How to avoid a fashion clash at work

It’s not just social networking habits causing inter-generational friction in the workforce.

What to wear to work is the latest cause of conflict among baby boomer, Gen-X and Gen-Y workers.

Short skirts, tight trousers, excessive make-up and Zac Efron-style hair that whooshes across the face are just some of the fashion bugbears causing tension in offices around the city.

“Baby boomers think they’ve been working for the company for 25 years and don’t need to dress to impress anyone because they have that longevity while many Gen-Yers want to wear clothes that exude their personality in some way,” says Jodie Bache-McLean, education and training director for personal and professional development firm June Dally-Watkins.

“Gen-Xers seem to swing, dressing to suit their mood on the day.”

Bache-McLean says increasing numbers of companies are seeking advice on how to quell conflict over dress and presentation standards among staff.

“An organisation contacted us last week asking for help,” she says.

“The problem seemed to be that each generation had their own perception of the `casual Friday’ dress standard, resulting in a mish-mash of shirts tucked in, some out, trousers on the hip, skirts or jeans too tight, the `scene’ hair look, piercings back in and Cleopatra eye liner along with those more comfortable tent tops, baggy slacks and no make-up.”

Women feel more pressure to look good at work compared with men, according to a study by cosmetics firm The Heat Group.

In a poll of 500 women, 30 per cent reported suffering appearance-based discrimination at work and 18 per cent said they would resort to plastic surgery to boost career opportunities.

Dressing appropriately is also about attracting business and top talent to the organisation, says human resources consultant Naomi Ritchie.

“As the first point of contact for many candidates seeking a career with Queensland Teachers’ Credit Union, I feel it’s important for me to make a good impression, because they’re also interviewing us as an organisation,” Ritchie says.

“So, for example if you are wearing casual attire such as a T-shirt and jeans during an interview, it says a lot about the professionalism, or lack thereof, of your organisation.”

While style is good, Ritchie says it’s also important to be practical when it comes to work.

“Think about your place of work and what you want to convey to others, whether it’s your clients or colleagues, and if you can, also incorporate a bit of your own personal style,” she says.

Bache-McLean, who provides training and advice to accounting, engineering, retail and other firms on staff dress, presentation and communication, says the increasing conflict over appropriate dress in the workplace almost always stems from poor communication about standards.

“A policy might say `dress in a business manner’ or `no shorts’ or there may be a uniform to wear but there’s no policy on tattoos, piercings, make-up and that sort of thing,” she says. “Human resources needs to draw up benchmarks.”

Employers are entitled to set a dress code for staff, provided it is reasonable to the industry, and is applied to both men and women, and does not discriminate against race, religion or sexuality.

But Bache-McLean says it shouldn’t be a generic outfit of a navy suit and white shirt.

“The biggest mistake companies make is they design the uniform but don’t consult their staff beforehand,” she says.

“That’s when people lose their drive and confidence because they hate the way they look at work.”

TOP TIPS

* Dress to Match. Your personal presentation must match your organisation’s brand or public image.

* Keep it Covered. The more flesh you expose, the more likely you will be perceived as vulnerable and weak by others.

* Update the Wardrobe. This is for Baby Boomers: Donate everything that’s over three years old to St Vinnies or Lifeline. Your new look will raise your executive presence to greater heights.

* Make Casual Smart. Your company’s casual day is not an excuse to wear your most tattered jeans and T-shirts. You are still being observed on Fridays by the managers who will make decisions on your future.

* Draw Attention to the Right Things. Does your presentation distract the attention of customers and colleagues away from your company’s service or product offerings? The time and place to express your personality through clothes, make-up, hair and body piercings is on your own time.

* Jackets over Cardigans. Jackets dress up an outfit quickly.

* Darker colours are better for a corporate look. Select navy, black or dark grey. Avoid beige or brown because they are perceived as having less authority and power. Add individual touches with your accessories.

* Dress like the day you were interviewed. Now that you have the job, you are under even greater scrutiny. It’s even more important to present yourself as worthy of your role as well as future promotions.

* Set the standard. It only takes one. Set the example and suggest a dress code.

* Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.