Revised Assignment One

Observation Assignment Boyd

Site Location: “Government Center Building”

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Assignment One

Observation of

Fashion in the Workplace

Introduction Video: http://youtu.be/P19poMcyr3c

Description of the Location: The Government Center Building is a public building where

various city transactions take place. The observation area is the 9th Floor. This area is comprised

of offices along the walls and cubicles in the center. There is a break-room and bathroom at

opposite ends of the hall. The CEO’s office is located on this floor along with all our top

executives. The conference room where I did the observation is affectionately called the fish

bowl two large glass doors and a huge table with about 12 chairs around. From the conference

room you have a direct line of sight to the elevators. All traffic coming and going must come

pass the conference room unless they opt to use one of the staircases located on each end of the

hallway. The receptionist sits to the left of the conference room to greet visitors. This is typically

a quiet floor and very professional as we get outside visitors and as stated the CEO works on this

floor.

Receptionist sits here

http://youtu.be/P19poMcyr3c



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Figured World: A figured world is a community where there is a certain level of expectation

regarding communication, dress and behavior.

The figured world under review will be fashion in the workplace. As the workplace is a

government agency the purpose would be to see if all the actors are sticking to a business casual

dress code. The definition of business casual is not set in stone so that needs to be defined.

Business casual is different for men and woman. For women it consists of slacks, dress, skirts,

blouses and cardigans, for men it is slacks, dress shirt, or dress polo. In addition, the building is a

public space meaning it has visitors, security personnel and a restaurant. The dress code does not

apply to those individuals but to those actors that are city employees.

In defining the expected behavior I’m looking for employees to be adorned in the

business casual style that was defined previously. However, there are several factors that will

alter this expectation. City employees have casual Friday when all employees are allowed to

wear jeans. There is a gym in the building which will also impact their dress at various times of

the day. Depending on your job function the dress would change such as our field employees.

The field employees can wear jeans every day because they don’t work in the office and their

jobs are labor intensive. While clothes do not talk they speak volumes. Inappropriate dress such

as; revealing clothes, super short, or tight fitted can say a lot about the job you have and your

judgment.

The various discourse communities or those groomed similarly that I expect to find are

broken out into three groups. The fashion conscience, things must match and be fairly up-to-date.

The neat and clean group, as long as it is clean and fits they are satisfied. Finally, the totally out

of compliance group that could care less about being out of compliance.

Actors: Individuals in the figured world that are under observation. They play a significant

role because they establish if the defined behaviors are being adhered. In this observation

actors will vary, depending on who passes the conference room. Anyone can fulfill the role of

maintaining the standard of business casual in the workplace.

Olaf Kinard: Director of Marketing and Communications, of the Charlotte Area Transit

Center. As a leader in this particular figured world, Olaf strives to make sure his conduct

is beyond reproach and is very conscience of his dress, behavior and communication

style. He has admitted to being color blind and on occasion will ask if things match

because of that fact. Olaf is one actor that you would find it hard to catch him violating

any workplace standards. Overall, Olaf’s role as an actor in this figured world is that of

“business casual appropriate” or someone who is compliant with the rules or the figured

world.

Wanda Braswell: Assistant to the CEO, Wanda is similar to Olaf in that she is your

consummate professional. On casual Friday she is wearing a suit. While not a manager

she manages the CEO and what is called the leadership team (comprised of all the top

executives.) Wanda would never violate the standards of appropriate behavior. As the

Assistant to the CEO people look to her as a standard. Employees feel if she is wearing or

doing it then it must be acceptable.



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City Employees: These are various co-workers that I observed going about their daily

work activities and rituals. They are significant because their dress and behavior will be

the majority of the individuals I come across in my observation. These employees are not

managers. I will refer to these actors as (CE’s) throughout the observation.

Unknown Employees: As stated this is a public building and CATS (Charlotte Area

Transit System) shares the floor with other city departments. At any given time they are

various employees on the floor. Some are in compliance with the dress code and others

are not following the described behaviors of this figured world and as such play a vital

part in this observation.

Artifacts: These are the tangible items, which will correlate to specific actors within the

figured world and are culturally significant to the workplace as a whole.

Conference Room: It is assumed that anyone in the conference room must be conducting

business. While it is glass and people can see in or out, you rarely will catch anyone

looking directly in the room while a meeting is going on.

Leadership Team: This group is made up of all the top level executives and carries the

stigmatism of decision makers. They are the leaders of the organization and therefore,

expectation of dress would be high.

Outfits/Dress: These will play a large part in the figured world because they set the

standard for what is acceptable and unacceptable. This will be interesting since the

definition of business casual is not clearly defined in City Policy.

