Now I have your attention.. Read on friends…

One of the joys of being your own boss and working for yourself I’m fast learning,  is that as  CEO and  HR , you’ve the freedom and ability to not only create  a positive work environment and ethos but you can make up your own rules!!  I’m lucky in that as well as getting to work onsite with my clients I also get to work from my home office.   I’ve always been a little bit “different” which my family and everyone have accepted and just chalked it up to “eccentricity” or “creativity”. Cool, whatever you want to call it. I  really embraced this today,  and l thought to myself  this afternoon “Hey embrace your own rules, flexibility and creative freedom  you now have in the work place Chrissy”. So, I’m  writing this blog in my underwear.

Yep!  Lovely people as I sit here know, I’m rocking ma knickers and a bra, cigarette in hand and a pen and paper.  It really sounds like a scene out of some French film but I assure you it’s not, but more so the beginning of new workplace practice for moi.  “Oh but how absurd” or “I knew she was crazy” I hear you think to yourself.  Well, possibly a little from column a) and b) however sometimes the best you can do for yourself are both. Be different, try different things, and see how it makes you feel.  Real talk time though, I was dying of the heat from running around (and my MS hates the heat).  Plus I kind of did wanna stick it to those of you in a suit in tie, or in your polyester work skirts.  Now if you feel so inclined to picture me (I say avoid the thought for your own sake, but if you do; spare me your thought or any related banter… let’s keep it PG and about the discussion).

The discussion point here is the method behind my madness which got me wanting to write this and blog post today. Read on!  As my own boss, I’m finding you have the flexibility and freedom to work and be in a comfortable work environment. This is of massive importance to me; not only is my body temperature lower (which assists my MS massively; which in turn benefits my comfort and productivity. It’s a luxury I’ve not been afforded previously and I’m really embracing it.  I’ve had a very serious conversation with a friend of mine, who’s the Operations Manager for a very successful company. His client  interactions, are mostly over the phone or via email and he usually only sees fellow colleagues. He’s a jeans and thongs kinda guy , and while he’s still trying to get it past the other directors, Pants off Friday would make him and most of the others in the office  much more productive. Keep fighting your cause and good fight my friend, one day they’ll come round to your cow boy way of thinking!

I often think about dress policies and codes in the work place, (and while  my situation is completely unique) I’d probably get the all clear from your boss before you decide to front up on Friday to work in your bright red jocks.  But are these policies a good idea in the work place? Are they relevant or just outdated?

I’ve always been a very bright and eclectic dresser. I love bright and bold colours, big earrings and I’ve a multitude of tattoos. I dress for comfort and for my body type. I always try to dress accordingly to location and the interactions I have though.  I’ll always look well put together (and my eyebrow game is always strong). If I’ve a meeting or pitch with more conservative or corporate clients, then I’ll dress more to that environment (but still within my style and colour pallet). Usually this is more for them than for me though, and I like to think that we’re there to talk business rather than there be sniggers or laughs based on the colour of my jacket.

Surely I’m being reviewed and taken on my merits of my knowledge, my skills and experience right? That I’m suitable for the job or task and  the expertise I can bring to the situation? Hmm…  Are we as a society expecting someone we interact or we do business with to be dressed in a  certain way? And if they’re not, how that make does us feel? Will this impact  our decision making?

I’ll admit there are some days where  it wasn’t until I was fully awake and a second coffee in, that I’d see what I had thrown together and though “Oh my god have I lost my mind? “ or “ Yep, you’ve finally gone colour blind”. I didn’t speak it out loud though and when my drier was broken in winter I may have worn a negligee as a singlet top, a skirt as a strapless top and who knows what else. I think everyone just accepted it as another of my eccentricities and didn’t question it at all. Pheww.

I’ve worked previously in environments, where there has been friction and tension amongst female management.  Where you were allowed free dress, but it quickly escalated to a bloody fashion show and some serious one upping. It also got to where some of the staff didn’t really get what might and might not have been appropriate and were being made fun of  by other staff.  (Look I’m all for celebrating the bust, and god knows I love a boob window as much as the  rest, but legs with your eggs  isn’t always appropriate or appreciated).  This is where mandatory uniforms work to eliminate any work place bitchiness, and can save any awkward conversations with opposite sex staff. Massive bonus though, not having to do your own laundry or thinking about what you’re going to wear!

I’m sure anyone who commutes via public transport in our summer can tell you, there’s really nothing worse  than busting a sweat before you event get to work.  I always feel for the dudes in their long sleeve work shorts and buttoned up ties.  At only 8am, they’re shirts are drenched and they look pretty hot and annoyed.  Has no one at any point gone “Hey, we live in one of the hottest climates on earth, this dress policy is cool for winter but summer; yeah let’s relook this?” Seriously, for the happiness and smell factor of your office, have the conversation! I’m sure my buddy on the escalator will thank you, and be a lot happier at work.

Some industries are very forward thinking in the allowing their staff members to dress in what they’re comfortable in.  Usually creative or tech industries, though I have started to see this in other industries too. Staff are more productive, and settle into the job and task at hand,   just getting on with what needs to be done. Sure if you’ve  an important meeting to attend with clients,  you know it’s going to require your good jeans or something a bit fancier. Hey! I’ve had times where I’ve advised my staff members to step it up, dress sexy or I’ll even break out the “blue dress”.  Know what works, or have a relationship where if and when necessary you can speak to staff and let them know they may need to adapt. Know what works in  your business, and use your assets to your advantage.

When it comes to policies on visible tattoos and piercings, this really grinds my gears. As someone that is highly intelligent, I find that when these conversations or people start to  judge you based on your  physical appearance, it’s  pretty stupid.  (This is possibly an entirely different discussion in itself, and I know this  can get heated pretty quickly, so I won’t go into it too much here). In short, I like to think that I’m being hired because of what I bring to the party in business, with my skills, knowledge and experience; not whether I’m inked or not.   Though it does make me laugh knowing,  that some of my most conservative clients have become much more at ease and relaxed with me when they’ve seen my cupcake or care bear tattoo.  I mean really if you hate rainbows and care bears, donuts and hot dogs,  what kind of person are you even really? You probably hate birthdays and puppies too. Sheesh! Red flag!

I know heaps of people that do it, but in some careers don’t we expect and judge a tattooist on the number and quality of their tattoos? Shouldn’t we just be happy to know that we’ll still get an amazing coffee  even if our barista isn’t sporting a beard or beanie? That you’ll get an excellent hair cut from a straight man? Why so many career stereotypes? Why can’t we just be accepting and happy with whoever provides us with what?

I understand that there are some careers that legally mandate protective clothing, that’s fine and in place for the workers safety. I’m not saying every career or industry should tomorrow burn their uniforms or change it up ? Are there industries and careers where that unless these professionals are dressed a certain way, do we don’t have any faith or trust in them to do or perform their job accurately?

As always I like to encourage conversation and would love your thoughts and comments. If you like this article or know someone that might, please feel free to share it with them. This isn’t about being wrong or right but more so your thoughts, my thoughts and how it relates to your industry or situation.

Ps. I urge you all to write in your underwear at some point (maybe when you’re on your own and with the blinds closed but hey, what ev’s.) Try something different, worry less what others think, try it you just might like it.

Happy Hump day followers!