Frozen workers make more errors and are less productive, according to Alan Hedge, professor of design and environmental analysis and director of Cornell’s Human Factors and Ergonomics Laboratory, who studied office temperatures about a decade ago.
Compared to men drenched in sweat because they are expected to dress in a suit all year round? Even in an informal office acceptable men clothing (shorts slightly above the knees and a t-shirt) covers up a higher percentage of the body and is tighter than the acceptable clothing for women (a short sundress).
And the men can just switch to more reasonable fashion choices for warmer offices. I see plenty of tan, summer suits around town. And even some linen or seersucker from the Southern delegations to D.C.
I've never had to wear a full suit to work but I have tried some on and I can guarantee the switch from black/navy/grey suits to a tan suit would not be nearly enough to keep me cool. As a female I have a little bit more leeway and can wear thinner slacks and a light blazer over a blouse of some sort, and even that keeps me uncomfortably hot in a building of average temperature. If people get cold they can start adding layers, or social expectations can change and we can not require such a strict dress code for more formal offices. I propose everyone be allowed to wear slacks and a polo to work.
I would settle for a Roman stile tunic in the summer. Do you think I can make it acceptable by saying that it's ethnic clothing because I'm southern European?
Compared to men drenched in sweat because they are expected to dress in a suit all year round? Even in an informal office acceptable men clothing (shorts slightly above the knees and a t-shirt) covers up a higher percentage of the body and is tighter than the acceptable clothing for women (a short sundress).
This suggestion irked me:
I've never had to wear a full suit to work but I have tried some on and I can guarantee the switch from black/navy/grey suits to a tan suit would not be nearly enough to keep me cool. As a female I have a little bit more leeway and can wear thinner slacks and a light blazer over a blouse of some sort, and even that keeps me uncomfortably hot in a building of average temperature. If people get cold they can start adding layers, or social expectations can change and we can not require such a strict dress code for more formal offices. I propose everyone be allowed to wear slacks and a polo to work.
wear a sundress to work then
I would settle for a Roman stile tunic in the summer. Do you think I can make it acceptable by saying that it's ethnic clothing because I'm southern European?
those tunics are made of heavy linen so it might make you warmer.
Seriously, you could wear a kilt and a t-shirt, but the kilt's i've seen are pretty heavy.