Introduction
"I recently heard that casual attire is now allowed at my company..."
"If I come to work in casual clothes, what should I wear?"
Are there any of you who have such worries or vague expectations?
Currently in Japan, the movement towards "dress code liberalization" or "allowing casual attire" is rapidly spreading from large corporations to regional banks and even local governments. This is not simply because it is "easier," but also because it is a "corporate culture reform" andWork style reformIt is deeply connected to that.
However, on the other hand, we can also hear voices saying, "It's inconvenient without rules," and "I'm worried that manners will break down." Liberalizing dress codes is not simply about making clothing more relaxed.
This article explains the reasons behind the recent trend of many companies eliminating or relaxing their dress codes, their objectives, and provides examples of companies that have successfully implemented this change. Let's explore together the changes that a more relaxed dress code will bring to your workplace and gain insights into new ways of working.
Dress code liberalization is not about "loosening of dress code," but rather a strategic means of "workplace reform."
The liberalization and relaxation of dress codes have become a major trend in the Japanese business scene, regardless of industry or company size. This movement is widespread, affecting major machinery manufacturers, construction companies, regional banks, and even local governments such as Osaka Prefecture and Shinjuku Ward in Tokyo.
The main reason many companies are pursuing liberalization is,"Respect for the individuality of employees"or""Improving work efficiency through lighter attire."That's it. But that's not all. View clothing as a strategic "tool,"The goal is to "change the atmosphere and culture of the workplace itself."The number of cases where this is being done is increasing.
1. From a top-down approach to a "culture of independent thinking"
For example, DIJ (formerly DS Japan), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, abolished regulations such as the ban on uniforms, dyed hair, and piercings. The initial impetus was to cope with the heat, but President Hojo had a strong desire to "change a company that is strongly top-down by the founder and create a culture where employees think for themselves and come up with ideas." The change in dress code has created opportunities for employees to talk to each other, leading to increased internal communication.
2. Make clothing a part of your "work performance"
Furthermore, Adastria conducted training on workplace attire. A survey revealed that only 151 TP3T employees had knowledge of or interest in office dress codes, highlighting the need to deepen understanding of appropriate attire within the company.
The training included not only tips on creating a clean and neat appearance and suggestions for color schemes, but also a fashion show featuring senior employees as models, demonstrating an effort to "increase interest in clothing." This suggests that clothing is directly linked to the image customers have of the company and to the professionalism of the employees themselves.
In other words, dress code liberalization is not about the disorder of "you can wear anything you want""The responsibility and ability to choose attire that reflects one's own personality and is appropriate for the situation."This can be described as an experiment in new ways of working, where we expect this from our employees.
Specific examples and key points of companies that have succeeded in liberalization
While there is a growing movement to abolish dress codes, simply giving an "OK" could lead to confusion. Therefore, attention is being paid to "drawing the line" and "establishing guidelines" within the context of liberalization.
Point 1: Share "acceptable ranges" in the guidelines.
Konaka, a major menswear retailer, is supporting companies that are relaxing their dress code by helping them develop guidelines under its "Difference" brand.
for example,Hiroshima Prefectural Credit UnionTherefore, we abolished uniforms for female staff and introduced business casual attire for all employees. However, instead of simply allowing casual attire, we clearly defined the following points as guidelines:
- Definition of acceptable attire
- Points that are emphasized include "humility" and "cleanliness."
- Size, color, and styling guidelines
By compiling these into a 30-page document and making it publicly available within the company, we ensure that everyone understands "what is acceptable." The increasing number of requests from IT companies and others to adjust overly casual employee attire demonstrates that **"liberalization and maintaining proper etiquette are compatible"**.
Point 2: Classify clothing by occasion to create a shared understanding.
As demonstrated by Adastria's case, classifying dress code into five categories based on different scenarios, such as "office work only" or "working outside the office," and discussing appropriate attire for each scenario is also an effective approach.
This allows each employee to choose their attire with an awareness of "where and with whom they are meeting," ultimately leading to an improved professional image.
Point 3: Changing mindsets through training and a "fashion show"
As seen in Adastria's "Passion Show," having superiors and veteran employees act as models and showcase their enjoyment of fashion is an effective way to cultivate a positive image of **"clothing = fun" and "clothing = self-discovery"**.
The aim of this is to increase interest in clothing and revitalize the company.
What kind of "new sense of work" will liberalization of dress code bring?
Eliminating dress codes will not only change the clothes we wear, but will also bring about changes in our attitudes towards work and the nature of our interpersonal relationships.
1. Sharpen your judgment skills in a world where there are no "right answers."
Suits and uniforms used to be considered somewhat "correct" attire, no matter who wore them. However, in workplaces where liberalization is progressing, that "correct" answer disappears.
You'll have more opportunities to think for yourself and make choices like, "What kind of impression do I want to make on this client?" or "What kind of atmosphere should I bring to this project?" This is extremely important training for modern business people who face "challenges with no right answer" in their work itself.
2. An increase in "dialogue" initiated by clothing.
When dress codes are abolished, some employees may be confused at first. However, this can lead to dialogue about "why they chose to wear that outfit."
For example, in the case of Hiroshima Prefectural Credit Union, the process of consulting with employees multiple times to formulate guidelines creates an opportunity to have in-depth discussions about work content and values. Through the medium of dress code, the workplace atmosphere changes from one where instructions are given from above to one where everyone creates together.
3. A fusion of "individuality" and "professionalism"
The true purpose of liberalization is to allow each employee to discover their own unique way of working and translate that into improved work performance.
"Casual attire is OK" doesn't mean being freed from company rules; rather, it's about a higher level of autonomy—**"how you present yourself for the company and for the customers."**
Summary
In the past, suits and uniforms were armor for playing the "role" of an office worker. They provided a uniform correct answer and protected employees with a certain sense of security, or perhaps a sense of constraint.
However, the movement to shed that armor is now accelerating in Japanese workplaces.
The growing trend towards more relaxed dress codes isn't simply driven by a desire for comfort. With the advancement of ICT and DX (digital transformation), and the resulting increased flexibility in work "place" and "time," there's a growing need to re-evaluate the "content" of work and "interpersonal relationships" within the workplace.
As seen in the example of DIJ, eliminating dress codes can be a catalyst for shifting from a top-down culture to a culture where employees think for themselves and come up with their own ideas. Furthermore, as demonstrated by the cases of Adastria and Defence, it is precisely because of this freedom that efforts are being made to improve the quality of "business casual" through guidelines and training, thereby deepening trust from customers and society.
What is being questioned here is not a lack of manners,"Self-expression while being mindful of manners."is.
Choosing what to wear is a mirror that reflects a person's values and approach to work. "What kind of person should I show today?" "How should I behave in this situation?" Freedom of dress code is a new form of social training, encouraging each employee to re-examine "who they are" and "what work is," and to create the atmosphere of the workplace.
Freedom is not irresponsibility without any constraints, but rather the ability to make choices of one's own free will and take responsibility for the consequences. The liberalization of dress codes can be seen as evidence of how this adult autonomy is being tested in the small society of the workplace in today's world.
