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Federal News Radio
Office Attire:
The end isn't near, it's here!
By Mike Causey
Tuesday - 8/12/2014
Sent with this comment from a CNO reader: “Casual Friday” has taken on
a whole new meaning in recent years. My husband sees fashion statements
from tourists daily. One recent eye-popper was a visitor in red,
white and blue Bermuda shorts and a green and yellow shirt. I
haven’t been down there recently just to pull up a bench to
observe the fashion parade. I’m long overdue...
Now, to the column:
When federal agencies switched to "casual" dress Fridays decades ago,
they meant well. Nobody was sure what would happen, but it seemed worth
trying. The argument was how bad could it get, right?
Backers predicted it would boost-morale. That it would level the
playing field in the office and the agency. Boss and grunt would be the
same.
Others warned that for some, dressing themselves is a slippery slope:
All downhill with a brick wall at the finish.
Now, we know.
There are still some places in government where peer pressure and
dress-for-success-rules prevail: The Secret Service, DEA, FBI. But ...
There are also agencies where the incoming crew looks like survivors of
a tornado that hit a homeless shelter.
Last week we did our annual, mid-summer fashion review column. It was
started by a Kentucky-based fed who said her IRS office looks like the
audience at a viewing of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" movie.
Even though August is supposed to be a slow month, we got lots of
response. Including:
"If you haven't received emails concerning
inappropriate clothing, [it's] because attire doesn't matter anymore.
Now that the latest generation has arrived — generation X or Y or
whatever — rules concerning proper attire are obsolete. My new
supervisor, at least 25 years younger than me, comes to the office in
tank tops or with her waistline exposed and I've met with her
supervisor who was dressed in a sweaty T-shirt, shorts and sneakers.
This must mean it's time for me to retire, but I've got a few more
years to go." No Name.
"I have fond memories of going to the midnight
showing of the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show.'
"As far as fashion tips, we are a pretty well
dressed bunch in the this office, and the AC keeps it cool, sometimes
to the point of needing a sweater.
"The only fashion tip that gets to me is the
flip-flop. The slap, slap, slap down the hallway. I am not sure when
flip-flops became formal dress wear, It is amazing the nice dresses
that are accompanied by beach wear. Just because flip-flops have
sparkles on them, do not make them dress shoes." Suffering In Silence.
"Flip-flops in the office and the hallways of my
agency are my work-day nightmare. It's bad enough to have to see
people's generally flabby fish-like feet lumber along, but you get the
audio warning of their approach as they
scuff-slap/scuff-slap/scuff-slap as their wearers come near and while
they wander ever-so-slowly away. Flip-flops are for the beach, poolside
and when it's time to wash the boat. They DO NOT have any place in a
professional office environment." Mark in Maryland.
"I am close to retirement now and by working in Real
Estate and Facilities I see it all in our agency. Our Friday casual day
has spread to the entire week! Extra-Large women with tennis shoes,
spandex capris and an XX-large T-shirts look like they are planning to
mow the yard. Men with cargo shorts, high-top white socks and tennis
shoes look like little boys whose momma dressed them for the
playground. Others are literally too big for their britches, and sit
with their belts and pants un-zipped at their desks. What are these
folks thinking. These sightings are not at a call site but at public
buildings. They are not even appropriate for Casual Friday let alone a
Wednesday!" Speechless In Carolina.
Read this article with a nearly useless factoid, as well as others, at Federal News Radio
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