Backlash Against 'Business Casual' ?

Relaxed office dress codes are still creating pitfalls, even though they've been around in one form or another for well over a decade.

Weighing in early this week, USA Today blamed inter-generational conflicts for causing the latest round of flare-ups over what is and isn't appropriate to wear at work.

"A backlash is brewing" against all-casual, all-the-time, the newspaper says.

The number of employers allowing casual dress days every day has plunged from 53% in 2002 to a new low of 38%.

The reason for the return to more dressed-up attire is, in part, because of the confusion generated by business casual standards. Should flip-flops be allowed? What about tennis shoes, jeans and shorts? Sleeveless dresses? T-shirts? Younger employees are more likely to push the envelope, rankling more veteran generations who have long worked in offices where ties and skirts were expected no matter the day of the week. Many employers resent becoming fashion police.

'Business casual' causes confusion [USA Today]