To me this seems like basic life maintenence but if not could be an incentive to work with a professional organizer/LMSW to help get you set for the do's....
Dress to Impress, UBS Tells Staff
By ELENA BERTON
First impressions count. This is the message Swiss bank UBS AG is sending its Swiss retail banking staff with a 43-page code dispensing advice on how to impress customers with a polished appearance.
Echoing rules applied at Swiss boarding schools, UBS's guidelines go beyond a list of dress "do's" and "don'ts" by providing hygiene and grooming tips often dotted with aphorisms worthy of fashion and beauty magazines.
The move is part of a test UBS is carrying out in Switzerland across five pilot branches. It follows a recent advertising campaign aimed at re-establishing confidence in the Swiss bank's brand and mending relations with clients.
The UBS Dress Code: Do's and Don'ts
Do's
For women:
- Wear your jacket buttoned.
- When sitting, the buttons should be unfastened.
- Make sure to touch up hair regrowth regularly if you color your hair.
For men:
- Store your suit on a large hanger with rounded shoulders to preserve the shape of the garment.
- Schedule barber appointments every four weeks to maintain your haircut shape.
Don'ts
- Eating garlic and onions
- Smoking or spending time in smoke-filled places
- Wearing short-sleeved shirts or cuff links
- Wearing socks that are too short, showing your skin while sitting
- Allowing underwear to be seen
- Touching up perfume during or after lunch break
- Using tie knots that don't match your face shape and/or body shape
As if taking a cue from style manuals, which often stress the importance of well-cut basic outfits in neutral colors, the bank expects its retail banking staff to wear suits in dark grey, black or navy blue, since these colors "symbolize competence, formalism and sobriety."
Short skirts are off limits for female staff, who are told the ideal length should reach the middle of the knee. Showy accessories and trendy spectacles are a no-no. The document isn't short of handy grooming tips.
"Light makeup consisting of foundation, mascara and discreet lipstick ... will enhance your personality," the code says, while advising women not to wear black nail polish and nail art.
The hair-care section notes studies have shown that properly cared-for hair and a stylish haircut "increase an individual's popularity."
Oswald J. Gruebel, chief executive of Swiss Bank UBS, speaks during a press conference in Zurich earlier this year.On the other hand, designer stubble is out of the question for men, as is excessive facial hair.UBS's advice for men even extends to underwear, which should be of good quality and easily washable, but still remain undetectable. Black knee-high socks are preferable as they prevent showing bare skin when crossing legs, it says.
Strong fragrances are unadvisable in the presence of customers, along with garlic and cigarette breath, the code says. The solution: "Avoid garlic and onion-based dishes."
Accessorizing for male staff excludes items like bracelets and earrings, but wearing timepieces is encouraged, since wristwatches suggest "reliability and great care for punctuality."
UBS spokesman Jean-Raphael Fontannaz acknowledged that the code may appear very detailed and "in line with Swiss precision," but pointed out that these guidelines were originally set up for temporary staffers who may be new to working in a banking environment.
He said the dress code may be rolled out in all UBS's branches in Switzerland if the test proves successful. "Even so, only around 1,500 [employees] would be affected, less than 10% of our staff in Switzerland," Mr. Fontannaz added.
"The goal is for clients to immediately know that they are at UBS when they are entering the bank," he said. "After the test phase we may implement the dress code, or adapt it, or not use it at all."
—Anita Greil in Zurich contributed to this article.Write to Elena Berton at elena.berton@dowjones.com
I could see how some people may be offended by the dress code at first glance (specifically by some of the grooming tips for women). And I also agree that this seems like basic life maintenance! However, every company needs to maintain an image - whether it's creative or corporate. And although the details may seem a little excessive, they are probably necessary in light of the slackening of the global corporate culture. Basically, boost that image and your wallet might follow.
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