Job ads with a casual dress code reached a 4-year high

More companies in the United Kingdom (UK) believe that the comfort brought by relaxed dress codes brings more productivity to their employees.

According to new research by job search engine Adzuna, 2,927 job ads in the UK cited a casual dress code in February, up from 2,165 job ads pre-pandemic. 

Meanwhile, of the 3,663 jobs specifying a dress code, 79.9% promoted relaxed attire – a four-year high.

On the other hand, only 5.2% of job ads specifying a dress code asked for smart casual in February 2023, down from 9.1% in February 2020. 

Even fewer ads call for business casual at 2.8% in February 2023, down from 4.6% pre-pandemic.

Adzuna Chief Customer Officer Paul Lewis said, “old fashioned formal working traditions went out the window with the pandemic, replaced with flexible options tailored to employees’ individual needs.”

The theory, explained Lewis, is that allowing staff to tailor work wear to their preferences will make them more comfortable and productive. 

Additionally, casual wear fits better around flexible working schedules, promotes a more inclusive culture, and even attracts Gen Z workers to the company. 

Read more here.