Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!uccba!mead!gordon
From: gordon@mead.UUCP (Gordon Edwards)
Newsgroups: comp.software-eng
Subject: Re: Dress code
Message-ID: <856@meaddata.mead.UUCP>
Date: 16 Jul 90 12:31:33 GMT
References: <847@meaddata.mead.UUCP> <3440008@hpfelg.HP.COM>
Sender: usenet@mead.UUCP
Reply-To: gordon@mead.UUCP (Gordon Edwards)
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Organization: Mead Data Central, Dayton OH
Lines: 69


In article <3440008@hpfelg.HP.COM>, beth@hpfelg.HP.COM (Beth Crespo) writes:
|> >/ hpfelg:comp.software-eng / nxh@mead.UUCP (Nobuya Higashiyama) / 
9:31 am  Jul 12, 1990 /
|> > [Higgy's article deleted. Sorry. -gordon]

|> 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? 
|>  

While I have no love for a dress code, there are valid business reasons for
having one.  If your customers expect professional dress then it is smart 
business to "give the customers what they want."  I have personally witnessed
valid comments, by very intelligent people, be dismissed because of
their dress.
There is also the opinion that ones dress affects ones professionalism.  I
do not agree with this at all, but, if my customers belive this, then it's
worth putting on a tie.

|> 
|> 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?
|>  

The dress code is not a prime factor in my decision.  The job, money, and 
benefits would all come first.  Additionally, I think it has nothing to
do with 
a stagnant mind set.  If we (the technical people) were off MDC's main campus,
I don't think management would care if we wore toga's.

|> 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? 
|> 

Yes, Mead Data Central has recently introduced a mild dress code.  Simply put,
no jeans or sneakers and no shirts without collars (t-shirts, etc.).  If
meeting with a customer, throw in a tie. 

|> 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 once asked an IBM sales rep., and he said that the white shirts are 
required.

BTW, our customers are primarily law firms.  When is the last time you saw a 
lawyer arguing a case in jeans and sneakers?  I rest my case. :-)

--
Gordon Edwards                                         mead!gordon@uccba.uc.edu
Mead Data Central, Dayton OH                              ...!uccba!mead!gordon