Work Attire and Work Productivity of Employees While Teleworking During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic changed work attire during many months of remote work. This exploratory study contributes new knowledge on whether chosen attire while working from home affects employee self-perceived work productivity in four areas: quality of work, work ethic, motivation, and mental health. Two exploratory studies, a qualitative study in June 2020 (n = 20) and a survey in June 2021 (n = 89), were designed to examine employees’ attire while working from home, analyzing self-perceived work productivity related to work-time attire decisions. Results from both studies indicate that quality of work, work ethic, motivation at work, and mental health were largely unaffected by attire choices. Qualitatively, respondents shared strong sentiments that their work attire does not affect their overall work productivity. Quantitative results confirmed that attire while working from home during COVID-19, office attire worn prior to COVID-19, and company dress code policy to be unrelated to work productivity measures for this sample. The discussion examines the necessity of dress codes from the perspective of the COVID-19 work experience and demonstrates the lack of association between attire and productivity in terms of independent remote work. (186/200 words)

Keywords:

• dress codes
• work-from-home
• COVID-19 pandemic
• work attire
• work productivity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Abbey Bartosiak

Dr. Abbey Bartosiak is a consumer research & pricing analyst for a well-known auto glass company. Her research interests focus on consumer behavior and its application to communication and marketing strategies. Specifically, she examines the role of social media use and social media influencers as their relationship relates to consumer social, psychological, and financial wellbeing. She targets generational and gender differences in her work and aims to translate research findings into practice. [email protected]

Cäzilia Loibl

Dr. Cäzilia Loibl is a Professor of Consumer Sciences in the Department of Human Sciences at The Ohio State University. Her research focuses on financial decision-making across the life span and its implications for public policy and community-based interventions.

Julie Hillery

Dr. Julie Hillery is an Associate Professor Clinical and the leader of the Fashion and Retail Studies program in the Department of Human Sciences at The Ohio State University. Her research examines ethics, sustainability, and corporate responsibility in the fashion, retail and hospitality industries.