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A Published Dress Code Is Dressed Down in Furor
Special Counsel Scott J. Bloch expressed surprise that "food for thought" was found unpalatable.
(Lois Raimondo - Twp)
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Could all this ado about clothing hint at a new concern for federal personnel packaging?
The Office of Special Counsel advice comes on the heels of a July Treasury Department newsletter that attempted to inspire staffers toward more daring, edgy new looks.
Women, the July 21 issue of Treasury Notes advised, should take "your every day suit, find a fabulous and outlandish oxford, and pair it with glamorous sunglasses and colorful bag and shoes to match." Men were encouraged to "indulge in the beauty and love of a suit, by buying yourself a custom-made suit. . . . Outfit it with quality oxfords and eye-catching cuff links."
Last week, Debra Katz, an attorney representing a group of employees in an unrelated case against Bloch, wrote to the co-chairmen of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, Reps. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.) and Hilda L. Solis (D-Calif.), asking that the caucus direct Bloch to "rescind the highly sexist and patronizing advice he provided to OSC's female workforce."
Katz believes that the dress code violates Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which, she said in the letter, "holds employers legally accountable for permitting rigid gender-based stereotypes to operate to the detriment of their female employees."
Then, there is the insult to their common sense. "These people work at 17th and M," she said. "It's not like they haven't seen business attire."
Smith said the office understands that Title VII allows employer dress-code distinctions based on sex.
After The Washington Post contacted his office about the dress-code flap this week, Bloch issued a memo to "Everybody": "I would like to clear up some apparent confusion regarding OSC's dress policy. Attached is my 2004 policy directive, which remains in effect today."
Bloch went on to explain that -- oops -- the business casual advice was copied (without attribution) from student Web sites at the University of Missouri and Virginia Tech.
The plagiarized dress code "was placed in the newsletter by employees," Bloch emphasized. "I understood it was offered as food for thought from the business and professional world, and not as anything required."
It was a note that would have made the true writers of the newsletter dress code proud. When caught (figuratively) with one's khakis down, the code advises: Make "a quick, pleasant apology, then make a good impression with your interpersonal skills."
