The top accountancy firm has officially relaxed its rules on work wear – just weeks after one receptionist was sent home for refusing to wear heels
Just weeks after one receptionist was sent home for refusing to wear high heels, the Australian arm of PwC has officially abolished its traditional employee dress code.
“The two are not linked but I don’t mind the timing,” insisted Sue Horlin, who starts as human capital leader at PwC Australia next month.
Sydney-based Horlin says the move is actually about keeping up with what industry competitors can offer as well as driving innovation at the firm.
“The reality is we are in a war for talent and we want the same creative, innovative and diverse people that all the other companies are chasing,” she told HRD. “We think this change will help us do that.”
Previously, men were expected to wear fine knitwear, smart shirts with collars, tailored trousers, traditional suits and dress shoes or boots.
Women had to wear similar attire, with additional options of tailored dresses, shirts, smart shirts or blouses and business-style shoes or boots.
Now, Horlin says the official guidelines will be removed with bosses placing more trust in employees’ judgement.
“In an environment where we are asking our people to be more innovative and creative, it just didn’t feel right to keep mandating what our people wear," she said.
The only suggestion was that employees think about what is respectful to clients and colleagues while being safe and appropriate for the workplace environment, Horlin said.
“It’s not a dress up or dress down policy — all we are asking our people to do is think about what they are doing each day, who they are doing it with, and dress in a way that reflects that," she added.
“We trust our people to use their judgement and common sense, and we firmly believe this small but symbolic gesture will help people be more comfortable, more confident and therefore deliver fantastic service to our clients."
As for feedback, the response from the PwC staff had been fantastic, she said.
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“The two are not linked but I don’t mind the timing,” insisted Sue Horlin, who starts as human capital leader at PwC Australia next month.
Sydney-based Horlin says the move is actually about keeping up with what industry competitors can offer as well as driving innovation at the firm.
“The reality is we are in a war for talent and we want the same creative, innovative and diverse people that all the other companies are chasing,” she told HRD. “We think this change will help us do that.”
Previously, men were expected to wear fine knitwear, smart shirts with collars, tailored trousers, traditional suits and dress shoes or boots.
Women had to wear similar attire, with additional options of tailored dresses, shirts, smart shirts or blouses and business-style shoes or boots.
Now, Horlin says the official guidelines will be removed with bosses placing more trust in employees’ judgement.
“In an environment where we are asking our people to be more innovative and creative, it just didn’t feel right to keep mandating what our people wear," she said.
The only suggestion was that employees think about what is respectful to clients and colleagues while being safe and appropriate for the workplace environment, Horlin said.
“It’s not a dress up or dress down policy — all we are asking our people to do is think about what they are doing each day, who they are doing it with, and dress in a way that reflects that," she added.
“We trust our people to use their judgement and common sense, and we firmly believe this small but symbolic gesture will help people be more comfortable, more confident and therefore deliver fantastic service to our clients."
As for feedback, the response from the PwC staff had been fantastic, she said.
Related stories:
Social media storm after employee refuses to wear heels
What HRDs should know about hijabs at work
Why lenient employee dress-codes make perfect business sense
