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I start a new job this upcoming week at a insurance call center. The dress code is business casual. I was wondering if some current employees in similar fields could give me some ideas on what employees are wearing in call centers. Do they wear dress pants and heels? I want to be somewhat comfortable since I will be sitting all day answering phones, etc. Any tips or ideas?
I never understood why non-customer facing jobs require a dress code. Isn't a comfortable person more likely to work more hours? Anyway, normal procedure is to show up dressed up more than you think you'll need to be, see what everyone else is wearing, change accordingly.
What I suggest is that if you don't have a company handbook that details what you're allowed/not allowed to wear, you should show up naked, get sexually harassed, and roll in the money.
Call center interpretations of "business casual" are notoriously loose, and even tougher to define for women (IMO, guys it's easier - collared shirt/slacks/dress shoes, done).
I'd say heels might be a bit of overkill on a daily basis, closed toe shoes are likely required. Dress slacks/flats and a nice blouse/sweater would be the route I'd recommend for the first week to get an idea of what everyone else is wearing.
I start a new job this upcoming week at a insurance call center. The dress code is business casual. I was wondering if some current employees in similar fields could give me some ideas on what employees are wearing in call centers. Do they wear dress pants and heels? I want to be somewhat comfortable since I will be sitting all day answering phones, etc.
Usually it means do not jeans or t-shirts, however, dress slacks and a blouse should be sufficient. I think heels are too formal in such environments. If you still have doubts, just ask them before going in. Also, good luck on your new job.
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Business casual seems a bit much for a call center. Jeans and t-shirts should be fine, since no one will ever see them, and they are not paid enough to buy a lot of expensive clothes. We are in an office setting that does meet the public and we are business casual except when going to a board meeting. For us that means khaki or better pants Dockers are popular, and a collared shirt.
Dress code is to help minimize crap people think is ok to wear to work, like leggings. The call center I work for allows casual, down to flip flops. Management & most of admin team have a higher dress code of business casual or better. If I go to the call center & know I don't have meetings outside my team I sometimes wear nice jeans, otherwise it's slacks w nice blouse/sweater. Dress capris are acceptable as well. I work from a different location than where my team is, I always dress professionally to business casual, partially due to my office location & position.
Depending on the interpretation, business casual can be nice shirt w dockers or nice slacks, casual dress shoes & nice blouse.
Thank you, everyone, for your input. I kind of figured that casual dress is what most of you are stating. I guess I am just overthinking things. I went shopping for a few new tops yesterday because I have a couple of black pants, grey pants, and mid-length skit. I guess heels would be a bit overkill. I worked in a call center over 15 years ago, and we were able to wear jeans and a half decent shirt, but that was just in a catalog ordering business. I know insurance is a different story. I want to be taken seriously.
I start a new job this upcoming week at a insurance call center. The dress code is business casual. I was wondering if some current employees in similar fields could give me some ideas on what employees are wearing in call centers. Do they wear dress pants and heels? I want to be somewhat comfortable since I will be sitting all day answering phones, etc. Any tips or ideas?
Thanks,
Debbie
I work in a similar environment, locked facility, no interaction with the public and we have the same dress code. It is pretty much anything goes, except for when the upper crust management or potential clients are onsite. I can wear jeans & tennis shoes any day of the week if I choose. People wear capris, and shorts. Some people wear short shorts in the summer. I'm shocked by the attire I see over on the call center side....
I would go the first day in true business casual - nice or khaki-style pants, nice shirt, and comfortable shoes. No dresses, no heels. They should give you a written dress code, and further dress advice during orientation. People always show up overly dressed, and told to told to dress down during orientation at my job.
Thank you, everyone, for your input. I kind of figured that casual dress is what most of you are stating. I guess I am just overthinking things. I went shopping for a few new tops yesterday because I have a couple of black pants, grey pants, and mid-length skit. I guess heels would be a bit overkill. I worked in a call center over 15 years ago, and we were able to wear jeans and a half decent shirt, but that was just in a catalog ordering business. I know insurance is a different story. I want to be taken seriously.
Stick to showing up more formal for the first week or so, you would rather have your first impression be wearing something more formal than the other way. After the first week you will have a pretty good idea of what is expected, and wearing something somewhat uncomfortable for a week isn't that big of a deal.
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