I lost interest about where the NYT's "js disabled" censor cut off my access.

My far shorter take:

1 - Barring actual medical need, do not be a (less conservative) outlier in your workplace.

2 - Unless you're openly trying to sleep around, any shorts should be conservative.

3 - If A/C is dead and the workers sweltering in long pants, then the boss can wear shorts to demonstrate "yes, 'till the A/C is fixed, this really is allowed".