Office Dress Code - Questions

[MacroGuru]

Just asking around.

What is the dress code policy at your place of business?

Do you like said dress code?

If the job treated you well, but you got another offer with equal pay, but a more lax dress code would you leave?



Basically, here is the gist. I am a quasi developer/business systems analyst for an investor education company. I sit in a room all day, never see a "student" and I attend meetings where I am involved with the company maybe two to three times a week.

Current policy states, khakis or dress pants, with a collared shirt. Shirt can be untucked if it has a straight edge bottom. Dress shoes, no tennis shoes.

Now our coaches, have been ruining it for the rest of the organization, and it is collapsing to Dress Pants, Shirts with collars tucked in, and dress shoes. Basically, I am sans tie and suit coat.

I hate dress codes, I write code, and analyze our issues, that is it, I could see forcing the IT team to do this if we interacted with the customer base, but we do not.

Guess it hurts, as I just had to drop close to $300 on close to make sure I comply. I am a khaki/polo kind of guy, and that is the bulk of my business casual. Other than that, I am cargo shorts and t-shirts.

[vtbub]

I could go naked, but I work at home.

[clintl]

We pretty much don't have one. Or if we do, it has never been communicated to us. Some people wear shorts and t-shirts to work (including me at times).

[JonInMiddleGA]

What is the dress code policy at your place of business?
See Vtbub's answer above.
Last other office environment was business casual or higher.

Do you like said dress code?
I've never met a dress code I "liked", but have seen some that I at least "understood".

If the job treated you well, but you got another offer with equal pay, but a more lax dress code would you leave?
In a fucking heartbeat.

[nilodor]

Where I work our group (Engineering) is supposed to appear professional, so even if you are not interacting with the public or other arms of the company, they can see you when they walk past your office or you walk by a meeting room. Therefore we fall under the dress shoes/khaki's/polo realm although it's frowned upon if you look ragged. I could really care less and I enjoy wearing a dress shirt and what not. The big bone of contention however is on different floors the rules are different. Other departments can wear jeans to work and have no real dress code as long as they don't pull a vtbub. Theoretically we are allowed to wear jeans to work if we have to go out into the field (read god forsaken no where with bugs the size of your head), but we have been to by our superiors that we should wear our business attire to work and change in the change rooms in the bottom of the tower before we leave. It's all very interesting and is the source of constant frustration among workers.

[Daimyo]

We don't have a dress code... (IT for university). I usually wear khaki's and a polo short. I wear "tennis shoes" because I take the train and have to walk a bit, but I usually try to find brown leather ones that look good with khaki's. Most people just wear shorts and t-shirts though it seems. I wouldn't mind at all working somewhere that required dress pants and button down shirts... I think that's how I'd dress now if it wouldn't make me stick out so much. Its good to look professional even if you don't directly interact with clients.

[Coffee Warlord]

Basically...Creative (sans the creative director) has no dress code. Shorts, t-shirts, sandals, all common. Account Execs & others are lax business casual. The usual Wear Whatever on fridays is there for them as well.

[Craptacular]

Nilodor pretty much described my situation. I'm an engineer, and we just need to look "professional" enough. We generally don't need to wear a tie or more formal wear unless we're going to meetings with clients (and usually only if it's with "executives" or higher-ups), or have known VIP visitors (like the governor). I wear khakis, polos, and "casual dress" shoes (not the kind you shine). I do sometimes wear jeans or shorts and a T-shirt on days I know I'll be spending in the field, or I'll change into them at the office before I leave.

[TroyF]

button down shirt (tucked in), slacks, dress shoes.

Doesn't really bother me and I like the rest of the job enough to where I probably would never think about leaving just because of the dress code.

I've been at jobs that required suit and tie on a daily basis, so I've had the upper end extreme, part of the reason this doesn't bother me as much as it does others at our office.

[Mr. Sparkle]

Basically...Creative (sans the creative director) has no dress code. Shorts, t-shirts, sandals, all common. Account Execs & others are lax business casual. The usual Wear Whatever on fridays is there for them as well.

Sounds to me like you work in advertising. If so, might I ask which branch?

[Radii]

I'll complain about most any dress code but I think as long as the dress code doesn't require a tie I'm not going to make it a huge factor.

If I didn't like my job, and was looking to leave, and had two equal paying job offers, but one had no dress code, that would play a huge role in my decision. It wouldn't be the top of the list(benefits and commute are at the top of my list) but its probably #3 behind those two things with salary and job function being the same.


Now, put a tie into the equation and I think it would take something in the realm of 25% more money compared to a business casual shop. Perhaps more.

[RPI-Fan]

I'm shocked by peoples' responses. I guess I'm just of the attitude that I'll make myself like whatever situation I'm in -- i.e. if I have to wear a tie, I'm doing myself a favor anyways, etc.

[Coffee Warlord]

Sounds to me like you work in advertising. If so, might I ask which branch?

