A study conducted by the Western Hemisphere Chamber of Commerce (WHCC) reveals that more and more businesses are designating Fridays as "Dress Up/Down" days. This follows on the heels of successful Dress Down Friday policies at many firms and organizations. According to one unnamed (but very fetching) executive at a major corporation, "It wasn't such a stretch. Most of our women employees were already wearing slacks on Friday, so in a way this is only a change for about half our workers. We didn't want the legal hassles of denying our male employees the equivalent freedom to wear skirts. As long as everyone stays within the bounds of good taste, makes an effort at color coordination, and refrains from mixing plaids and stripes, we don't foresee any major problems."

Higher Management Pleased

In some organizations, the new policy is giving some of their higher ranking executives a chance to join in the Friday fun without relaxing their traditional standards too much. Ms Doolittle, a spokesperson at the law firm of Moore, Freedman and Soon explained, "Some of our senior partners were uncomfortable with the idea of wearing jeans in the office on Fridays. This gives them a chance to go tieless and still wear a three-piece suit. They don't seem to mind that the jacket may be cropped, the blouse sleeveless and the skirt quite narrow. It seems they've caught on quickly and are taking it all in [a shorter] stride."

Good Results Reported

No companies cited in the study reported any negative effects to the WHCC. In fact, morale and productivity have usually increased as employees have grown closer through mutual respect (and the sharing of fashion and beauty tips). Those working in shifts seem most enthusiastic. The study quoted one young man who said, "Personally, I never minded the long shifts, but it's a nice change to be able to wear separates or a full-skirted dress once in a while." At most companies employing the new policy, Friday has also become unisex bathroom day, with many employees referring to trips to the washroom as "visiting Ally McBeal."

Submitted to us by a source at the WHCC.

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