Dubai
In a corporate environment, it is usually expected for employees to be dressed in a professional manner. However, there may have been instances where an individual’s attire might have been offensive. We spoke to Gulf News readers on their perception of appropriate work attire.
Abdul Khader Baig Mirza, a senior accountant based in Sharjah, thinks that a person’s attire is a sign of his or her professionalism.
He told Gulf News: “I am not a fashion guru to give advice on office wear and what is the most appropriate in a professional environment, but I believe that in a workplace, setting your wardrobe is a sign of your professionalism and is sometimes used to gauge your level of competence. When your colleagues and customers look at you, they should feel comfortable to work with you.”
Mirza says he has come across outfits that weren’t suitable for a work environment.
He said: “Personally, I have come across instances where I was uncomfortable or felt awkward due to what a colleague chose to wear. I do not mean to offend anyone, but professionally I will never be able to comfortably share the stage with someone who is wearing flashy or gaudy clothes at work.”
Sumera Malek, a call center agent based in Sharjah, agrees.
She said: “My job doesn’t require me or my colleagues to wear formal clothes, but I think when working, whether at an office or elsewhere, people should not forget that we are here to do some serious work and not party. Wearing party wear is not appropriate. Such dressing just gives the wrong idea. I think a decent outfit is a must.”
Another thing that bothers Malek is people’s personal hygiene.
She said: “Not taking care of your personal hygiene is the most troublesome. People tend to wear the same outfit for weeks. I wear an abaya to work but I make sure that it is neat and clean. But, some women put on the same abaya every day thinking that nobody would notice, but it gives off a terrible smell.”
An online poll on gulfnews.com asked readers whether they had ever been offended by someone’s dress code at work. The majority, or 60 per cent, of the people who voted had not been offended.
Nikko Rey Mainit, a senior officer based in Dubai, agrees with the results.
He said: “I don’t think I’ve ever been offended by what someone has worn to work. People in my office don’t seem to care about what another person is wearing. We have a large team and a mix of cultures and nationalities. Keeping that in mind, we don’t judge anyone.”
When asked about any past experiences, Mainit mentioned a colleague in a previous job who was a topic of conversation because of his casual work attire.
He said: “One of my colleagues wore jeans to the office. It obviously caught everyone’s attention, and some of us told him that it might be stylish for him but people of other nationalities may get offended or may see it as inappropriate work attire. Not everyone was happy about it, but they didn’t say anything. I guess people are just respectful of other people’s choices.”
Prachiti Talathi posted a comment on the official Gulf News page in agreement: “I think that people should be allowed to wear what they like. But, there should be decorum. A lawyer wearing jazzy shirts and shorts in the office is definitely not good etiquette. The way you dress tells a lot about you.”
Sophiya Vednesan, an executive secretary based in Dubai, is amongst the minority who has been offended. She is not happy with some women’s choice of clothing in a work environment.
She said: “I agree that a formal, Western outfit looks good in an office or at a meeting. However, when you look at yourself in the mirror before leaving home, and you find that your outfit is revealing, then that’s not required. Is it mandatory for women to reveal skin to look professional? I think not. Leaving your shirt buttons open or wearing a skirt with a length well above your knees, this seems inappropriate to me.”
Vednesan believes that everyone should keep in mind that we live in a multi-cultural society.
She said: “What may seem fine to you could be offensive to someone else. People have told me I don’t like some outfits because it is not a part of my culture. But, we need to focus on the office culture to maintain a level of professionalism and not individual nationalities.”
Mala Anil, a Dubai resident, posted on our Facebook page: “Whatever they wear, it should be modest. Sometimes our gentlemen wear their trousers so low, that it presents a shameful sight when they are seated. Actions like these should not be permitted.”
Ana Fatima posted: “Make uniforms mandatory for every firm. I have seen women inappropriately dressed in offices. They wear short skirts, shorts and shirts that are revealing. Uniforms will save time and also ease the pain of searching new dresses every morning.”