Me? IT Director/Manager/Whatever You Want To Call It. Combination Web Developer, Network Admin, Programmer, and Guy Who Talks To Clients When They Want Goofy Stuff.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Now, put a tie into the equation and I think it would take something in the realm of 25% more money compared to a business casual shop. Perhaps more.

Honest to goodness, I'm not sure they've minted enough money in the history of the country that would have gotten me to accept a tie-required job.

[JonInMiddleGA]

... Guy Who Talks To Clients When They Want Goofy Stuff.

You too?

:D

[Draft Dodger]

well, when I was hired, it was business casual - khakis, collard shirt, no sneakers or sandals, but over the years they've gotten more and more relaxed about it to the point where most people are wearing jeans and sneakers and stuff. in fact, if I'm in the mood to "dress up" and wear my dockers and a nice shirt, I usually get asked if I'd had a job interview somewhere that day. the only thing you really can't get away with is shorts (except on weekends) or, sadly, outfits that a few chicks where that reveal a bit too much.

I kind of like dressing up from time to time, and there are certainly days I wish some of my co-workers were forced to dress a little less shabbily, but, for the most part, I think the lax dress code is pretty much a plus.

EDIT: I heard recently that some manager called the policy guy to get the official dress code policy, and was told - rather cryptically - "there currently is no dress code policy". part of me wants to think that they just decided to quietly bag it altogether, but another part of me thinks they are redoing it and the clampdown will someday commence.

[Radii]

Honest to goodness, I'm not sure they've minted enough money in the history of the country that would have gotten me to accept a tie-required job.


Before I had a family to support, I think I would probably have said the same thing. Today? Anything has its price. In the ideal world, this would be understood to be a temporary job until we got in the financial position we wanetd to be in, but honestly at this point, I think it would be worth the misery(and misery is an understatement. Absolute fucking nightmare every single day is what I mean to say here) for financial peace of mind as long as I at least enjoyed the work.

[Coffee Warlord]

You too?

:D

Hooo yeah. Yay advertising agency clients. :)

[Peregrine]

During the day, my office is khakis and collared shirt, but since I work at night, jeans and a t-shirt is allowed for me. :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Hooo yeah. Yay advertising agency clients. :)

LOL, I'm with ya.

The problem with doing the impossible once is that it becomes expected of you ;)

[Cringer]

I'm a trucker, we can be naked at the office.

[Coffee Warlord]

LOL, I'm with ya.

The problem with doing the impossible once is that it becomes expected of you ;)

Hell, our Account Execs are worse than our clients for that kinda shit.

[wade moore]

Ours is that you need to wear at least khaki's, a collared shirt (polo is ok), but it needs to be tucked in...

To me this is COMPLETELY reasonable.. I think that people who freak out about this are just being silly.. there are VERY good reasons for it (customers in ANY business may come into the office, it keeps a 'safe' environment, etc).. I personally usually where dress slacks and a button up shirt.. and often wear a tie 'just because'...

[jeff061]

I used to have the same dress code as you, button up collared shirt khakis and all that. I'm in IT and I work at the customers site, so while I dislike it, I understand it.

Recently someone filed a grievance with the union(the customer, not my company) since they felt some people(women in particular) didn't have to dress as nicely as others. Naturally all that changes is now we have to wear neck ties and no more casual Fridays. Sigh... unions....

With my last company the only dress code was to try not to have TOO many holes in your clothes. I miss that.

[kiwiLB57]

We are suit pants, dress shoes and tucked in collared business shirt. We have casual fridays which has descended into jeans and a collared shirt and casual shoes. I no longer shave on Fridays either and have missed shaving on Thursdays as well. I am rather hirsute, so this is a biggie.

My last two employers were full suit and tie, but have moved away from that into the same smart business casual that we do at my new employer as modified by individual client expectations. PwC (aka the Evil Empire) are still in the full blown testicles in your chest outfit, with everybody looking distinctly pissed off in the middle of summer.

kiwiDE57

[Coder]

Khakis would be considered casual here, though we don't really have a dresscode.

I've never worn shorts to work though, but jeans or any kind of casual pants work just as well as the suit-guys. Working with IT doesn't mean I have to meet customers though, and our receptionists who deal with customers have "uniforms" (basically suits).

Some of the executives have suits and ties, but I think it's more of a generational thing. Most of us under 35 wear pretty casual stuff all the time, no matter what kind of meetings are going on during the day.

[Marc Vaughan]

We are very restrictive at SI and insist that people do wear clothing ... basically so long as it covers them up enough that no one throws up then it's cool here ...

You do get the micky taken if you turn up in a suit though

;)

[Wolfpack]

No dress code here. I'm currently in a t-shirt and shorts. I certainly hope my next job would be similar in laxity. I can barely tolerate "business casual" and anything worse I would have to pass on because I have one suit that I probably don't fit into anymore.

[Hammer755]

While my company's official dress code is business casual, there is quite a mix of different fashion styles that I encounter during any given day. I work in my company's corporate tower, where the CEO and all the VP's work, so there's quite a few people who still go the full suit and tie route. Most of the people I work with, myself included, were transferred here from one of our regional offices (which no longer exist) where the dress code was significantly more lax.

