Dress code/policy for CIA? (home, contractors, salaries)

[lchoro]

It depends on how much your position requires you to interact with the public, clients, or other companies/agencies and how visible you are when they visit even if you don't have direct contact.

[jbird82]

Originally Posted by normie

In my line of work, it actually meant I was a little worse at my job. Suits and heels made it difficult to get hands on or fix equipment when it broke down. Suits were for meeting new clients, and that's about it. I usually wore nice clothes, though. I wasn't quite as casual as Bill Gates.

I agree. If a major part of your job is meeting and impressing clients, well then you should dress to impress. First impressions are important.

I was more referring to just sitting around a cube all day.

[Badger21]

Does anyone know the dress code for the CIA employees? Ladies - Business dress, slacks, pantyhose, no sandals, etc.???

Pretty much anything JWOWW wears on Jersey Shore...

[blu_monk]

you can't go wrong with business casual

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by blu_monk

you can't go wrong with business casual

Part of the problem is (at least where I work) is the "business casual" definition is quite broad. Some people believe that denim pants that are not blue are considered business casual. Others believe that non-collared cotton shirts are business casual.

[normie]

Originally Posted by OrangeFish

Part of the problem is (at least where I work) is the "business casual" definition is quite broad.

I'm curious why this is seen as a problem, anyway. Who cares what people wear to work?

I mean, if a job requires you to interact with the public then I can uderstand you'd care about the clothes projecting a company image. But if you're a worker in a cubicle, I say wear anything you want. Anything.

As a business owner, my attitude was simple: as long as it covers you decently, doesn't dangle into machinery, and doesn't have provocative statements writen on it I couldn't care less what employees wear. I figure comfortable workers do better work.

[calitova]

I don't know. I think in a office environment, when people dress TOO casually it has an effect on professionalism. When I worked in business casual environments, I always dressed a little bit better than I had to. I felt it somehow got me in "work" mode mentally. And I can't help it, if there are two people doing similar jobs, but one of them wears jeans and flip flops and the other wears dressier pants, heels, and a jacket, a small part of me will probably think that the second person cares more about their job. Someone who makes more effort with their appearance may also make more effort in their job. I guess I am showing my age, though (early 40's) in thinking that way.

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by calitova

I don't know. I think in a office environment, when people dress TOO casually it has an effect on professionalism.

I'll just say ITA. (And I'm in my late 40s, so maybe it is an age thing. )

[CaliTerp07]

Nope, I'm in my mid 20's, and I'm with you on the value of dressing up. Though I do like the idea of casual fridays (which I've never gotten to experience).

[HEATHER72]

Original poster needs to give more info such as in what context and what office? Even then we aren't the people to ask since it depends on the situation/job.