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What Shall I Wear To Work Today?
In the interest of trying to "create a different look" from regular bankers, Bank of America has issued T-shirts and blue and red aprons to their employees in super-market branches. The apron has two pockets with make-believe "money" spilling out of each. B of A claims it makes their bankers there more "friendly and approachable" while they are roving the aisles to solicit customers.
Wells Fargo does not agree.
In super markets where Wells has branches, it is providing its in-store employees with bank-issued khaki uniforms. The women employees received two jackets, a skirt, a pair of slacks, and a selection of scarves and silk flowers in deep red, gold and shades of blue. The men got two suits each, four shirts, and five neckties. All the suits are 100% gabardine.
Observers and experts in the banking industry are of quite different opinions about which of the dress codes is "correct." Some say that if the in-store bankers look like traditional bankers, and are more overdressed than the shoppers, it will "turn off" people who run into the store in shorts and sneakers. One wonders if they would suggest that the bank employees wear shorts and sneakers!
On the other side of the argument are those who claim a certain professional appearance fosters more confidence and trust in the bankers. It also eliminates the possibility, says one, of being asked where the milk is!
One interesting comment by an individual doing a study on which style of dress was more appropriate said, "...sloppy outfits could get branch staffers confused with supermarket clerks."
At some other financial institutions that have in-store branches, the practice seems to be normal business clothes, some with aprons which bear the logo of the financial institution on them, others wear identifying pins or badges.
We are to assume dress-down days are out of the question.
Copyright © 1997 Bankers' Hotline. Originally appeared in Bankers' Hotline, Vol. 7, No. 6, 5/97
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