Far from ridiculing the bank for its “Swiss precision” approach, most reactions to the code have been overwhelmingly positive, given the number of people contacting UBS and this publication for a copy of the 43-page document.
Why all this interest?
Although dress guidelines are nothing new in industries where employees are required to wear a uniform, such as airlines and catering, UBS’s advice to staff on how to make a good impression on customers can be adopted by just anyone working in a corporate environment, where appearances can make or break careers.
Far from being patronizing, the bank’s advice wouldn’t be out of place in a magazine article, while the actual guidelines — which include handy tips on grooming, personal hygiene and clothes care — are grounded in common sense.
Despite the overwhelming interest, UBS said it has no plans to make its dress code available to the public, stressing that the document is only meant for a small number of customer-facing staff in five pilot branches in Switzerland.
A bemused spokesman suggested checking out one of the several titles found in the personal development section of any bookstore, saying that the advice dispensed in style bibles doesn’t differ much from the bank’s dress code.
But the appeal of a polished appearance is coming back in fashion in the aftermath of the financial crisis and its consequent mass redundancies.
In the current climate, when unemployed people are competing for fewer jobs, paying attention to personal presentation will improve chances of being hired, said Lucinda Slater, a London-based image adviser who works with corporate clients in the legal, banking and accounting industries.
She said:
“If you look at someone with polished shoes, you think they are great timekeepers, because it shows they found the time to polish their shoes before going to work.”
On the other hand, scruffily attired people may be perceived as lackadaisical, even if their resume sports stellar qualifications.
A sleek image can even improve the chances of a career boost for those who are languishing on the corporate ladder, said Slater, who used to work as a lawyer in her previous career.
“If I was wearing my sharpest suit and my grooming was excellent when I was going to court, I felt empowered and in a better position to argue my client’s case.”
Maybe it’s time for job seekers and disgruntled employees alike to take a cue from UBS’s Swiss finishing school guidelines and get reacquainted with shoe polish.