A CEO that is against professionalism. Everything has just become so casual today and signs of this trend letting up are hard to find. Thoughts of ties going the way of the hat and jeans now being the societal suit of today makes me wonder why we just didn't stick with the toga.

When it comes from the top down and bucking the standard may mean a removal from your position the only strategy I see at the moment is to go with the flow but argue that the more relaxed dress codes are the more ... meh... fight the standard and get a school tie. If he doesn't like it ind out how hard it would be to work at another facility.

From what I read you aren't in some physical therapy setup so dressier clothes for parents to see isn't really detracting from how they perceive you.

 

Try to get the support of others and make a representation. Perhaps a compromise can be reached whereby t shirts are only worn in some situations.

If all else fails, wear the damn t shirt and look happy about it. Don't let it get to you.

 

Sew the company logo into your suits? Seriously though, if the point is differentiation, you may be able to get a "logo shirt OR suit" exemption because I assume the teenagers are not wearing suits. Best thing is to ask though, because employers generally have a legal right to make their employees wear uniforms.

 

The CEO's policy is to "distinguish us from the teenage clients whom we serve." Hence the logos and the last names.

I agree with discussing with him the option/exemption of wearing a suit instead of a t-shirt. If you're already doubting his credentials be careful of telegraphing your negativity. If you want him to be open minded with you, you need to be the same with him.

 

Try to get the support of others and make a representation. Perhaps a compromise can be reached whereby t shirts are only worn in some situations.

If all else fails, wear the damn t shirt and look happy about it. Don't let it get to you.

+1. This seems to make the most sense. Making a legitimate effort to state your case for wearing a suit/sport coat, be it successful or not, will enable you and your like minded coworkers to look yourselves in the mirror in the ,mornings and know you gave it your best efforts. Should you end up having to wear the logoed T-shirts, be patient...the pendulum will swing back and while you wait, just put your thoughts and energy into doing the work that means something to you! A great job is more than just an ill-thought dress code!

 

If you're already doubting his credentials be careful of telegraphing your negativity. If you want him to be open minded with you, you need to be the same with him.

Point taken.

I find it a mixed message of professionalism going from Bob in a suit and tie to Mr. Loblaw in a t-shirt.Truthfully, I know I will never wear a t-shirt to work unless it is for a special event such as a race to raise money for our non-profit foundation. I find it demeaning to be made to dress like a jumbo toddler. I will go on dressing the way I have and let them figure out what to do with me. I guess I am hard-headed.

 

Point taken.

I find it a mixed message of professionalism going from Bob in a suit and tie to Mr. Loblaw in a t-shirt.Truthfully, I know I will never wear a t-shirt to work unless it is for a special event such as a race to raise money for our non-profit foundation. I find it demeaning to be made to dress like a jumbo toddler. I will go on dressing the way I have and let them figure out what to do with me. I guess I am hard-headed.

Wear a T-shirt over your suit...:icon_smile_big:
T-shirts in a company... I only see that in IT companies... heck, they allow you to dress whatever you like...

 

Talk to him and figure out how much of this is rumour, how much is reality and whether a compromise can be reached.

But if it can't be resolved, you're going to have to decide whether you want to continue working there. One thing I've realised is that there is no point working somewhere you'll be unhappy (regardless of the particular cause of the unhappiness) and I'm sure your qualifications would let you work in lots of places you'd prefer. Finding a new job is unlikely to be a problem, I suspect.

Don't take the passive route of waiting to get fired or whatever, for breaching the dress code. If compromise is impossible, actively decide whether you can put up with the new code and so make a choice about whether to stay or leave.

 

If you don't plan on abiding by the new dress code, I would get a "plan B" in place quickly in terms of a new employment situation...once you are comfortable that if you are told to take a hike you have something else lined up, THEN I might approach him...first dig a bit deeper to find out the reasoning - there may be more to the story that you aren't being told...if not, explain that you feel there are some mixed messages between the name address change to being more formal, yet the dress code doing a 180 the other way and tell him your thoughts...if there is a resolution you are comfortable with, stay...if not - pursue your new option.

 

^I agree with HF-the best defense is a strong offense. If you still remain unhappy in your job, leave asap

 

Talk to him and figure out how much of this is rumour, how much is reality and whether a compromise can be reached.

But if it can't be resolved, you're going to have to decide whether you want to continue working there. One thing I've realised is that there is no point working somewhere you'll be unhappy (regardless of the particular cause of the unhappiness) and I'm sure your qualifications would let you work in lots of places you'd prefer. Finding a new job is unlikely to be a problem, I suspect.

Don't take the passive route of waiting to get fired or whatever, for breaching the dress code. If compromise is impossible, actively decide whether you can put up with the new code and so make a choice about whether to stay or leave.

I would commend this approach. Excellet advice, in my opinion.

 

Although several decades have gone by since I graduated from a school of Social Work, I remember there being two distinct schools of thought on the dress issue which, believe it or not, was actually discussed in class.

One held that workers should dress in a manner that was very similar to their clients. This generally was considered to be very casual, ie. jeans, sneakers, etc.. The thinking was that you would be more readily accepted by your clients because they could relate to you as being one of them or more understanding of their position.

