UBS’s detailed dress code for its Swiss retail banking staff has become overnight one of the most sought-after documents on the Internet after the WikiLeaks’ cables.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.
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.
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