Our official policy is that jeans are acceptable on Fridays, but several folks in my group wear them every day without anybody saying a word. Then there's a small contingent of people who are left from the days when the suit was the dress code. Those guys don't go full out with the suit still, but they still wear dress shirts, slacks, and dress shoes.

I personally have gotten so used to Dockers that I wear them even on Fridays, plus I find them more comfortable than blue jeans anyway. The dress code is about the last thing on my list of reasons to change jobs. Sometimes I wish that companies would go back to a more formal dress, as to me a suit seems much more professional than a polo shirt and khakis.

[RPI-Fan]

I personally have gotten so used to Dockers that I wear them even on Fridays, plus I find them more comfortable than blue jeans anyway.

Amen. I never, ever, understood the "comfort" of jeans!

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

The position I currently hold requires business formal dress from September through May. I am discouraged from wearing pantsuits, the bosses prefer the most formal of business dress - skirts for the women. As the only female executive, I tend to just ignore them. I think it's a tad sexist, but it makes it all the more fun when I wear a pantsuits and heeled sandals and get funny looks from the COB. He's quite old fashioned.

In the summer, thankfully, we are business casual. Right now I can only imagine dealing with maternity suits, stockings and 110+ degree heat. I'd be way more bitchy than normal. :)

The dress code isn't a big deal for me - more of a minor irritation sometimes. There are other benefits here that outweigh any negatives generated from the dress code.

The dress code for my new job wil be whatever the baby hasn't puked on. :D

[Draft Dodger]

The position I currently hold requires business formal dress from September through May. I am discouraged from wearing pantsuits, the bosses prefer the most formal of business dress - skirts for the women. As the only female executive, I tend to just ignore them.

mmmm, pantsuits


The dress code for my new job wil be whatever the baby hasn't puked on


um, never mind.

;)

[Toddiec]

Slacks, Dress shirt, tie. Fridays we get to dress down with slacks and a polo shirt. Important meeting days mean time to break out the suit.

Do I like it? Do I have a choice? 70% of my job is IT stuff so I would love to dress like casual Friday all the time. I love it when I have to crawl under a desk in a white dress shirt.

Would I go somewhere else for a relaxed code? Probably not. I have become used to putting a tie on every day and actually feel kind of wierd when I go to work without one.

[Logan]

I work for a branch of the US Treasury Department. When we're in the office (NYC), it's dress pants with a dress shirt or khakis with a polo, and no sneakers. When we work on-site at a bank, we match whatever the bank employees wear (usually a full suit).

Personally, I wear the dress shirt/dark pants when I'm in the office, even though I could be dressing down some more. I really wouldn't mind wearing a suit and tie all the time, as I just like the look much better.

I'm actually kind of surprised with how few people around NYC wear suits these days. Granted, I've only been in the working world for a couple months (and summer might have something to with it), but a lot of people (outside of Wall Street) are very dressed down.

[MacroGuru]

I have to say WOW....these responses actually shock me. I don't know why. I guess I expected from the way we handle our day to day interactions on the board here, I assumed (Which I shouldn't be doing) a more relaxed crowd.

But to me, it also shows a paradigm shift in the world of business, as we are moving away from the Internet and Start Up mentality that was out there, to what is the standard business mentality I have always seen my father and the traditional world follow.

Anyways, I guess I could have it worse, thank you all for your responses.

[Coffee Warlord]

I despise ties. Dressy clothes I don't mind at all, until you get to the level of coat/tie. Then I cannot stand it, mainly 'cause I find them to be the most uncomfortable (and retarded) articles of clothing ever invented by man.

[Logan]

I despise ties. Dressy clothes I don't mind at all, until you get to the level of coat/tie. Then I cannot stand it, mainly 'cause I find them to be the most uncomfortable (and retarded) articles of clothing ever invented by man.

It was definitely invented by a woman. :)

[Airhog]

Our dress code is no shorts, or open toed shoes. I usually wear slacks, since I find them more comfortable then jeans, and I think they look nicer. We have to wear special blue overcoats for ESD protection, so you can wear a t-shirt and it doesnt really matter...

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

It was definitely invented by a woman. :)
I'm going to have to disagree, a tie was clearly invented by a man. What other article of clothing, by design, points to your crotch? :D

[Craptacular]

I'm going to have to disagree, a tie was clearly invented by a man. What other article of clothing, by design, points to your crotch? :D
No, it was invented by a woman after a man invented high heels. I'll be happy to go back in time and kill both of them, once I get the DeLorean back from the shop.

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

No, it was invented by a woman after a man invented high heels. I'll be happy to go back in time and kill both of them, once I get the DeLorean back from the shop.
I must be odd. I like wearing high heels. They don't bother me at all.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I must be odd. I like wearing high heels. They don't bother me at all.

Px pls,k, thx.




:D