Dress Code is not a Mere Body Covering: A Study of Individual Employees in Different Professions of the Sri Lankan public Sector

Abstract

As same as an inappropriate person and inappropriate dress code would not fit for a job. The importance of a logical relationship between a job and the dress code has been identified as fundamental in a dress code policy within a profession. Whether the dress affected the individual employees in different professions of the Sri Lankan public sector and the consequences caused are examined through this study. A qualitative approach was used as the research approach, and an exploratory survey was conducted with the purpose of investigating the consequences of dress codes on employees. The cross-sectional research study was conducted in a natural setting to examine the findings more realistic. Six participants, including three male and three female participants, were selected as the sample of the study by using purposive sampling techniques. Two doctors, two lawyers, one teacher and one agriculture officer representing the different professions of the public sector were purposely selected. The findings of the study revealed that all the professionals more comparatively different tasks were also affected by having or not having a prescribed dress code within their professions. This emphasized the consequences of the presence and the absence of a prescribed dress code within their professions. Hence this study helped determine the pre and post-consequences of a dress code policy to a profession, and the findings would help to identify and avoid the bad repercussions which can be aroused in the professional environment.