There's a growing trend in business to allow employees to dress casually. Some offices have a casual day - typically Friday; others allow casual dress every day. In 1998, 97% of companies allowed some kind of casual attire.

Now companies are having second thoughts about casual dress. In a recent survey, nearly half of employers said they've noted an increase in employee absenteeism and tardiness since  a casual dress policy was adopted. Employers also expressed concern that casual attire encourages slacking off and may end up affecting company profits.

Not much research was conducted before casual dress became such a fad, and not much has been done since. Researchers are now planning studies to determine whether there's any link between casual dress and productivity. Businesspeople, stay tuned.

© Copyright 2000 Raymond S. Kulzick. All rights reserved. 000803.