In the modern office, the rights of the individual to personal expression are increasingly trumping company identity. But is a relaxed office dress code really the key to a happier and more productive workplace?
Candace Bushnell, the author of Sex and the City, pens her novels while wearing silk pyjamas in her living room. In Silicon Valley, Steve Jobs’ now iconic daily uniform of a black turtleneck paved the way for the millennial tech CEOs of today, whose sneaker-and-hoodie office dress code screams success rather than slacker.
For most of us, our work attire sits somewhere on the jeans-and-blazer spectrum. But it’s likely that we’ve all – at some point – harboured fantasies of rolling straight out of bed and into the office, resplendent in a baggy grey t-shirt and drawstring pants.
Today, as more modern workplaces embrace individual self-expression, from religious dress to tattoos, I wonder: Are we witnessing the end of the office dress code?
At PricewaterhouseCoopers, a decision made earlier this year certainly nudges the societal weather vane closer towards this outcome. In June, the top-end firm abandoned its ‘modern professional’ dress code, replacing it with … nothing.
That’s right. In place of a new set of guidelines, the company now simply leaves it to employees to use their best judgement and wear what works best for them, while also being respectful and appropriately attired to meet clients and colleagues.
This contrasts noticeably with an incident at the same company’s office in the UK, where Nicola Thorp, a temp receptionist, was sent home after refusing to wear heels. It drew a lot of negative publicity for PwC and prompted widespread discussion about the purview of employers in enforcing gender specific or objectively oppressive dress codes on their workers.
Sue Horlin, PwC’s new human capital leader in Australia, explained to Business Insider that they believe their change in policy will give them an edge in the war for talent, stating “we want the same creative, innovative and diverse people that all the other companies are chasing.”
For HR professionals like Horlin, it’s a topic that treads a fine line between hot-button issues of gender equality in the workplace, and policies that ensure a company presents a unified and professional front to the world
“There has been a dramatic change very recently,” says Susan Scafidi, a law professor at Fordham University. “We are moving into an era where personal expression is going to trump the desire to create a corporate identity.”
But does a more casual approach to work dress, championed at places like Google, actually lead to more productive workplace environments?
A 2015 study at California State University found the opposite is true. Wearing more formal clothes “encourages people to use abstract processing more readily than concrete processing,” according to their findings. In layman’s terms, there is evidence to suggest that dressing professionally helps us behave more professionally too.
So what are your thoughts? Has your workplace considered an office dress code policy change? And if so, how has it effected your office?
To put things in perspective, here’s what the HRMonline team wore to work today:
As you can see, we’re a pretty casual crowd.
We moved to a “dress to impress” policy over a year ago. We ask our people to look in the mirror before coming to work and if they’re impressed with what they see, what they’re wearing will be perfect. And if they’re going on client site, we ask that they consider the dress code that’s in place there. This policy provides freedom and flexibility and everyone looks great!
Whilst I think that all companies do need to review the relevance of their standard to their industry/clientele, I do think there still a need for some form of code otherwise what’s to preclude people turning up in track pants and a tee shirt? I have worked in a business where one employee did come to work like that (and scruffy old tee and pants at that) but because there was no written code/policy/expectation then it does make it hard to challenge that. I’ve also seen the same kind of thing happen on casual Friday, even so far as men… Read more »
While I accept personal freedom and style, and that being adult about is about having the choice, however the choices made are not always the best. As @Sharlene along with many of us would know common sense to one, is not to another. So an assumption that adults should know what is required or appropriate, other than in institutions like the Defence Force, is yet to be seen. Hence there does need to be some guidelines, that help our employees in making their wardrobe or hygiene decisions. Further to this there are still issues where safety can be compromised, or… Read more »
I was at one of then Big 5 chartered accounting firms for 4 years and during that time the firm went from a very conservative dress policy to a flexible dress policy. Interestingly, while everyone loved the flexible dress policy at first, ultimately most people found it too ambiguous and went back to business dress, although not as formal as before. Only the auditors really benefitted as they could dress for the client site and not stand out as much. My work has always been job market facing and I really believe people want some guidance so they know what… Read more »
Today’s society still bases initial first visual impressions. Dealing or interacting with clients needs to have some form for neat and professional attire. This doesn’t mean it is the most productive form of attire to fulfil the particular role. Work attire can vary dependent on the organisation/business standards. A majority of employees would prefer some form of guidelines to ensure they are giving the industry/organisation the look it requires. The organisation I currently work in provides employees with several options to ensure a certain professional standard is maintained yet still provides employees with the opportunity to be creative within these… Read more »