Receptionist Desk: The area where visitors must in some sense be validated. Such things

as: Do you belong on this floor? Why are you here? Did you make an appointment?

The Ninth Floor: It represents leadership. People do not want to work on the 9th floor

because it signifies you being under the watchful eye of leadership.

Discourse Communities: These are groups that will have similar behavior and dress within the

figured world of the government center.

People with Titles: Leadership Team (Wanda & Olaf). Each one of these people is

perceived as high on the food chain. They set the expectation of being properly groomed

at all times. They also know they are being looked at an example of appropriate office

behavior.

Office Workers: The unknown employees who pass the conference room going about

their daily activities. Within this group it is broken out into a further discourse

community. Those who are dress business casual appropriate and those who are not.

Visitors: These are people who come to the 9th floor to conduct some business with the

City of Charlotte and have no expectation of dress or grooming put on them. However, a

certain level of communication and knowledge is considered appropriate. (i.e. cell phone

use, who do you want to see)

Literacy Practices: Are the expected behavior of the actors in the figured world. This would

include their dress and grooming and certain basic office etiquette. This would include the

interaction with others based on the outlined expected behavior.



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Dress/Grooming: What you wear in on display. If entering a meeting with other workers

not being dressed in a business casual manner would cause a response. Whether it is

outright or whispers some response would be manifest. Comments are quite often made

such as; I like your shoes, or that is a nice dress, what a cute sweater.

Communication: The 9th floor is very quiet with it being the CEO’s floor the

communication remains extremely professional. Most employees are in cubicles so

conversations are audible to all. In an email or low volume phone call other

communication styles will be prevalent.

Observation One

Friday, January 24, 2014

Time: 1:30PM-2:00PM

Note: (This observation takes place on Casual Friday. Karmalita the receptionist is a constant

actor in the entire observation. The abbreviation CE used throughout the three observations

stands for City Employee)

1:30PM-Karmalita, receptionist is at her desk taking care of various tasks. Karmalita is wearing

all navy (blouse, slacks, and shoes.)

1:30PM-Olaf Kinard, is getting on the elevator to get his usual drink refill at the Showmars

restaurant in the building. He is wearing blue jeans, burgundy shirt, black belt and sneakers. He

says to Karmilita “I will be right back.”

1:30PM-Wanda Braswell, is going to pick her lunch up from Showmars that she called in earlier.

She stops to ask me something but decides otherwise. Next she gets on her cellphone and

proceeds on the elevator downstairs. Wanda is wearing a grey suit, white blouse, black shoes and

stockings.

1:30PM-Unknown Employee steps off the elevator with a gym bag slung over his right shoulder

wearing a pair of black sweat pants and a red t-shirt apparently returning from the gym.

1:32PM-Gracie Myers, our HR Manager is rushing out of the office making her way over to our

South Tryon facility which is known to have employee issues. She has three pocketbooks and a

folder in hand. Gracie is wearing brown slacks and boots with an orange coat. As the elevator

doors open she immediately greets all those on the elevator.

1:33PM- Olaf, returns from downstairs and enters the conference room. He wants to know what

I’m doing. I explain the project he immediately leaves.

1:35PM- A male visitor arrives with two packages in his hand and immediately lets Karmalita

know he has a bid proposal for the procurement department. He is wearing a navy pinstripe suit,

white shirt, light blue tie and brown shoes.

1:37PM- Vanessa Stevenson, (CE) arrives at the front desk. She is the assistant to the

procurement department. Vanessa, will log the package and explain the next steps in the process

for the visitor. She is wearing jeans, a brown sweater, cream shirt and Ugg boots.



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1:38PM-Chris, the mailroom guy steps off of the service elevator with his mail cart. He is

wearing navy pants and a stripe sweatshirt and beanie. He rolls his cart around the 9th floor

delivering mail and small discussion with various workers. He waves hey to me in the

conference room.

1:40PM-Wanda, returns from picking up lunch still on her phone head down and walking toward

her office.

1:42PM-Celia Gray, (leadership team member) comes to the floor via the steps to get coffee

from the coffee club station. She is wearing all cream, khakis, sweater and shoes. She gets her

mail from Karmalita looks to see who is in their cubes or office and moves on.

1:50PM-Ethan finance officer comes in conference room and asks me if I was busy. He wanted

to ask me about the advertising breakout of revenue for bus and revenue for light rail. We talk

for five minutes work related. Ethan is wearing navy jacket, khaki slacks and blue/white

pinstripe shirt. Have a good weekend he says and moves along.

