Should businesses enforce a working from home dress code? Apprentice star Michaela Wain insists employees should wear the same clothes they would to the office – but GMB viewers argue productivity is more important
- Michaela Wain, from Bolton and Anju Solanki, from Chigwell appeared on GMB
- Discussed whether employees should stick to dress code for home video calls
- Comes after survey showed 27 per cent of women asked to dress up for calls
Apprentice contenstant and businesswoman Michaela Wain has insisted that companies should introduce a dress code while employees are working from home.
The Bolton entrepreneur who owns three businesses in constructionm, infrastructure and communications, and Anju Solanki, from Chigwell appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss a survey which revealed that 27 per cent of women had been asked to look more glamorous during video calls.
Mother-of-two Michaela felt employees should ‘take care of their appearance ahead of video calls and dress in the same way they would in the office, while consulting firm founder Anju believes it’s more about ‘output than appearance’.
Viewers were split over the issue, with some feeling it’s ‘common sense’ to dress in a smart way while working from home, while others argued that a more relaxed workforce could be more productive.
Apprentice star Michaela Wain (pictured) has insisted that companies should introduce a dress code while employees are working from home
Anju Solanki, from Chigwell, believes it’s more about ‘output than appearance’ when it comes to how employees dress
Michaela said: ‘I think people should stick to the dress code of the company. If a woman had her top half out, I wouldn’t think that was appropriate for the office or a Zoom meeting.
‘I don’t know why it’s a debate, you should dress how the company asks you to dress.’
When quizzed on whether she thinks employees should wear make-up, she said: ‘It’s not my decision whether they wear make-up.
‘But if they came to work and looked like they just got out of bed I would say something. They do have to take care of their appearance. ‘
Others argued that a more relaxed workforce could be more productive and that appearance has nothing to do with employees output
Some viewers felt it’s ‘common sense’ to dress in a smart way while working from home as it can help them feel ‘more motivated’
Anju disagreed, arguing that lockdown has allowed many employers to reflect on the way their employee are working.
She said: ‘Lockdown has shown us we can think and work differently and still be productive. The real question is, does what you wear affect how you work?
‘As a business owner I’ve been forced to look at output – what are you bringing in? what are you contributing? – over how you look. Lockdown has really allowed us to think about things.’
Viewers were divided, with some agreeing with Anju writing: ‘Dress sense has absolutely no affect on performance or productivity. In fact, it helps to be more relaxed.’
The pair appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss a survey which revealed that 27 per cent of women asked had been asked to look more glamorous during video calls
‘Anju made some really good points made on GMB,’ added another.
However others argued: ‘Business dress code should matter at home, too! I quite literally cannot imagine working all day in pyjamas. I tried once early during confinement and I felt sluggish and unmotivated. Dressing for work gave a mental sense of the difference between home time and work time.’
Another agreed: ‘Michaela Wain always speaks sense. Dress how you’d dress for work. Not that complicated.’
Business owner Anju was then quizzed by host Adil Ray on whether she thinks employees appear unprofessional if they chose to wear pyjamas while working from home.
Michaela finished by arguing that as an employer, she would instil the same rule on dress codes for both genders
Business owner Anju argued that the majority of Brits probably aren’t ‘in their pyjamas’ all day while working
She replied: ‘I think it’s about being realistic about the situation. It is around, what are you wearing? This whole nation of Britons, I don’t believe are in their pyjamas.
‘But it can be bold baggy jeans, it can be what you feel comfortable in. Now it’s about the output.’
Michaela finished by arguing that as an employer, she would instil the same rule on dress codes for both genders.
She said: ‘It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman, as long as you dress smart. I want all my employees to represent the brand of the company.’