Business Dress Codes 2024; Are they done and dusted?
The June Dally-Watkins organization received a call last week from a company manager who was pulling her hair out over her young employees ‘office clothes.’ Compared to the younger people in the office, apparently the manager had very different expectations to what clothes were appropriate. Yet another colleague called saying one of his young employees came to work sporting a nose piercing she didn’t have when he’d hired her.
It’s no coincidence both managers are Boomers, and that several of their most challenging employee relationships are with Gen Zers.
The woman runs a fairly conservative company, with frontline employees who are part of a customer-centric business. In other words, employee appearance and demeanour are crucial because they directly interact with customers, creating the first impression of the company. Her employees need to “look the part” to enhance the customer experience, maintain brand image, and encourage business credibility in the corporate world. We are not talking about Silicon Valley here. The dress code for Start Ups and tech companies can be ripped jeans and a tee-shirt with RTFM: Read The F*ing Manual for a good office laugh. Not so here.
Our male colleague needed help talking with his Gen Z. He didn’t want to offend her, he liked her, she fitted in well with the company in so many ways. But she had pierced her nose, and he felt that didn’t align with his Family Law practise.
Both bosses despaired.
What are expectational norms nowadays in the office? How can both newcomers to the business world and ‘old hands’ work out a way forward with their differences? The first step is to call JDW. We are here to help with intergenerational office expectations. The corporate wardrobe rules that once-upon-a-time everyone adhered to have altered. Certain companies have certain formalities and employers can appear intractable on their office dress policy. (OK, Boomer!). But there is a growing chasm between the expectations of both generations, and these outlooks need to be addressed. Everyone needs to make some, as we try to understand each other.
We’ve discussed this workplace generational dress code issue with Sophie Wade, a New York based expert in engaging and retaining Gen Zers.
She is the first to agree with JDW’s take on this matter. ‘Certain office dress codes, behaviours, and language are much more casual than three or even two decades ago. Accommodating four generations at an organization takes empathetic discussion to find compromises that work well enough for everyone. Understanding and articulating the culture of the company is the first step.’
An excellent point. What is your company’s dress code exactly? Have you articulated your company’s policy? Have your employees understood and accepted the dress standards? Sophie goes on to say that understanding is the next step. ‘Empathy skills help everyone understand the range of contexts with consequence represented across the workforce. Boomers are often most comfortable with formal environments and standard business routines. Gen Zers feel more effective surrounded by casual, more practical, tech-infused home-style settings.’
So once employees and employers establish an understanding that we all want what’s best for each other, where does JDW stand?
We would like younger employees to understand the unwritten rules. Professional codes of conduct that may be unaware of. These codes exist. Whether Gen Zers like it or not, there are social conventions surrounding office wear. JDW wants everyone to understand some of the unstated rules. For all genders and all sexualities, no matter what you identify as, the unwritten rules are:
No short skirts
No exposed shoulders
No spaghetti strap sun dresses
No shorts
No jeans
Tee-shirts are OK but need to be good quality and dressed up with a jacket for men and women. Absolutely JDW encourages individual style! Self-expression within these parameters is fantastic! Purple or blue hair? Hmm, maybe get some second opinions on that from colleagues at work, especially if you are a frontline worker. Visible arm tattoos? Ask! Check out where your boss stands on that. Maybe your boss is willing to take the leap on accepting exposed tattoos. Or perhaps tattoos or coloured hair don’t reflect the conservative professionalism in their business. Communicate. Find out.
With all things, for all people, manners matter. At JDW we value kindness and consideration above all else. Kindness and consideration are two values that create good manners. And good manners never go out of style.
Welcome to our series of blogs on preparing to enter the working world. Transitioning into the workforce can be a daunting prospect. That space between finishing school or university and nailing your job interviews. That place of mental adjustment in the first months of your job. School and work have vastly different expectations. So how do you do your best, adjust, fit in and shine? Whether you or your child are moving towards the working world, or job interview process, we hope you enjoy this series of blogs helps.
Born roughly between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z’s are between 12 and 27 years old. This generation is different to the Millennials who came before them. They have a unique set of perspectives and expectations that the June Dally-Watkins training team has been well briefed on. Whether you are a Millennial, Gen Z or Boomer we’d love to help you navigate your way through your corporate etiquette dilemmas, or train up for the often unwritten rules around the Do’s and Don’ts in the workplace.
Sophie Wade is the author of Empathy Works, Embracing Progress.
Drop us a line at June Dally-Watkins any time, with any questions. We are here to help you navigate. It’s what we do.