Introduction

Just two examples of cultural traits that you might not think twice about but are not shared by

everyone are time and space. Another is humour—which is infamously difficult to transmit

between languages and cultures—and business wear. Naturally, miscommunications can also

happen within corporate cultures and across regional boundaries. The ancient saying that

"clothes make the man" may not hold true for many people today, but research indicates that

employees who dress nicely are generally paid more than those who don't. Though

uncomfortable skirts and ironed white shirts seem so last century, culture norms and

underlying values—like valuing creativity above uniformity, for example—shift throughout

time and even within the same organization Byars, M., & Stanberry, K. (2019).

In certain organizations, it is generally the case that attire is a major consideration while

attending an interview. Your attire may be a factor in how certain employers view you.

following reading the "Tucked In, Tucked Out" case study from the Business Ethics

textbook's chapter 5. Here are my responses to the questions asked in the assignment, which

are based on what I have learnt in this course.

1. Q1, How do you think clothing choices affect the relationships we form at work or in
other business situations?

According to research, how you seem has a big impact on how other people see your

authority, intelligence, financial success, dependability, and appropriateness for a job or

promotion. Smith, J. (2014). This implies that the relationships we build at work will be

impacted by the clothes we wear. People in the corporate world will judge you by the clothes

you wear. For instance, I believe it's crucial to wear what you've developed when creating and

selling clothing in order to draw in clients. Failing to do so could incite customers'

unfavourable opinions. Therefore, it's critical to consider your wardrobe carefully.

Additionally, several organizations advise their staff to wear particular clothes, therefore it's

critical for staff members to abide by policies and procedures.

1. Q2, What is your opinion about workplace dress codes, and how far should employers
go in setting dress and other behavior standards?

The type of work you do and the organization you work for, in my opinion, determine the

appropriate attire for the office. In my opinion, the employer should be in charge of

establishing the dress code for the business. Keep in mind that workers represent their

employers. The people the company hires represent its objectives and ideals. Different

industries have different expectations when it comes to professional wear, thus each location

is free to set its own guidelines. It is generally accepted that everyone should dress as though

their clients could walk through the door at any time, even if they work in an office setting

where there is minimal opportunity for face-to-face engagement. The people you encounter

and how they might influence business interactions are always unpredictable. Individuals

form opinions about you mostly through visual cues, therefore the way you dress influences

people's perceptions of you and, consequently, the association they have with your business

LaMarco, N. (2019).

1. Q3, Why are these standards important (or not) from an ethical perspective?

Standards are significant because they “Creates Long-lasting Impressions"(Krimcode 2020,

para 1.). First impressions matter a lot in business, and when staff members are appropriately

dressed, investors are more likely to consider your company to be serious than if some staff

members are dressed casually and others formally.

Additionally, the standards are crucial since they "highlights the level of professionalism. The

dress code is always relative to the company’s given industry. In blue-collar jobs such as

construction sites, it is a must for workers to wear safety gear. The same principle applies to
jobs in other industries." (Krimcode, 2020, para 3.). Thus, it is exceedingly uncomfortable for

a worker to show up to a building site wearing a suit and tie without any safety gear.

Customers and investors may get the wrong idea as a result.

Standards play a crucial role in establishing rapport and reputation. People may acquire a

sense of your company's values simply by observing what employees wear when they

socialize outside of work and mention that they work for you. Your employees' networking at

social gatherings is greatly aided by this. When speaking with individuals of that status,

formal wear may draw possible partners. Potential hires may see your present employees'

work environment as welcoming and professional if you dress in smart casual (Krimcode,

2020).

In the end, they "demand respect." Respect must be earned; it cannot be given. However, one

has to prove their worth in order to earn it. The ability to make judgments and lead the team

are demonstrated by dress requirements, which help managers become more recognizable to

their subordinates (Krimcode, 2020).

1. Q4, How do you think clothing might affect an international company’s approach to
business ethics?

"Some of the most common ethical issues in international business include outsourcing,

working standards and conditions, workplace diversity and equal opportunity, child labor,

trust and integrity, supervisory oversight, human rights, religion, the political arena, the

environment, bribery and corruption" (The University of Texas at Tyler, September 27, 2022

para 2). Workplace norms and conditions include clothing. Customers may shun the business,

for instance, if the policy requires all employees, including women, to wear shirts and long

pants. This could conflict with some local cultures. Therefore, I believe that an international

company's approach to business ethics can occasionally be impacted by its employees' attire,

particularly if those employees disagree with the company's clothing culture.

In summary, clothing code matters in business, and companies should make sure their staff

adheres to it in order to draw in clients and investors. When requiring employees to wear a

certain way, the company should also take the local community's culture into account.

Additionally, they have to make sure that the staff feel at ease with the dress code.

References

Byars, S. M., & Stanberry, K. (2019). Business ethics. OpenStax College and Rice University. Retrieved from:

https://openstax.org/details/books/business-ethics

Krimcode (October 7, 2020) 8 Reasons Why Dress Code in the Workplace are Essential

https://www.krimcode.com/blog/advantages-of-dress-code-in-the-workplace/

LaMarco, N. (2019). The Importance of a Dress Code for Professionalism

https://smallbusiness.chron.com/importance-dress-code-professionalism-15554.html

Smith, J.(August 19, 2014). Here’s How Your Clothing Affects Your Success

https://www.businessinsider.com/how-your-clothing-impacts-your-success-2014-8?r=US&IR=T

The University of Texas at Tyler (September 27,2022)Ethical Considerations in International Business

https://online.uttyler.edu/degrees/business/mba/general/ethical-considerations-in-international-business/