The other thought was that you should dress more like "the man" in order to convey a sense of authority and power. The idea was that if your client saw you appearing too similar to them they would dismiss you as being someone who had anything to offer them.

I don't know if times have changed since I left this field many years ago, but based on my friends who still work in this area I suspect that most practitioners lean towards the jeans and tee shirt group, whether it be for the theoretical reason stated or simply because that is how they prefer to dress. Given that most employers probably like for their employees to all dress in a similar manner and the fact that it would probably be difficult to convince the others to join in a request to wear coat and ties, it may prove difficult to change the order.

I have personally never worn a tee shirt to work and would not care to do so, even if it had a company logo on the front; however, if I had a good job that I liked I would certainly wear the tee shirt and not make waves over this issue. To do otherwise might not only incur the wrath of the boss but also fellow employees if they were not in agreement.

Cruiser

 

I wonder whether, if you'd been wearing T-shirts and calling each other by last names, the new CEO would have requested more formal dress and your calling each other by first names...

 

My sympathies. However, this guy sounds like he does not like suits and ties and will not change. (This dress code could very well be based on his personal prejudice about dressing up - - or it could be what he genuinely feels is best for the organization.)

I know where I live, jobs are hard to find and while my boss tolerates my dressing up about half the time, I would not jeopardize my job by irritating him with (perceived anyway) overdressing.

If this will make you truly unhappy, you probably need to find a new position. Unless the new CEO is really secure with himself, he will very possibly be worried about "caving in" and losing his authority if he changes his mind so soon after making such a drastic change.

 

Most of the comments and advice heretofore are well-made. The situation is certainly a frustrating one. At the right time I would certainly bring up the exemption discussed and do so in the context of the confused formality/informality aspect that you have already identified. However, I would echo the comment to keep an open mind and I would not rush to switch jobs until - assuming you end up having to comply - you've seen the change play out a little. You never know how the reality might work out.

 

Whoa... does he look anything like this guy?

Seriously (forgive the hip-pocket organizational psychology) but these new policies hint at a new CEO with some serious image and control issues. Qualify the depth of this, and make the appropriate decision. If you are not given access or see a rigid "my way or the highway" response... your path is clear. Best of luck.

Fwiw, I would only go as far as a lapel pin. :icon_smile_wink:

 

Anyone is hiring???

^I agree with HF-the best defense is a strong offense. If you still remain unhappy in your job, leave asap

... This is exactly what I did!!!!

And I'm currently looking for a new job...:icon_smile_big::icon_smile_big::icon_smile_big:

... Paris 2 LA

 

Look on the bright side.If some big naked guy walked in scanning everyone he'd likely show a display announcing proper dresser, walk up and in a austrian accent say " take off your clothes."

 

If all it takes is a T-shirt for one of the older-looking clients to look like staff, there's probably going to be some trouble ahead. The new dress code sounds like a gimmick found in a bargin-bin management how-to book.

Seriously, the *only* option is to wear a T-shirt? No polo? No OCBD shirt with the logo on the pocket (that's my company's preferred branded-attire - very nice.) How about a patch you can put on a blazer, Ivy-league style?

 

I think the last poster is on to a good idea. Aprroach the CEO with ideas of expanding his concept to include additional items of clothing. A blazer, OCBD, sweater etc. There is a practical side to this. Need for pockets, cooler weathe, greater acceptance from staff when they can exercise some choice. When he sees that you are not trying to sink his tee shirts and that he does not have to loose face, he may broaden his directive to include more clothing items. His idea, of course! You don't have to mention that a more "professional" look will result.

 

Also with the fact that you find yourself dealing with the parents, a more professional attire should be warranted to gain their respect and trust. That approach might work.

 

If you don't plan on abiding by the new dress code, I would get a "plan B" in place quickly in terms of a new employment situation...once you are comfortable that if you are told to take a hike you have something else lined up, THEN I might approach him...first dig a bit deeper to find out the reasoning - there may be more to the story that you aren't being told...if not, explain that you feel there are some mixed messages between the name address change to being more formal, yet the dress code doing a 180 the other way and tell him your thoughts...if there is a resolution you are comfortable with, stay...if not - pursue your new option.

I noticed the inconsistency too. It seems so wacky to make the greetings formal (Mr. Mrs. Miss etc) and the dress informal. I also agree with having a plan B in place. No need to set oneself out without a rope.

The only place I disagree is with only talking with him about it after dissenting. I think it's important to open the lines of communication immediately, especially if the CEO is new.

 

You would get to wear a sweatshirt in the cooler months and a polo shirt if you have seniority.

I talked it over with some employees and they seem to think that this is common practice in prisons and "institutionalizes" the place. Also I noticed to day that rules are commonly ignored. For instance, I noticed today that I am the only employee who wears a badge. Everybody else lost theirs and havent bothered to get it replaced.

I suppose it is safe to say everyone will be ignoring this directive just like so many others.

Everything is okay for now unless the new CEO, in a fit of pique, decideds to begin enforcement. This probably wont be very likely, however.

 

This reminds me of Office Space with "pieces of flair"

 

So, Mr. Loblaw, how are things going around the old office? Still wearing the t-shirt with a forced smile, or have you been placed in the CEO's corner suite?