Will casual Fridays become casual summers?
August 5, 2008 by Fred HosierPosted in: In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, That's how they do it in ______
If HR took a poll today asking whether employees would like to extend casual Fridays to cover every day of the summer, there’d be a lot of support for dressing down at work for three months.
Just such an arrangement may be coming to United Nations headquarters in New York City.
The U.N. has told its New York staff to ditch wool business suits for August as its thermostats will be turned up to 77 degrees in most places, except 75 degrees in conference rooms.
It’s a trial run of a program that the U.N. hopes will save $100,000 in energy costs.
If the trial is a success, thermostats will be turned down 5 degrees in winter. A year-round change could save $1 million.
The U.N. is encouraging “business casual dress” without coats and ties.
Of course, the U.N. is known for negotiating difficult situations around the world. We wonder how they’ll negotiate the definition of “business casual” for employees.
Has your company turned up thermostats and loosened the dress code this summer? If so, let us know about it in the comments section below.
August 8th, 2008 at 9:19 am
We do not deal with the public therefore do not have a strict dress code. It is “Casual Friday” every day of the week. The only exception is that blue jeans are allowed only on Fridays.
August 8th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
casual and casual nice is the key. we have been dressing casual nice for over 20 years in our office. only when we appear in court or represent our company with city or county matters do we put on suit tie etc.
casual to some folks can be “way out” in their dress code.
casual nice requires collars on shirts. pleaded pants, not mid drift not a lot of skin showing etc.
this helps employees financially (not worrying about new suit suit coat etc purchases) all employees in warehouse where same uniform cleaned and paid for by company, again no wear and tear on personal clothing.
we buy lands end shirts with company logo and are very open with each other if we feel dress is too sloppy.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:16 am
We have had business casual for the last two summers. We are required to go back to business casual on any day there is a meeting in the office with others outside the office attending. The employees really appreciate it, and we have had only minor problems with making sure the attire remains appropriate. We too require collared shirts and jeans are allowed only on Fridays.