PPB July 2020

Where Corporate Meets Casual A clean look for employees in front-facing roles, the Gear for Sports Seaport 1/4 Zip is made from a blend of 80-percent cotton and 20-percent polyester. A BIC Graphic exclusive, details include a concealed zipper, elbow patches, a contrasting inner collar and a faux leather zipper pull. Available in X-2XL in navy, charcoal and salt and pepper (shown). BIC Graphic NA PPAI 114187, S13 www.bicgraphic.com companies may feel compelled to allow a more relaxed dress code to make employees feel more comfortable when returning to work post-coronavirus. Hive, a cloud-based project management platform, says that we can expect to see most dress codes nixed entirely, though within reason. But there are other benefits to enforcing a more lax dress code aside frommaking employees feel comfortable—attracting new talent. Last year Dechert LLP, a law firm with 27 offices worldwide, announced it was adopting a casual dress code, even permitting the attorneys to wear jeans to work. It was a move designed to make the attorneys more appealing to their clients, Law reports, as well as attract younger talent to the firm. For companies looking to hire younger talent, the shift to casual could pose a win-win. But while there are clear benefits to enforcing a more tolerant dress code in the office, there are also some drawbacks. A recent article in The Atlantic notes how in the past, a person could return home from work, hang up their suit, dress, uniform, etc., and relax, both mentally and physically detaching from the work environment for the day. Now, it’s typical to cook dinner in the same jeans—or, for those working from home, sweatpants (and possibly pajamas)—they wore to work, never too far from their smartphone and other devices, which dulls the distinction between work and home; one may never totally be able to fully disconnect. Hive reports a brighter outcome, saying that for some businesses, the shift to working remote came with the realization that attire has less effect on the workplace than expected. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, few companies likely had policies surrounding proper dress when using videoconferencing platforms, specifically. A safe strategy is simply to adhere to the in-office dress code—at least from the waist up—when participating in video meetings. Penn Live compiled a list of Zoom “etiquette,” including just one suggestion for dress: don’t wear pajamas. POPSUGAR suggests that if you only have a few moments to get it together for a video call, opt for a simple t-shirt and layer on accessories, like glasses or jewelry. The Cut suggests that if you aren’t sure what to wear, turtlenecks are a go-to—they cover a larger area of the body, frame the face and can be an easy way to add a pop of color while livening up the wearer’s skin tone. But aside from these general suggestions, there’s much room left for interpretation—and an opportunity for brands to represent their teams and establish cohesion in smart, new and more comfortable ways. What Do Workers Think Of Employee Dress Codes? A survey by Randstad US of more than 1,200 employees representing all industries, including banking and finance, government, transportation, legal services, retail and advertising, revealed that casual dress is the new norm in the majority of workplaces. The survey also found that: • 79 percent report their current employer’s dress code policy is either business casual ( 26 percent ), casual ( 33 percent ) or non-existent ( 20 percent ) • 50 percent say they will wear business attire from the waist up and casual clothing from the waist down during video interviews Show employees or top clients you’re thinking of them with a custom tie . Made from 100-percent silk, this woven tie, featuring a twill weave, was custom- designed for Arrowhead Dental Group, with initial artwork submitted by distributor IC Group. Also available in 100-percent polyester (with a silk- like feel), design options include step and repeat (shown), stripes or 100-percent custom. Buffalo Bay / PPAI 111547, S4 www.buffalobay.com | JULY 2020 | 27 INNOVATE