Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!sdd.hp.com!hplabs!hpfcso!hpfelg!beth
From: beth@hpfelg.HP.COM (Beth Crespo)
Newsgroups: comp.software-eng
Subject: Re: Dress code
Message-ID: <3440008@hpfelg.HP.COM>
Date: 13 Jul 90 19:44:12 GMT
References: <847@meaddata.mead.UUCP>
Organization: HP Elec. Design Div. -FtCollins
Lines: 45

>/ hpfelg:comp.software-eng / nxh@mead.UUCP (Nobuya Higashiyama) /  9:31 am  Jul 12, 1990 /
>There was a discussion a few weeks ago about the impact of cubicle vs. office
>on productivity.  I'd like to extend the discussion to the topic of dress code.
>Some of the questions I have are:
>
>1. Does the presence/absence of dress code affect your productivity as a soft-
>   ware engineer?
The existance of a dress code would have a negative effect on my productivity.
I would greatly resent an employer who judged my performance by the kind
of clothing I wear rather than by the work I do; such a company would,
in my opinion, be more interested in surface appearance than real results.
Why would you want a dress code for professionals who are not in daily
contact with customers? 
 

>2.  Will the dress code be a factor in choosing which company to work for?  If
>    so, how much?
I strongly prefer NOT to work for a company with a dress code; I feel it is 
a leading indicator of a stagnant mind set. Also, I would have to 
spend money on clothing that I don't like; I would rather spend my
money on things I enjoy.  Unless the company provides the clothing...
but I don't think your proposing uniforms...are you?
 
>3.  What are the degrees of dress code you will feel tolerable?  Requiring a
>    tie or a dress is one thing, but perhaps prohibiting jeans and sneakers
>    is another?
I could agree with a dress code that says you must wear clothing
to the office. Anything more is a pointless game. Why do you think
jeans or sneakers should be prohibited? What benefit is there to a dress? 
If you put my coworkers in dresses they would really be unhappy; most of them
are wearing shorts and sneakers now. Oh...perhaps, you meant only the women 
should wear dresses ... sir, please explain yourself. 

Does anyone work for a company that actually has a dress code? 

When I drive past the Boulder-IBM facility on my way to work, I see lots
of fellows wearing ties -  does IBM require white-shirt and tie? If there
are any professional women, are they required to wear dresses? Is it an 
explicit rule or due to social pressure? What "penalty" is there if you 
wear pants instead of a dress? how about jeans? 

>I would appreciate any opinions on this (post or email).  Thanks in advance!
Your welcome,
Beth Crespo, HP EDD Productivity Engineer
These opinions are mine, Hewlett-Packard may or may not agree with them.