Employees in favor of casual dress code, survey finds

Casual Fridays have become a thing of the past as employers relax dress codes across the country.

“Certainly, the days of suit, jacket and tie are over at most businesses,” said Robert Glazer, management consultant and author of “Elevate: Push Beyond Your Limits and Unlock Success in Yourself and Others.”

A survey conducted by employment recruiting agency Randstad USA found that some employees avoid getting jobs at places that never have a casual day at work.

“There is less definition around what exactly to wear on which days of the week,” said Traci Fiatte, CEO of non-technical staffing at Randstad. “I think it’s changed a lot, employees have a lot more control and a lot more choice.”

The survey also found employees are willing to give up a portion of their pay just to be comfortable in the workplace.

“People would be willing to sacrifice up to $5,000 in salary to dress casually,” Fiatte said.

For the right company in the right industry, dress codes should be relaxed, Glazer said.

“If you’re a software firm and you want people in there coding in t-shirts, in shorts and have their dogs and stuff, that’s great and that might work,” he said.

Even with the casual clothing takeover in the workplace, 65% of those surveyed said they’d still dress up for a job interview.

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