Brit office workers are ditching the traditional business gear of jacket and tie, a study shows

Brit office workers are ditching the traditional business gear of jacket and tie, a study shows.

The survey, run by job search specialists CareerBuilder, has found that 49% of Brits are trading in their suits for a smart casual approach reflecting a change in British workplaces.

With record-breaking high temperatures and long commutes to work, what to wear to work has become a problem for Britain lately with the traditional suit becoming impractical. Two thirds of the nation think that men should be able to wear shorts to the workplace in hot weather, but the CareerBuilder survey found that only a quarter of workplaces has a dress code that caters for the Summer heat.

CareerBuilder UK’s Elsa Thumerel, comments on their findings. “We’ve seen a general trend across industries to move to a smart-casual approach to workwear. Workplaces are adapting across many areas of its business already. With changing views on dress codes, it’s important to keep staff welfare front of mind, especially in times like the recent heat or difficult commutes.”

Half of the British workforce say they now turn up for work in smart trousers and a dress shirt but feel they would do a better job if they could wear comfortable clothes like T-shirt and jeans.

Thumerel encourages employers to have an open mind when it comes to the changing trends, “the survey has highlighted a difference in opinions between employees and their managers when it comes to dress code. People who held senior management positions are more likely than the general population to want a formal dress code. But 76% of people who wear business attire to work want to relax their wardrobe.”

The study indicated that age and gender were critical factors on where respondents sat on the workwear debate. Women are more likely to want formal dress codes than their male counterparts. But men are more likely than females to say they would feel more productive in their own choice of clothing.  94% of people aged 45 and over reported to be happy with their work dress code, higher than younger generations.

Thumerel hopes their latest findings should open up dialogue between staff and employers, “it is a balancing act for employers, we encourage the conversation and an open mind in companies to find what works best for them. I don’t expect tie and suit sales will dramatically drop. However, with proper staff consultation, maybe an odd pair of smart shorts in Summer months wouldn’t be the end of the world. “