Dear Natalie,I work for a company that has a 'dress-down' day each Friday. One Friday a month they have decided to ask for a £1 donation to go into the firm's social fund. Money from the fund is used to subsidise a few events during the year.
The dilemma is this - are they allowed to ask for a donation as it is the company policy anyway, and if it goes to the social fund are they allowed to 'name and shame' the people who don't pay up?
It is a firm of about 100 people, and on days when they do a donation for charity they struggle to raise £30.
DK
Steve Miller:
First of all, as you may know from my other comments I cannot bear these dress down days. It never adds value to the bottom line and I often think most employees can’t stand them either. If it is a contractual term, albeit a pathetic one, that you have to pay £1 donation each month then you do it.
If not, they are wrong to enforce this. As for naming and shaming you, I would let them know that you feel it is inappropriate and you feel bullied by it. To be honest, a business should have better things to concentrate on rather than administering a silly scheme like this. In addition, often the social club of a business is only used by the minority of employees so what’s the point?
BLOGATHON CHALLENGE QUESTIONS
1. Why does everyone in London wear black when there is such a beautiful range of rainbow colours available throughout the seasons? It's depressing and negative. Do you think the workforce would be happier if everyone was allowed to wear clothes of their choice to work?
2. There was a rule in one place I worked that you weren't allowed to wear clothes that were of a "sexual nature"- how would you define this? Can I not rock up in crotchless p@nties and nip belts like Jodie Marsh?
Write your comment and if you wish, please state your profession and nationality, then press publish.
Comments (5)
Posted by Ros Taylor | July 23, 2007 4:41 PM
Ros Taylor:
Dress down days can be good for inducing a little relaxation at work and if no clients are around then why not. Stone washed denim and micro tops might not go down terribly well with that visiting corporate CEO. But this should be voluntary. If it takes a suit to make you feel more efficient then have the freedom to wear it anytime!
As for donations they should be voluntary too. There seems to be a psychological principle I have noticed in companies over the years and it is this - as soon as you demand anything then there is an equal force generated that resists that demand.
Ask people what they would like to do for charity and you will be overwhelmed with ideas. Ask people what they would like to do socially and then create an agenda of their suggestions. You will not of course get a full turnout for everything but at least people can attend their selected event.
Posted on July 23, 2007 16:41
Posted by Steve Miller | July 24, 2007 7:43 AM
That is exactly why I would ban dress down days. Work should not be overly relaxed. Companies that offer dress down Fridays often report that the weekend starts early. People should be smart at all times in business.
Posted on July 24, 2007 07:43
Posted by Deborah Meredith | September 24, 2007 2:07 PM
I'm due to appear on What Not To Wear where they were desperate to get me out of my corporate suits and into 'softer' clothing. That's all very well and the new clothes are lovely but I just don't feel business-like in them.
I think you really do need to find a balance between how you feel and how others perceive you. I personally feel more confident and professional in a suit.
Apparently, prior to What Not to Wear, people thought of me as intimidating and stand-offish, now they feel I'm more approachable. The only thing about me that's changed is my appearance.
It's an interesting experiment but I don't think it will be too long before the suits come back out of the wardrobe.
I think as long as a person is smartly dressed and clean then that's what matters. Dress-down days are a nightmare because in my experience all 'rules' are ignored and people often wear the most inappropriate clothing to work.
As for why do people in London wear black - I think that a lot of people feel pressurised to conform and black is the simplest (and cheapest) way to conform. Wearing something in a bright colour makes you stand out from the crowd and you need to have the confidence to carry that off.
Posted on September 24, 2007 14:07
Posted by Deborah Meredith | September 24, 2007 2:09 PM
I'm due to appear on What Not To Wear where they were desperate to get me out of my corporate suits and into 'softer' clothing. That's all very well and the new clothes are lovely but I just don't feel business-like in them.
I think you really do need to find a balance between how you feel and how others perceive you. I personally feel more confident and professional in a suit.
Apparently, prior to What Not to Wear, people thought of me as intimidating and stand-offish, now they feel I'm more approachable. The only thing about me that's changed is my appearance.
It's an interesting experiment but I don't think it will be too long before the suits come back out of the wardrobe.
I think as long as a person is smartly dressed and clean then that's what matters. Dress-down days are a nightmare because in my experience all 'rules' are ignored and people often wear the most inappropriate clothing to work.
As for why do people in London wear black - I think that a lot of people feel pressurised to conform and black is the simplest (and cheapest) way to conform. Wearing something in a bright colour makes you stand out from the crowd and you need to have the confidence to carry that off.
Posted on September 24, 2007 14:09
Posted by AHRE | September 24, 2007 3:34 PM
Has everyone really weighed in in favor of suits? Maybe there's just a different attitude across the pond, but I'm still moderately shocked. Does wearing a stifling, hot, black suit make you smarter? Are you so insecure in your abilities that you need to define yourself by your clothing? Is the guy in khakis and a polo shirt really less valuable than the guy wearing a suit and tie?
I can understand concerns about "sexy" clothing distracting focus from the task at hand. I know it can distract mine. What I don't understand is that companies anywhere still think that you need to wear a wool suit to work a computer effectively. If your job involves sitting at a desk in an office (let's be honest - most of ours do), is there really a loss of productivity due to clothing? Sounds to me like you're using clothes as a scapegoat for a deeper problem - low morale, poor work ethic, habitual alcohol abuse over lunch, whatever.
The Angry HR Exec is a firm believer that the clothes don't make the man (or woman). Do your work, do it well, and don't cause a lawsuit. If you manage those things, I'm happy.
Posted on September 24, 2007 15:34