Topics

Introduction

Formal Business Dress Codes

Pros
Cons

Casual Business Dress Codes Pros
Cons

Conclusion

1/ Intoduction

Men’s Apparel Alliance (MAA) 2002: Survey in >200 companies

* 500 million $/year * 19%: Formal Business dress * Lehman Brothers Holdings

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) 2003:

* 58%: a casual day once a week
* 44%: casual Business dress

2/ Formal Business Dress Codes Pros

Literature: (Egodigwe, 2003; Lin, 2003; Sikes, 2002; Lee, 1998). Creates a “business focused” environment; Increases credibility; Professional behavior; Less inappropriate behavior by workers in an organization; Professional working environment; Positive first impression of being well “put together” Productivity; Perception of intelligence, based on outside appearance; Easier for human resources personnel to clarify dress code expectations; Less confusion on what is appropriate or inappropriate to wear.

3/ Formal Business Dress Codes Cons

literature (Egodigwe, 2003; Lin, 2003; Sikes, 2002; Lee, 1998).

Employees may be viewed as being “too superior” by clients or others; Suits may have negative connotations associated with them by customers; Suits are expensive to purchase; May be inappropriate in some business settings when dealing with customers; Ties, and other professional attire may be uncomfortable to wear for the entire work day;

4/ Casual Business Dress Codes Pros

literature (Egodigwe, 2003; “Casual Dress Code,” 2003; Sikes, 2002; Franz and Norton, 2001)

Shows flexibility with management; Ability to inexpensively boost employee morale; Breaks through social barriers and status; Creation of a friendly persona; Workers may be more at ease with fellow coworkers; Typically less expensive work wardrobes; Allows workers to be comfortable at their jobs

5/ Casual Business Dress Codes Cons

Literature: (Egodigwe, 2003; Sikes, 2002; Franz