This article from CBS News began with this sentence, “In offices across the country, the sneakers-with-a-suit look is becoming increasingly common. Now, even the hallowed halls of U.S. Congress are embracing the trend.”  And, if you go to that article you will find a short CBS video news story about members of the United States Congress embracing the idea, and trying to influence colleagues, of wearing sneakers with their suits and/or dresses as they go about their business.

 

There is even a widely distributed photo of House Minority Leader Hakim Jeffries recently sitting in on a meeting in the Oval Office wearing sneakers-with-a-suit.

 

 

Now, I’m certainly not a fashion trend-setter and I do enjoy the comfort of wearing sneakers. . . . but I happen to be old enough where I still think decorum and circumstances sometimes need to dictate our dress.   I’ve actually taken to wearing Under Armour slip-on tennis shoes with golf pants because of their comfort.  I can wear them with both pants and golf shorts. . . .So, I get the comfort part.   However, I will still be putting some type of dress shoes on when I put the jacket and tie on for an event. . . such as a funeral.

 

 

The United States Senate recently passed a dress code and it should be noted it was passed after a relaxation of the Senate rules on such prompted a blowback.  Related Article — “Suit yourself:  The Senate formalizes a dress code just days after ditching it”.  North Carolina Public Radio)

 

I happen to agree with what Sen. Joe Manchin said during that process, “. . . for 234 years, senators had assumed there were some basic written rules of decorum, conduct and civility, one of which was a dress code.”  Evidently there was not, but now on a unanimous vote there is.

 

So, the Senate will have a dress code, the House evidently does not, but what we are interested in is how do funeral directors view this increased relaxation of what Sen. Manchin would label “decorum”?  From this article in Great Britain’s HR News, here’s what Paul Lewis, the Chief Customer Officer at job search engine Adzuna commented, “Old fashioned formal working traditions went out the window with the pandemic, replaced with flexible options tailored to employees’ individual needs. That’s true of everything from working hours, working location, and dress codes. The theory is that allowing staff to tailor work wear to their preferences means they’ll be more comfortable, and more productive. We’ve seen a surge in companies relaxing dress codes and allowing their staff to wear casual clothing. Not only does this fit better around flexible working schedules, but it promotes a more inclusive culture – and can even help to attract staff, particularly Gen Z.”

 

The HR News article also makes the statement, “employers favor comfort over presentation”.  I’m wondering if that is the thought process of today’s funeral home owners and managers too?

 

Or, is there still a “decorum” situation present in the working world?  One of my sons is a commercial pilot and is subject to a pretty specific dress code that requires him to wear dress shoes.  I wonder what the flying clientele would think if they showed up for their flight and he had the entire uniform on. . . but had a pair of high-top canvas Chuck Taylor shoes on his feet.  Would he look “out of place” for their expectations of their pilot?

 

Will tennis shoes at a funeral, or a visitation, or a removal from a hospital look “out of place” in respect to “expectations” of that family that just put the care of their loved one in your hands?

 

I think death care, like working in the Senate or flying an airplane still should be decorum set. . . . But, I would also agree that times are changing and some of your clientele will not care how you are dressed when you pick up their mother at the hospital. . . . . .There is no doubt that it is a “different day” already.

 

Anyway. . . something to think about as we end the week. . .Enjoy the weekend!!!

 

More news from the world of Death Care:

• Cemetery that tells of Halifax’s naval history hides in plain sight.  CBC News (Canada)
• Colorado hasn’t licensed funeral practitioners since 1983.  Now some want change.  Video story and print article.  CBS News (CO)

 

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