Article courtesy of SBAM Approved Partner ASE
By George Brown
What does Labor Day mark? Most people will tell you, “The end of summer and the start of a new school year.” Most employers will tell you, “The end of summer hours and summer dress.”
Before you toss out summer dress, you may want to evaluate what worked, what didn’t and what you might want to keep in the dress code going forward.
In December, 2010, CareerBuilder surveyed more than 2,400 employers and 3,900 workers nationwide to identify 10 key trends in business, hiring, work culture, and job search. One of the top employment trends to watch involved dress. The survey shared that employers are becoming more relaxed about set schedules and dress codes as they take measures to enhance the overall work experience. One-third of the employers planned to offer more flexible work arrangements such as telecommuting and alternate schedules. Fifteen percent reported they would provide a more casual dress code.
More recently a study by MTV called “No Collar Workers” focuses on Gen Y’s perspectives about the workplace and careers. This poll revealed just how different Gen Y workers are from their Baby Boomer forefathers/mothers. Among other things, millennials want flexible work schedules, more “me time” on the job, and nearly nonstop feedback and career advice from managers. AND, they really want to be able to wear jeans at work.
So, if you agree that the time might be right to overhaul your everyday dress code, you may want to review Captivate Network’s latest Office Pulse report. The report findings, based on responses from more than 600 white-collar workers in North America, focused on office attire that white-collar workers consider acceptable and distracting. The opinions vary by demographic factors, including age, gender and professional status.
“Our survey results show that office attire can be a major distraction for some employees,” said Mike DiFranza, president of Captivate Network. “Companies must navigate the shifting definition of what’s acceptable to wear in the workplace to minimize distractions without turning employees off with overly stringent policies.”
The results, some of which follow, include the percentage of workers who reported seeing an item worn or shown in the office, as well as who finds it acceptable and who finds it distracting.
Cleavage
45 percent of people report seeing cleavage in the office
Who finds it acceptable: 45 percent of senior managers
Who finds it distracting: 87 percent of senior managers
Bare legs
49 percent of people report seeing bare legs in the office
Who finds it acceptable: 58 percent of those over 50 years old
Who finds it distracting: 72 percent of men
Tattoos
45 percent of people report seeing tattoos in the office
Who finds it acceptable: 67 percent of 35-49 year olds
Who finds it distracting: 61 percent of those over 50 years old
Short skirts
29 percent of people report seeing short skirts worn in the office
Who finds it acceptable: 21 percent of mid-level and junior managers
Who finds it distracting: 76 percent of senior managers
Golf attire
53 percent of people report seeing golf attire worn in the office
Who finds it acceptable: 53 percent of women
Who finds it distracting: 16 percent of junior mangers
Men in shorts
31 percent of people report seeing men wear shorts in the office
Who finds it acceptable: 16 percent of men
Who finds it distracting: 52 percent of women
Tight clothing
32 percent of people report seeing tight clothing worn in the office
Who finds it acceptable: 28 percent of those over 50 years old
Who finds it distracting: 85 percent of women
See-through clothing
14 percent of people report seeing see-through clothing worn in the office
Who finds it acceptable: 19 percent of men
Who finds it distracting: 91 percent of women
Men in flip-flops
13 percent of people report seeing men wear flip-flops in the office
Who finds it acceptable: 16 percent of men think they are acceptable for other men
Who finds it distracting: 55 percent of women find them distracting on men
Women in flip-flops
30 percent of people report seeing women wear flip-flops in the office
Who finds it acceptable: 19 percent of women think they are acceptable for other women
Who finds it distracting: 46 percent of senior mangers find them distracting on women
For more tips on office dress codes, tune into SBAM’s audio seminar with Clark Hill PLC. Or, for help drafting a dress code for your employee handbook, click here.