The last true “office job” I had was over eight years ago, and I still suffer from uncontrollable muscle spasms when I recall those hot summer afternoons in panty hose. And jackets with shoulder pads … talk about constricting. I don’t know that I could go back to that type of office gear if I had to. And granted, many offices these days don’t even come close to demanding the traditional wardrobe in order to report to work. Still, during summer months especially, it’s easy to slack off a little, sneak into work with perhaps less-than-appropriate footwear or attire, and hope that no one says anything. Well, if you’re interested in promotions, and all the perks that come along with it, you might think again before you slide on the flip-flops and head to work in your cargo shorts. A new CareerBuilder.com survey reports that 41 percent of employers state that people who dress better or more professionally tend to be promoted more often than others in their organization. And it’s not surprising that financial services is one of the industries that place the most emphasis on professional dress, as 55 percent of them state that people who dress more professionally tend to be promoted more often than others in the organization. On the other hand, IT and manufacturing employers are two of the industries that place the least amount of emphasis on professional dress, as only 37 percent and 34 percent, respectively, said that employees who dress more professionally tend to be promoted more often than others. "Even though we are seeing a trend of more relaxed dress codes in the office, especially in summer, it doesn't mean that professionalism should go out the window," said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of Human Resources for CareerBuilder.com. "How you dress can play an important role in how others perceive you at work, and dressing professionally can help you project a motivated and dedicated image." Some workplaces have taken action into their own hands and are getting employees to dress more professionally by banning certain items of clothing and footwear. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of employers surveyed have banned flip flops, 49 percent have banned mini-skirts and 28 percent have banned jeans. In addition to banning certain items of clothing, some employers have gone as far as to send employees home for unsuitable work attire. More than one-third (35 percent) of employers have sent someone home to change clothes because they were dressed inappropriately. So what if the boss is the one slacking when it comes to attire? Experts still recommend that employees take it upon themselves to dress the part of a professional, even if it’s a casual version. Paying attention to cleanliness, neatness and detail can go a long way in supporting a competent and professional image. So save the flip-flops for your weekends, and as the old saying goes, “dress for success.” | 
