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Employee Morale Improves With Casual Dress Code Company Dress Codes Lean Toward Casual Nov. 6, 2000 (SmartPros) Dressing for success used to mean that men were required to wear a dark-colored business suit, starched button-down shirt, red power tie and wing-tip shoes.
The shift from "banker blue to blue denim" in the workplace can be attributed to high technology, according to clothing manufacturer Lee Jeans. Specifically, computers, fax machines and conference calls reduce the need for traditional corporate attire. Studies also show that casual dress can increase productivity because comfortable, relaxed employees will work harder and longer at their job, rather than be distracted by the appearance and discomfort of formal business attire. Casual Dress Pervasive
More companies are allowing casual dress at the office, according to a 1995 poll conducted by Evans Research Associates for the Society for Human Resource Management and Levi Strauss Co. Nine out of 10 HR managers said their companies allow workers to wear casual clothing at the office either regularly or on special occasions. Twenty-eight percent allow casual dress daily. Forty-two percent said casual dress is permitted once a week. Eleven percent allows casual dress only on special occasions while 1 percent permits it on a seasonal basis. "We believe that casual dress can have clear advantages, at virtually no cost, for most corporations and industries," said Michael R. Losey, SHRM's president and CEO. "Casual dress policies are quickly becoming the rule rather than exception."
Survey respondents cited the following benefits of allowing casual dress at work:
The Case for Casual
Establishing a casual dress code is an inexpensive way to improve employee morale. Most employees appreciate a casual dress code because it's a symbol of management's attitude toward meeting employee needs. If management allows casual attire, it may be viewed as being more caring by sending one or more of the following signals to employees:
Companies that advocate part-time or full-time casual dress can gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace by offering a casual dress policy. In today's tight labor market, a casual dress code attracts quality people who will not apply for a job at a company that does not allow casual attire. Such potential employees may gravitate toward a firm's competitors, placing the firm at a competitive disadvantage.
Some companies vary their dress code policy based upon employees' level of customer contact. Employees with client contact should wear business attire, as should those who can be seen by clients in the course of everyday business. Many companies apply casual dress codes only to employees who have little or no client contact.
Establishing a Policy
HR departments can successfully implement a casual dress policy by following these guidelines, according to The Lifecare Connection:
As casual attire becomes increasingly popular in the workplace, HR professionals will need to develop appropriate casual dress guidelines for their employees, while maintaining a professional-looking environment for clients visiting the location.
Send comments or questions to information@smartpros.com.
2000, Smartpros Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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