Casual or not? Businesses strive for dress code balance

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Business clothes are no longer just suits and dresses. Closets in the Ozarks are filled with work clothes ranging from three-piece suits to capris to khakis.|ret||ret||tab|

Betty Lorton, business and industry specialist with University of Missouri Outreach and Extension, has observed a more relaxed attitude and informal approach to doing business in the area. "There's more of an emphasis on relating to each other, more relationship-building with customers and business colleagues." |ret||ret||tab|

Lorton said under-dressing may portray a poor image of your business, while overdressing risks making clients feel uncomfortable. |ret||ret||tab|

The professional image projected through attire should be based on the type of business and the type of product or service offered, Lorton said. "Target who your clientele base is and try to relate to them on a common level."|ret||ret||tab|

Perry Epperly, director of human resources for the Swisshelm Group and president of the Springfield Area Human Resources Association, said the organization doesn't track statistics regarding policies on workplace dress.|ret||ret||tab|

"One of the issues is 85 percent or more of the companies have 25 or fewer employees and they don't always have a handbook," making record keeping difficult, Epperly said. |ret||ret||tab|

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Fashion faux pas|ret||ret||tab|

Teachers and staff lead by example at New Covenant Academy. "If the students can't do something, then we don't need to do it either," said Gay Bates, assistant to the school's president and CEO. On the list of no-no's are denim, flip-flops, sleeveless tops and shorts, but women can wear pants, including capris. |ret||ret||tab|

At Guaranty Bank, employees choose from "business dress" or "business casual," with the company's expectations defined in writing. Suits, dressy pants or dresses are required for business dress, and business casual means bank logo shirts and dress slacks or khakis. |ret||ret||tab|

Denim jeans or skirts aren't allowed, with the exception of an occasional fund-raising event. |ret||ret||tab|

"We do those at least once a month for charity," said Vickie Griffin, human resources director. Employees pay $2 to $3 to wear jeans with a Guaranty Bank logo shirt and a different charity benefits from the donations each month.|ret||ret||tab|

Formal business attire is expected on a daily basis for the 45 employees at the law firm of Neale & Newman LLP. Firm Administrator Ray Dees said workers are proud of their occupations and their environment, and staff members desire to present a professional image to clients. |ret||ret||tab|

Suits and ties are the norm for the firm's attorneys. "(Support staff) are not as formal as the attorneys, but they are fairly formal," Dees said. "We meet clients and have clients in our spaces, so we're professional-looking."|ret||ret||tab|

Casual Friday is not a standard practice at Neale & Newman, but it is at AG Edwards.|ret||ret||tab|

"Our policy is professional dress Monday through Thursday, and we have adopted business casual (Fridays)," said David Burnette, branch manager. Burnette said he feels the 30 local staff members are comfortable combining this more traditional approach with casual Fridays, which began about four years ago.|ret||ret||tab|

While AG Edwards' employees do want to convey a professional image to their clients, Burnette is more concerned about what the staff members' actions portray. "If we're taking care of (clients) I don't think they really care if we're wearing coats and ties or T-shirts."|ret||ret||tab|

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Too casual?|ret||ret||tab|

Some professionals feel casual dress has gone too far.|ret||ret||tab|

"Casual has gotten too casual," said Margaret Szewczyk, human resources manager at Webco Inc. She would like to revamp the company's policy, which does not clearly define business casual. Along with describing what should be worn in the shop for safety reasons, Szewczyk feels dress codes should set the tone for the company's image.|ret||ret||tab|

"The definition of business casual is so different in everyone's mind. To some that's a pair of blue jeans every day. I'm not saying we need suits and ties, but I don't think blue jeans are appropriate every day of the week, especially if you have vendors coming in to see you," Szewczyk said.|ret||ret||tab|

Griffin said the bank doesn't want employees to appear so casual that they look like they're on the way to the gym or the beach. |ret||ret||tab|

A dress code committee made up of one supervisor from each department discusses policy, with bank President Don Gibson making the final decisions. |ret||ret||tab|

Other banks in the area were contacted the last time the committee reviewed the policy. |ret||ret||tab|

"Typically, I think banks are more conservative, so we were trying to stay within the guidelines of a lot of the other banks in the area," Griffin said.|ret||ret||tab|

Dressing down is often a badge of honor for workers at MCI in Springfield.|ret||ret||tab|

"In our (call) center, you're on the phone and you're sitting down all day. Being comfortable is a reward in itself," said Jennifer Royal, a recruiter in the human resources department. |ret||ret||tab|

As new hires, MCI's 1,000 workers signed statements to verify that they understand the center's four levels of acceptable dress, ranging from professional to summer dress-down. |ret||ret||tab|

The right to dress casually may be earned in many ways. "Sometimes it's based on sales, but it's also based on other things, like if someone's got a really great attitude," Royal said. |ret||ret||tab|

One of the biggest challenges for workplaces that allow casual attire is dealing with the occasional questionable couture. |ret||ret||tab|

"The obvious things that are in style but maybe aren't appropriate for the workplace," Royal said. "You're always going to have that. You just have to make sure it's regulated." |ret||ret||tab|

Once an objectionable fashion blunder is called to their attention, most MCI employees stay within the guidelines, Royal added.|ret||ret||tab|

Communication between 43 faculty and staff members, 400 students and administration helps maintain a positive environment at New Covenant Academy, and Bates said dress code violations are rare. "It's something everyone can be comfortable with," she said.|ret||ret||tab|

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Safe choices|ret||ret||tab|

Town & County manager Donna Charles said nearly every day she helps workers who are confused about the meaning of business casual.|ret||ret||tab|

"For most companies, business casual' is just one step down from business," she said. |ret||ret||tab|

Common sense should be used, especially with current women's fashions such as low-rider pants and cropped tops. |ret||ret||tab|

Charles said safe choices for men or women are pressed dress slacks, casual shirts with collars, sweaters, turtlenecks, blazers or jackets. Women should avoid open-toed shoes, and skirts should be an appropriate length. |ret||ret||tab|

Retailer JC Penney posts business do's and don'ts on its Web site, courtesy of Levi's Dockers, encouraging men to leave jeans, T-shirts and sneakers in the closet and choose khakis, polo-style or oxford shirts and loafers. |ret||ret||tab|

Tips for women include khakis, separates and easy-care fabrics.|ret||ret||tab|

Entrepreneurs with home offices also should adhere to their own dress code. "You work and look as good as you feel. It all ties together," Charles said. |ret||ret||tab|

Charles said to remember all of these categories have the word "business" in front of them. "Business, business casual not just casual. You're still conducting business and you have to look that way."|ret||ret||tab|

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