Significant shifts have happened over the past decade in workplace attire. Companies have adopted casual dress policies to attract and retain employees, especially these high-tech workers who expect to dress down. Recently, several organizations have adopted to a professional code of dress, with some using corporate attire. Other companies use casual attire because such attire currently contributes to higher employee morale and productivity. Given that corporations see a link between workplace attire and other workplace results that are tied to profitability, it is not surprising that much of the research on workplace attire has focused the appropriate workplace attire.
Many businesses believe that it is necessary to establish new dress codes. Some businesses argue that they experienced productivity after allowing their employees to dress more casually. Others argue that relaxed attire promotes a certain laxness in workplace behavior. In order to improve the profitability some companies allow employees to work in grunge jeans, T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, sweat pants, piercings and flip-flops. This is so because the proper workplace attire was becoming too liberal and many employers believed that such attire was beginning to affect employee performance. As a result some companies have reinstated suit and tie rules, and others allowed skirts and dress in the workplace. There are many benefits to a casual dress code because it increases employee morale and productivity and the opportunity to use casual dress as a recruitment and retention tool. These are examples of business formal dress to be used during interviews and their prices range from $20 to $200 depending on the shop and quality.
However, designing a dress code in the workplace can be an employer’s most difficult challenge. This is so because dress codes are used to create, establish or maintain an appropriate image for a company. Application and enforcement of dress code can lead to employee friction because improperly designed dress codes can also create legal challenges for the company. While a dress code may foster a positive work environment, it must be carefully designed. In the current marketplace, a premium is placed on corporate image and business attire. This is so because employees are advised to dress for success in order to build careers
In order for companies to facilitate safety in the working place, they should ensure employees have appropriate attire. This will help to reduce the embarrassment and distractions caused by inappropriate attire. Employers should have dress codes that explain appropriate workplace attire. These guidelines are mainly shared with employees at the time of hiring. In case the workplace does not have a dress code, it is the employee’s responsibility to observe the appropriate dress of the employer and other employees and dress accordingly (Garbato 6). Some employees may be needed to wear uniforms, protective gear, identification badges or other special dress requirements. Therefore, dressing for success is significant on the job and critical in job interviews.
Research indicates that employees who dress more professionally are likely to be promoted. Similarly, they are believed to create better impressions with clients, colleagues and customers. Many companies create workplace attire in order to achieve the benefits of being professional in the work. However developing effective attire in the workplace is an issue. In some cases, employees oppose dressing codes and in the other case dress codes rigidly associate more formal with increased professionalism.
The business formal dress is seen as a success because different levels of formality in attire demonstrate various professional traits. For example, while some traits such as authoritativeness may be projected by more formal business attire, other traits such as friendliness may be projected by more casual business attire. Business students about to enter the workplace strongly prefer business casual over casual workplace attire because the majority supports corporate dress codes (Peter 355). Although different companies have different workplace attire, employees should use the company details to help them determine what type of attire to wear.
For instance, women’s corporate wear or business work uniforms are designed separately for companies that want to offer a unified corporate identity. Airline attendants offer a polished look in their corporate clothing. Companies such as real estate use corporate apparel such as blazers to identify their employees. The color for these attires varies from gray, black, navy and red among others. The prices for these workplace attire are also different depending on the places the employees go to shop. These companies also prefers different type of shoes and accessories as a workplace attire. These are some of examples of workplace attires that some companies would prefer their employees to wear.
In a recap, there is no specific workplace attire because different companies have different workplace attire for their employees while others do not have workplace attire. Companies prefer attires which will increase the employee morale and increase productivity. Similarly, different workplace attire will be used in different functions such as meetings, business party and interviews among others. Therefore, there are different business formal dress depending on the type of job and company.
Works Cited
Garbato, Debby. "Dressing Professionally Despite the Heat." Teller Vision 13.4 (2013): 6-3.
Peter, Cordon. "Professional Characteristics Communicated By Formal Versus Casual Workplace Attire." Business Communication Quarterly. 72.3 (2009): 355-360.
