Bank tells women what to wear and men to shave

It may be old news for some of you by now, but the wires have been abuzz with the news that UBS has issued a strict dress code guide to staff in Switzerland.

The guide amounts to a weighty 44 pages, and begins with lines such as: “An impeccable appearance can procure interior peace and a feeling of security”; and, in indomitably Swiss fashion, “he who wears a watch conveys trustworthiness and great concern for punctuality.”

It goes further:

• Only suits of grey, black or navy blue may be worn, and must be kept dry-cleaned and changed daily;
• Shirt-collars must be wide enough to pass a finger inside and shirt cuffs must show between 1.5cm and 2.5cm beyond the jacket sleeve;
• Men must wear ties with patterns that “match the bone structure of their face”;
• Facial stubble, tattoos or ear-rings on a man is a big no-no;
• Only lace-up shoes can be worn and men must wear black, non-patterned socks;
• Female staff who wear skirts must ensure they descend to mid-knee and no more than 5cm below the knee;
• She must wear a white blouse that “must neither be tight on the bosom, not gape open, because that gives a negligent appearance”, with strong advisory that flesh-tinted bras are de rigueur to remain invisible under the blouse;
• Standard-style neckwear must be worn and the blouse collar must appear over the jacket lapel;
• Women may wear seven items of jewellery, but men only three;
• Female employees are also told that wearing make-up gives the impression of competence, but to avoid nail art and avoid heavy makeup;
• Female employees are even advised to do such things as wear buttons fastened when standing, unbuttoned when sitting, and warns of the dangers of wearing too-tight underwear and shoes; and
• Employees of both sexes are urged to avoid smelling of strong perfume, garlic, onion or cigarette smoke.

If you would like a copy of the guide then  Download UBS Dress Code, a loose translation.

The bank is trying to rebuild its image after receiving a $69 billion bailout as a result of the global financial crisis and, whilst appearing a little old fashioned, the Wall Street Journal reports  that this is a good guide, grounded in common sense with lots of interest globally to replicate as sane advice to any corporations’ employees on how to make a good impression. 

HT to Neil Peacock for sharing this with me.