Today, it was announced that Wellmark Blue Cross-Blue Shield employees are not allowed to smoke during their breaks or even when they go to lunch.

According to the news article, they used to be able to smoke as long as they went at least 100 from Company property. Now they cannot even use tobacco products at all while they are on duty.

What do you think? As a former smoker myself, I absolutely abhor smoking now. I think it is a filthy disgusting habit, and wish cigarettes would just be outlawed completely. I hate the smell, I hate the cigarette butts that get thrown out of car windows and I think absolutely everything about the habit is disgusting.

BUT, while I disagree with the habit, I also am a little torn on whether this is invading a person’s rights. If someone is off the clock (such as when they are on their lunch hour) are they still representing the company? Should they be told they cannot smoke?

I have no problem with a Company prohibiting smoking on breaks. Let’s just say that at the Company I work for smoke breaks are some thing that are taken a wee bit advantage of. We don’t get actual breaks persay, because we work at a desk all day. We have the luxury of getting up and walking around when we need to– if we want to walk down to the vending machines for a snack or a drink, we just go when we need to. We don’t have a designated break time.

But the smokers? The people that smoke actually get up from their desk 2 or 3 times per day, walk all the way out to their cars in the parking lots, and sit in their car to smoke. So you figure 5 minutes minimum roundtrip to and from your vehicle and 15 minutes smoke time. Twice a day… that’s 40 minutes a day that they are not working. Forty minutes a day that they are on break when I am NOT. I am all for a Company outlawing smoking for those reasons, but the lunch hour part I’m just not sold on.

Although if I had to sit in a cubicle next to someone that was a smoker, I might be convinced to change my opinion.

So, what do you think?

Let’s see a raise of hands.

Who can properly define the phrase “BUSINESS CASUAL?”

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Apparently, not many people know what those words mean. And– I may or may not be referring to people I work with. 

I’m just sayin’.

The company I work for, along with many other larger companies in the area, offer a “business casual” dress code. This basically means that rather than the jackets, ties, skirts or dresses that were the norm in the 80s and 90s, companies now let their employees relax a bit. Notice I emphasize the words “A BIT.”

According to the Virginia Tech Career Services office, there are specific ‘business casual” guidelines for men and women.

For the Men: Ties are generally not necessary for business casual, but if you are in doubt, you can wear a tie. It never hurts to slightly overdress.

Ties:

Shirts: Long-sleeved shirts are considered dressier than short-sleeved and are appropriate even in summer. Choosing white or light blue solid, or conservative stripes is your safest bet. Polo shirts (tucked in, of course) are acceptable in more casual situations.

Socks: Wear dark socks, mid-calf length so no skin is visible when you sit down.

Shoes: Leather shoes should be worn. No sandals, athletic shoes or hiking boots.

Facial hair: Facial hair, if worn, should be well-groomed. Know your industry and how conservative it is; observe men in your industry if you are unsure what’s appropriate or are considering changing your look.

Jewelry: Wear a conservative watch. If you choose to wear other jewelry, be conservative. Removing earrings is safest. For conservative industries, don’t wear earrings. Observe other men in your industry to see what is acceptable.

For the women:

Don’t confuse club attire with business attire. If you would wear it to a club, you probably shouldn’t wear it in a business environment. Also, most attire worn on televison is not appropriate for business environments. Don’t be deluded.

Pants / skirts: Women can wear casual pants or skirts. Neither should be tight. Fabrics should be crisp; colors should generally be solid; navy, black, gray, brown and khaki are always safe bets. For the most business-like appearance, pants should be creased and tailored; neither extreme of tight or flowing. If you are pursuing a conservative industry and are in doubt, observe well-dressed women in your industry on the job, at career fairs, at information sessions, etc.


Skirt length and slits: Your skirt should come at least to your knees while you are standing. While you are seated, your thighs should be covered. If your skirt comes to just below the knee, a slit to just above the knee might be acceptable. A very long skirt should not be slit to above the knee. Generally slits in the center back of a skirt — to facilitate walking and stair climbing — are acceptable. Slits to facilitate a view of your legs are not appropriate for business purposes. Slips should not be visible.


Shirt / sweaters: In addition to tailored shirts or blouses, tailored knit sweaters and sweater sets are appropriate business casual choices for women. Cotton, silk, and blends are appropriate. Velvets and shimmery fabrics suitable for parties are not appropriate. Fit should not be tight. Cleavage is not appropriate to business and job search occasions.


Jewelry / accessories: Wear a conservative watch. Jewelry and scarf styles come and go. Keep your choices simple and leaning toward conservative. Avoid extremes of style and color. If your industry is creative, you may have more flexibility than someone pursuing a conservative industry.


