Casual Dress Code a Slippery Slope

Dressing down every day of the week will backfire soon [“More Firms Giving Workers a Dressing-Down They Like,” April 30].

First, most people need the differentiation between “work clothes” and “play clothes.” Otherwise, work productivity and effectiveness decline because they are not in “work mode” when they are wearing “play clothes.”

Second, employers will have a difficult time controlling the dress mode when some employees begin to take advantage of the relaxed rules and atmosphere and dress inappropriately. Employers are already being charged with allegations of discrimination and harassment; this will be another battleground.

Third, clients have certain expectations (reasonable or not) of professional dress that translate to confidence (or lack thereof) in the professionals’ expertise and credibility. This is particularly true with accountants and lawyers.

And speaking of lawyers, the courts have not yet dropped their standards of dress, so a lawyer must be ready to make an emergency court appearance. Khakis and boat shoes will just not cut it.

It’s just another Pandora’s box being unleashed in a society without boundaries.

STEPHANY YABLOW

Sherman Oaks

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