Are workplace dress codes slipping?

10:13 PM Thursday Feb 10, 2011

Employees at some of the country's biggest law and accountancy firms say many new graduates now wear particularly inappropriate clothes and need schooling in what not to wear.

Angela Stone, who is hired by companies as a fashion consultant, says graduates fail to realise how important image is to their employer.

What are dress standards like in your workplace and what are your pet hates when it comes to how people dress at work? Share your views:

Camel (Tauranga) | 08:22AM Friday, 11 Feb 2011

I think you have to be careful with a perceived "appropriate" dress as it could single certain people out for unfair treatment. For example, could a manager tell a fat person they can't wear a certain outfit but their skinnier colleague can? Would larger-breasted women have to bandage their boobs down? Is requiring women to wear full make-up discriminatory - and should they receive an appearance allowance if they have to look all dollybird? And if there is a jewellery code, is it discrimination to let married people wear wedding rings but not anyone else?

oldman (New Zealand) | 08:22AM Friday, 11 Feb 2011

Yes, exposed muffin top midriff are a no no.

PM (Newmarket) | 08:22AM Friday, 11 Feb 2011

I think I am quite lucky to work in an environment where our dress code is what is comfortable to wear. It can be jeans and company t/shirt, trousers and shirt, skirt and blouse or a dress and my pet hate is 2 or 3 piece suit as I find them boring and old fashioned.