Most managers take clothing into account when making promotion decisions, survey shows

 Workers considering wearing pajamas, a chicken suit, or parachute pants to the office may be putting their chances of a promotion in jeopardy. The results of a recent OfficeTeam survey show that 80 percent of executives said clothing choices affect an employee’s chances of earning a promotion.

Proper attire may carry less weight than it did six years ago, however. In 2007, 93 percent of executives surveyed tied professional wear to advancement prospects. Among those respondents, 33 percent said clothing significantly affects a person’s chances of moving up the ladder, versus just 8 percent who feel this way today.

The survey was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with more than 1,000 senior managers at companies with 20 or more employees.  

Managers were asked, “To what extent does someone’s style of dress at work influence his or her chances of being promoted? Their responses:

• Significantly — 8 percent
• Somewhat — 72 percent
• Not at all — 20 percent

Managers also were asked to recount the strangest outfits they have heard of or seen someone wearing to work, not in observance of Halloween. The responses included:

• A dinosaur costume
• Pajamas
• Parachute pants
• A chicken suit
• Coveralls
• A space suit
• Studs and motorcycle gear
• A wolf mask

They recounted professionals who got creative with their clothing combinations:

• A T-shirt, tie, and flip-flops
• Short pants and a winter jacket
• One red sock and one white sock
• Tennis shoes and men’s knicker pants
• Shorts and house slippers
• A red suit with sporty footwear

They said that others donned apparel that left little to the imagination:

• A see-through dress
• Fishnet stockings and stilettos   
• A bathing suit
• A tube top
• A backless shirt

They mentioned that this gear was more appropriate for the gym than the workplace:

• A muscle shirt
• A sweat suit
• Yoga pants
• Very tight bike shorts

Respondents said that these outfits just didn’t make the “cut”:

• Torn jeans
• A vest with a big hole in the back
• A T-shirt with cut-off sleeves

And, they said that the following getups might be viewed as fashion faux pas both in and out of the office:

• Saggy pants
• Sandals with socks
• Flood pants

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