Suits
and ties are no longer the standard in most offices, despite attempts by some
employers to return to formal business dress.
More
than half of the 85 organisations surveyed by IRS Employment Review report that
their dress codes are either ‘smart casual’ or ‘relaxed’.
Although
flip-flops, bare midriffs and football shirts are still largely not permitted
in the workplace, chinos and smart polo shirts are becoming increasingly
acceptable.
However,
while dress codes themselves are becoming relaxed, the policies are becoming
more formal.
Dress/appearance
policies are operated by 63 respondents, the most common approach being to
include guidelines in the staff handbook.
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But
a rising number of employers (22 in this study) are writing dress code
regulations directly into their employment contracts. www.irsemploymentreview