Cosmetics: Keep makeup conservative and natural looking. A little is usually better than none for a polished look. Nails should be clean and well groomed. Avoid extremes of nail length and polish color, especially in conservative industries.


Shoes: Should be leather or fabric / microfiber. Appropriate colors are black, navy and brown (to coordinate with your other attire and accessories); white and pastels are not appropriate. For the most conservative look, toes should be covered. Sandals which are neither extremely dressy or extremely casual might be appropriate. Thin straps and high heels are not appropriate. Chunky heels and platforms are not apropriate. Make certain you can walk comfortably in your shoes; hobbling around in shoes that are pinching your feet does not convey a professional image.


Hose:  Not essential for business casual, but are recommended if your skirt is knee length (rather than calf length) and in more formal environments.


Purse / bag: If you carry a purse, keep it small and simple, or carry a small briefcase or business-like tote bag in place of a purse. A structured bag tends to look more professional that something soft or floppy. Purse/bag color should coordinate with your shoes. A briefcase is certainly not necessary for most business casual events. Leather, microfiber and fine wovens are appropriate. Canvas and straw are not appropriate.

I have always worked in professional offices and workplaces.  The dress code has ranged from business attire to business casual over the years, and I am happy that society has finally settled on the norm of business attire.  It can be a much less expensive way to dress.    But picking out your outfit for the day can be a chore if you aren’t in the right frame of mind. 

There are three questions I ask myself every morning when picking out what I am wearing to work:I learned this one from my mother, years ago.  DRESS FOR THE JOB YOU WANT, not the job you have.  I have always held the opinion that ‘the clothes make the man’ or, in my case, the woman.   At every job I have ever had, I pay attention to the supervisors.  Those in charge– the female supervisors, managers, directors.  Then I dress like they dress.   It is probably the easiest way to decide what to buy at the mall, and what to choose out of your closet every morning.   If they wear lots of jackets to work, so will I.  Following their lead has been the best choice for me.

1. Am I dressing for the job I want, or the job I already have?

2.  Does my appearance give the impression that I am either heading to work or just getting off work?
If you choose the right things to wear, the most appropriate wardrobe choices, you will always look like you are heading to work.    You don’t ever want to run somewhere on your lunch hour, see someone you know, have them take one look at you and say “Oh, did you have the day off today?”   Dress for work.  Even if the dress code is business casual, it is still a professional environment and should be treated as such.  

3.  Is this appropriate to wear to work?
If you have to question yourself about any article of clothing, shoes or jewelry, ‘MAYBE’ or ‘I THINK SO’ means NO.   If you aren’t sure, thats a NO.  If you ‘think’ it might be OK, thats a NO.  Unless you can 100% positively say YES, its a NO.  Period. So pick something else.

I certainly am not the world’s most fashionable person.  I don’t spend thousands of dollars on designer clothing and shoes.  I do, however, buy quality items.  I shop sales, I visit outlet malls, take advantage of coupons and discounts, and I have even found very nice clothing at thrift stores and garage sales.  I pay attention to what I already have, so when I am shopping I can find pieces to go with the items already in my closet.  

You don’t think you have the money to dress professionally? I would be willing to bet all the money I have that regardless of what size you are, I could walk into the Goodwill store right this minute, and find 10 pairs of nice dress pants and 10 dress shirts in your size.  You’d spend less than $100 and you’d have pants and shirts for 2 weeks of work. 

I also take care of my clothing.  I make sure all of the buttons, snaps and zippers are working.  If I want to avoid high dry cleaner costs, I buy things I can wash at home.  I don’t like to iron, so the ‘wrinkle-free’ dress pants and shirts are a good choice for me.  I would rather buy name-brand dress shirts at the Ralph Lauren outlet store, than spend $10-$15 on shirts from Wal-Mart or Target.  It might mean I buy a lower quantity, but I know I am getting quality clothing that will last.

Take a look at the picture at the top of this post. 

Notice anything?

The clothing is neutral.  It’s not boring or blah, in my opinion.  It’s classic.  It’s business-like.

You don’t see anyone in those pictures wearing pants that are frayed from dragging on the ground when they walk.  There are no flip-flops being worn.  No zip-up hoodies, no logos or phrases plastered across any part of the body.  No clunky bracelets or big dangly earrings.  Most of the shirts are collared, and the ones that are not are paired with a jacket.  Pants are crisp, and wrinkle-free.  The clothing FITS, there are no buttons straining, no pockets puckering.

People, just remember that the phrase ‘business casual’ still has the word BUSINESS in it. Save the other stuff for non-working hours, PLEASE!   I worry that the dress code at my company will get changed because too many people abuse it. 

OK, that felt good to get off my chest. 

So, tell me, if you work in a professional business place, what’s your take on this?