Think your work dress code is strict? Try working for UBS. Their dress code is 43-pages long, and contains such gems as "Ties should match the bone structure of the face" for the men (erm, what?) and "Women should not wear shoes that are too tight-fitting as there is nothing worse than a strained smile."
Right.
Women are also advised to wear flesh coloured underwear, avoid letting their roots grow through and avoid coloured artificial nails. Men are banned from wearing socks with cartoon motifs, and hair must always be short, both on the head and face.
The booklet even goes as far as offering beauty tips ("'The ideal time to apply perfume is directly after you take a hot shower, when your pores are still open") to diet advice ("Our body odour can not be changed. However, we can ensure that it produces only pleasant scents. Strong breath (garlic, onions, cigarettes) can have a significant impact on communication. It is nevertheless possible to fight bad breath - during the week avoid dishes made with garlic and onions.")
Frankly, it also sounds very 1950s, and more than a little Stepford Wives-like. The booklet was released in a move to improve the image of the company after taking a substantial handout from the government during the economical crisis. However, I doubt the design of someone's socks is going to make a great deal of difference to this image.
What do you think about the dress code at UBS?
Image [Annie Mole]