's appearance during a PowerPoint presentation.

At the time, the longtime radio personality criticized the way some employees dressed while clients and interview guests were visiting the office.

“Some people around here look like zombies from The Walking Dead,” the radio personality said during an onstage PowerPoint presentation. “We look like a college radio station. We look like we have homeless people working here.”

Stern went on to say the casual appearance could make visitors uncomfortable.

“It’s off-putting and scary,” he said, urging employees to “work on their appearance” on days when interviews were scheduled.

Stern clarified that he wasn't demanding formal business attire from everyone.

“I’m not saying we’re a suit-and-tie organization,” Stern added, insisting that they just “upgrade their appearance” and avoid “shlubby” dresses and “homeless looks.”

The latest allegations come after former employees of The Howard Stern Show made claims about the workplace environment.

As OK! previously reported, some former staffers have alleged that employees were discouraged from approaching Stern directly at company parties, with some describing the atmosphere as “cultish.”

A report from The U.S. Sun cited multiple insiders who claimed workers received warnings before company gatherings and were allegedly told that employees had previously lost their jobs for attempting to approach the radio host.

Sources also described Stern's dedicated area at SiriusXM as being filled with photos of the star. Employees were reportedly encouraged to greet one another using some of Stern's familiar catchphrases.

“People were warned before any company parties not to speak to Howard, with the added note that people have actually gotten fired for it,” an insider told the outlet.

The source said the environment could initially appear playful but felt different upon closer inspection.

“And it all seems light and fun, but once you step back, you see it as something else,” they said.

Some former staffers also claimed that male employees competed for Stern's attention and approval.

According to one source, that desire for recognition shaped the atmosphere inside the workplace.

“It’s like they all just like want Daddy’s approval so bad,” a source explained. “I think that a lot of them like acted out to get that attention. You go into that compound, and it’s just pictures of Howard everywhere.”