Dress Code


Dear Staff,

Spring has brought out visitors to our Unit. We had 1 walk-in complainant yesterday and 2 walk-in complainants so far today. The Nursing Home Section also has visitors including administrators, lawyers and other agency personnel. When we move to The New Building, there will more visitors associated with Others In The New Building. I thought this would be a good time to remind everyone that a business casual dress code is expected. Historically, Fridays have been a little more casual so that jeans can be worn.
One's appearance often times is the first impression that is made when meeting someone for the first time. We usually only have that one opportunity to present ourselves in a professional manner to our customers. A previous supervisor of mine used to tell us that if the clothing item was something you would 'throw on' to run to the grocery store or work in the yard, it is probably not something you need to wear to work.

One of my friends printed this out just so she could angrily wad it up and throw it away. Twice. Hitting the delete key isn't anywhere near as satisfying.

We were standing around the cubicles grumbling about this. We are chained to our desks, we don't wander the halls. If the occasional complainant breaks through the fourth wall and comes to see us, well, that's fine. If they want to come to see the wizard they are going to risk having to see behind the curtain. It's up to them. I think if you enter an office building and find no A/C or over head lights, you may be aware that it isn't like other work places. And if you want to shout your complaint over the sound of the jet engine/ massive, useless, floor fans, then more power to you.

We decided that the whole dress for success email was prompted by one of the surveyors who came to work dressed as if to change the oil in her car. For me it's not her wardrobe it's her jail-house quality tats. And her $1.98 gas station flip flops.

The woman looks like she's running for the title of Ms. Trailer Trash 2007. I'm pretty sure she keeps a couple of pit mixes chained up outside her office too - but that's fine. I'm pretty sure when she's the face of The State, she doesn't wear the sleeveless undershirt she wears around the office and I'm pretty sure she forgoes the coo-lots. I know she isn't allowed to wear flip flops on survey.

But we all had to get the email? They couldn't take her aside and give her a copy of the dress code? or failing that, they couldn't just put a copy in her box? Whatev. So. I know the email wasn't directed at me, but it doesn't matter. I still printed it out just so I could throw it away.