Cypriots dress-down at work

New research by flexible workspace provider Regus found that the traditional business attire of suit and tie are reaching the end of the line, with workers globally reporting they are now often seen as too formal.

The survey of almost 40,000 workers around the world highlighted that more casual dress choices are preferable in today’s work environment.

Specifically, business people reported that jeans (79%) and t-shirts (51%) are now considered as suitable office attire. Home workers generally conform to stereotype with 43% saying they sometimes work in their pyjamas or even underwear (20%). However, four fifths (82%) rush to smarten up before a video call.

In Cyprus, business people report that a suit and tie are often regarded as too formal for the modern office place (76%). More than a quarter of workers confess to working in just their underpants at home (27%), and flip flops (21%) and tracksuits (42%) acceptance are above the world wide average.

“Today’s office place has radically changed in many aspects. Not only is the technology we use much more advanced, but less rigidly vertical hierarchies are in place,” said Katerina Manou, General Manager of Regus for Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria.

“It’s hardly surprising that in this rapidly changing scenario people’s view on business dress code have also changed. While a suit and tie remain standard in only a few areas of businesses, jeans and smart-casual attire are now common well outside the creative industries. Perhaps also influenced by Silicon valley’s casual and much talked-about attitudes to workwear, workers now expect a more laid back approach to office dressing.”