State govt gives its staff formal dress code now

State govt gives its staff formal dress code now

Sujit.Mahamulkar@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:  12.12.2020

They can do a policy flip-flop, but wearing them to work is a no-no.

The state government has issued a dress code banning informal wear for its staff. The code, aimed at encouraging good conduct and discipline, will apply to officers and employees, both men and women, in all government establishments.

The order spells out the details of what construes “appropriate” clothing by urging staff to wear “formal” shirts and trousers or churidaar kurtas. Clearly, critics said, there’s no room for government staff to sport a ‘smart casual’ or ‘semi-formal look’.

However, G D Kulthe, chief convenor of Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers Federation, said the union will not oppose the move.

‘Dress code gives a feeling of responsibility’

Kulthe said, “We are okay with the decision. We will not raise any objection.”

The general administration department has issued a government resolution (GR) explaining the rationale for the move. It said many employees do not wear suitable attire to work and that this affects government’s image in general.

To promote the use of khadi, every employee, including IAS officers, is expected to wear khadi clothes at least on Friday.

Principal secretary Shrikant Deshpande, who issued the GR, told TOI that many staffers are often seen dressed in inappropriate attire, especially the newly recruited ones and those doing outsourced work. “Though it has nothing to do with the work directly, it does have a psychological effect. The dress code gives you a sense of work and feeling of responsibility,” said Deshpande. He said those who fail to comply with the guidelines will be issued a warning initially.

However, a senior HR professional, Bindu Vyankatesh, said such diktats do not necessarily work. “I don’t think government should mandate any kind of dress code, it has nothing to do with the official nature of their work,” said Vyankatesh. “Shouldn’t they (government employees) be friendly and accessible? When we go to the government or municipal office to pay bills or other work, we want them to look like ourselves.”

But another official, while reacting to the decision, said government should have gone a step ahead and imposed a uniform on employees. “Many can be seen roaming around during working hours on the pretext of having a tea break or going out after lunch. In such cases, they would be identified by their dress,” he said.