If you have to wear a suit to work, you probably feel like everyone else in the world is allowed to dress down. But although 87 percent of American companies do allow casual dress, that number is declining, according to this year's benefits study by the Society of Human Resource Management,
In 1998, the figure hit a high of 97 percent; in 1999, it decreased to 95 percent. This year, the number of companies allowing casual dress is 10 percent lower than just two years ago.
The cause of the decline? We can put part of the blame on employees who arrive at the office in clothes more appropriate for a day of chores. According to a survey by Accountemps, a California-based staffing service, close to 40 percent of managers said they thought workers appeared too casual when dressing down. However, discarding a casual dress policy isn't the only solution. Companies should first try a dress code that...
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