Sexism In The Dress Code !

One Sydney school insists that its summer dress code for girls is a dress and in winter they may choose a tunic, but trousers and shorts are barred all year.   This throwback to an earlier age seems to have missed the attention of the feminist movement.   It seems that this edict is the wish of the schools P & C decision making body.

The mother protesting for change took the matter to the Education Department, and they ducked for cover.  They declined to intervene on the grounds that the school had granted an exemption to the ruling and this individual pupil was free to wear trousers or shorts.

That sounds like a victory for common sense, but a lot depends on what attitude is forthcoming from the school teaching staff and how the decision is treated by conservative parents.  Those who pioneer change and consequently stand out from the crowd are not always welcomed by their peers.   This decision could result in a host of others seeking similar exemptions, or a closing of ranks and trousers seen as a breach of the uniform code.

Perhaps that schools P & C are imposing their dress code as a subtle  way of warning that dress codes still exist in the wider  business community.  The female "business suit " is widely accepted across a range of professional disciplines but there are a surprising number of offices where all the female staff are attired in a dress.   Often, these have what is unofficially termed a "glass ceiling ".  No women attain executive rank.

The feminist movement has been agitating for an equal mix of the genders in parliament and for more women to sit on the boards of leading companies and this is achieving success, but there are a surprising number of holdouts who cloak their sexism by appointing what is often termed the "token " female executive.

A company with a male heavy executive staff which fears to attract media attention will often decide to rectify the situation by creating a high profile position and filling it with promotion from within.   The title appended to this position will be indicative of seniority but in fact the tasks required will have little relevance to actual management.  The main objective will be to prove that this company is following the dictates of gender equality as demanded by society.

It is surprising the number of  big name public companies which still require a dress code in their head office. This is usually subtly put in place.  It does not appear in the interview to select a new applicant and usually it is the task of the most senior woman in the office to gain attire acceptance before the offer of employment is confirmed.

Unfortunately, many school leavers fail to understand the importance of dressing accordingly to the type of job interview they are about to attend.    It is not a good idea to front in clothing more appropriate for the beach, nor to be heavily adorned with pop culture icons.  Where possible, tattoos should be kept out of sight and an applicant would do well to observe the attire of the other workers in the place where they are seeking employment.

Dress codes may seem a relic of an earlier age, but they do exist in many workplaces and quite a few of these are under the control of a female boss.   The applicant who demands the right to wear what they choose and to exhibit the freedom to represent the current fad culture is likely to remain in the ranks of the long term unemployed !