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Federal News Radio
The last thong
of summer?
By Mike Causey
Friday - 8/29/2014
By tradition (at least for some traditionalists), today is the last day
they can wear white. Men must toss or store their straw boater hats
until spring. In many polite circles, Labor Day is the cutoff for tank
tops and sandals. In some, the cutoff is much sooner. And more
permanent. Anyhow ...
The question de jour is: Is there still a dress code at work,
particularly in federal offices? Or is every day casual Friday? What's
going to be the uniform of the day in your office starting next week?
According to some of our far-flung correspondents, the forecast is for
more of the same. Predictors are that the
let-it-all-and-then-some-hang-out culture will prevail. That every day
will be TMI in some places. Example:
Defense civilian writes: "I am completely speechless
no matter what time of year it is. Long gone is the premise to dress
for success. It's not just young people, it's mature people who should
know better … who wears large fluffy animal slippers to work? I saw
this and was speechless … especially after learning this person was the
department head. … What we need is a real dress code." C.C.
"I've worked in a variety of IRS offices from
Covington to Cincinnati and Detroit. … Now I rarely have to meet a
taxpayer in my new midwest location.
"I agree that people who have contact with the
public (should) project a more 'professional' image. … I take issue
with this notion that somehow throwing on a suit no matter how ill-
fitting and poorly tailored … somehow makes a person more professional.
I've seen people slouching … in suits that looked like togas … so
droopy they looked like some teenager on the street with low-slung
jeans. Or so tight … guys, just admit it. You're not 20-years old
anymore. Just because you can cinch the top of your trousers BELOW that
Fiat-sixed paunch you're lugging around these days, doesn't mean you've
still got that 32- inch waist.
"And ladies, spandex for those of us with aging BMIs
… just is NOT a good look. At least not in the workplace. That may be
judgmental, but it's truth, and believe me I freely acknowledge I'm one
who is not flattered by spandex. And when did it become commonplace for
bra strips to just be part of one's outerwear? … I'm talking about
women wearing their bras with totally backless shirts. … I don't want
to have to look at peoples' underwear while I'm trying to focus on
monthly, quarterly and annual reports … hard enough to process that
tedium without having to constantly battle nausea too, every time a
co-worker walks by with their flip-flops flapping and their horrible
toes waggling.
"Confession: I'm fond of my sneakers at work —
recurring foot problems make them the best shoes for controlling pain.
And working for the IRS these days is painful enough, without adding
aching feet.
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