1:57PM-A meeting breaks up in the conference across the hall and 15 participants (men/women)

wait in the corridor for the elevator to go down. The elevator is full three males wait for the next

elevator. This is unspoken behavior in the government center that males will allow woman to

enter the elevator first and then proceed inside.

Overall, in observation number one everyone noticed me but no one asked me what I was doing

accept for my manager Olaf.

Observation Two

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Time: 10:00AM-10:30AM

10:00AM-- The receptionist desk is vacant, there is no sign of Karmalita, this is very odd.

10:02AM-Brian Nadolny, (CE) is coming off the elevator with breakfast in hand from

Showmars. He is wearing navy pants and a navy and white checkered shirt.

10:03AM- Two unknown employees are waiting at the elevator to go down. One lady has on a

black pant suit, white blouse and black pumps. The other lady is wearing black slacks and a

cream button down blouse. No conversation just waiting in silence.

10:05AM- An Unknown Employee passes the conference room looks in and waves and keeps

walking. He is wearing khaki colored slacks and blue pullover sweater with a white shirt

underneath.

10:06AM- John Rose, (CE) has worked with the organization for 30 years, waits at the elevator

to go down stairs. He is wearing jeans and a checkered short sleeve shirt.

10:08AM-Krystel Green, (CE) comes to the floor for her weekly meeting with her manager Kim

Taylor. She is wearing a white blouse, fuchsia sweater, grey slacks and black belt and shoes.

“You just in hear hanging out Lavernia.” I say “yea” and smile.



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10:10AM- Zettie Phillips, (CE) waiting at the elevator to go upstairs. She is wearing grey

pinstripe slacks and a cream sweater.

10:12AM Zettie, returns with papers in her hand.

10:13AM- Pamela White, Manager of Scheduling in Operations, comes to meet with the

graphics department in regards to the upcoming schedule change. She is known to struggle with

her wardrobe choices. Today she is wearing khaki pants, a pink blouse with a beige sweater and

brown shoes and belt.

10:15AM- Karmalita, returns to the desk she is wearing khaki pants, flower print blouse and a

cream sweater.

10:21AM John Rose, returns with coffee in his hand back to his office. Many employees

speculate on what he actually does for CATS.

10:22AM- Two employees from another CATS facility arrive. They are maintenance workers

because they have on uniforms. Navy pants and navy shirts with work boots. They are here to

deliver boxes from our long term storage facility. They both look around unfamiliar with the

building.

10:25AM- Maintenance employees return to the elevators to leave. As they stand at the elevator

they begin to speak in a whisper to one another. The elevator is taking longer than normal they

begin to fidget nervously. They can’t wait to get out of this building.

10:26AM-An Unknown Employee arrives to work with a black coat, hat and slacks. Red

pocketbook and lunch bag in hand. Head down headed to her office.

10:27AM-Marjorie Parker, Manager of Records Retention comes to the 9th floor to pick up the

boxes the maintenance workers dropped off. She waves to me as she walks by the conference

room. Marjorie is wearing black pants and a gold sweater with headband to match.

10:30 Marjorie returns to elevators to go back to the 7th floor. At the elevators she has a

conversation with Debbie Simmons, (CE). They are discussion a procurement request. Debbie is

wearing black pants, white blouse, a light blue sweater and black shoes.

Observation Three

Monday, February 3, 2014

Time: 8:00AM-8:30AM

Note: (I decided to make this observation sitting outside of the conference to see what response

I would get. Towards the end of my observation you will note people were getting extremely

paranoid about me sitting there taking notes.)

8:00AM-Tina Votaw, (CE) is standing at Pallas office door, manager of the Art-in-Transit

program having their morning conversation. Tina is wearing black slacks, pink blouse, and pink

multi colored blazer. Pallas is in her office I cannot see what she is wearing.



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8:02AM- The phone at the receptionist desk rings once and Karmalita answers. She is wearing

all black today blouse, slacks and shoes.

8:03AM-John Muth, (leadership team member) arrives with briefcase in hand, wearing khaki

pants and lightweight navy blue jacket with brown loafers. “Good Morning, Lavernia. I respond

“morning John”.

8:04AM-Tina, leaves and returns to her office.

8:04AM- An Unknown Employee comes to the floor looking lost but slowly makes his way

down the hall. He is wearing a blue checkered long sleeve button up shirt, grey slacks, black

shoes and an eyeglass necklace. He stops at the cubicle right after the receptionist desk. He was

looking for Katie, (CE) who works in the Art-in-Transit department. She is in her cube I cannot

see what she is wearing.

8:05AM- 8:10AM- There is no traffic on our side of the elevator. It is raining very heavy this

morning and this has many employees running behind schedule.

8:10AM-An Unknown Employee waits for the elevator to go to another floor. She is wearing

black slacks with a black and gold sweater.

8:15AM-Kim Taylor, Manager of the Graphics Department, arrives wearing a burgundy mid-

length trench. Carrying two bags (lunch/gym) a pocketbook and an umbrella in hand.

8:16AM- Dee Pereira, (leadership team member) arrives to work. She is wearing a purple dress

and jacket with black stockings, shoes, and a brown pocketbook. She says “Good Morning

Lavernia” “Good morning”, I reply. She turns around to see what I’m doing.

8:17AM-Kim is on her way to the restroom, she is wearing a taupe pantsuit, brown blouse and

shoes. She says to me “What are you doing out of your cube”. I give no direct answer just laugh

it off.

8:17AM- James Karner, (CE) is walking down the hall towards the printer. He is wearing a long

sleeve three button grey shirt and khaki pants. Stops to talk about the Superbowl and finally ask

“are you writing in your diary.” My response, “Yes James at work I’m writing in my diary”. He

walks closer to see if he can make out the writing I take my arm and cover my journal. He

continues on to his destination.

8:18AM- Carolyn Flowers, (CEO) arrives to work. She is wearing a grey suit, white blouse,

black stockings and shoes. In addition, she has two bags and her black leather jacket slung over

her shoulder. She greets me I return the greeting and she continues to her office.

8:20AM-Olaf Kinard, (leadership team member) is on his way to the 2nd floor to attend the

Transit Funding Working Group meeting. He is wearing a grey suit, white shirt, yellow tie, and

black shoes and belt. He turns and says “Oh and I’m wearing rockport shoes” I laugh and say

“thanks I will note that”.



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8:20AM-Judy, (CE) arrives khaki jacket, two bags and umbrella in hand. She puts her bags down

and makes her way to the restroom. She is wearing black slacks, pink shirt and a grey sweater.

8:21AM-Paulus Ford, (CE) arrives at the government center he is sitting up the equipment for

the Transit Funding Working Group. He comes to the floor to get some supplies he will need and

see if Wanda needs any help.

8:23AM-Iris McCauley (CE) steps out of her office looks around like she forgot something and

goes back in her office. She is wearing a black dress, red sweater, black stockings and shoes.

8:25AM-Ron Tober, former CEO for CATS arrives to attend the Transit Funding working Group

meeting he comes to the 9th floor to find out what room it is in. I say “I am not sure but I will

find out” before I can Paulus is at the elevator and tells him room 280.

8:27AM-Judy, once again comes by and says this time “So what are you doing”? I state “school

work that’s all”. She then proceeds to her cubicle.

8:27AM-Tina Votaw, Dee Pereira, Kim Taylor and John Muth, make their way to the elevators

“So are you taking attendance and time of when everyone arrives” and Tina comments “I see you

are taking notes are you jotting when everyone arrives”. I laugh and state oh no nothing like that.

8:27AM -8:30AM- There is no traffic during this time. As I get up to leave at 8:30AM

Karmalita says “Yeah maybe you should go back to your cubicle you are making everyone

nervous. We laugh I return to my cubicle.

Note: (I decided to have two interviews because I thought it would be helpful to have the

perspective of a male and a female employee. Both participants asked to remain anonymous

which was not a problem. However, you will have enough detail to see the impact of fashion in

the workplace on each interviewed participant. Neither participant is on the management

level.)

Interview Participant #1

City Employee Female has been with the organization for 12 years

1. How do your clothes makes you feel?

I wear clothes that I feel suit my body. They are comfortable and make me feel pretty,

girly, sexy, trendy and classy all at the same time.

2. Explain your thoughts on others observing your dress and does it influence your choices?

I love it when I receive compliments on my choice of dress especially when I think I’m

wearing something exceptionally cute. But, whether or not a person likes what I’m

wearing doesn’t influence my choices. I have unique tastes at times and I wear what

makes me feel good.

3. What is your opinion of causal Friday?



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I think people have different opinions of what “casual” means. I have seen some people

wear jogging suits into the office on causal Friday and some rock blazers with jeans.

Personally I like the option of being able to dress down and I think it is okay as long as

your appearance is neat, workplace appropriate and you carry yourself professionally.

4. Give me an example of an inappropriate outfit you’ve seen in the workplace?

A lady once wore skinny jeans with cutouts going up the entire length of the pants on the

outside of legs, a super tight shirt and “hooker” heels. She looked like she was going to

the club instead of work.

a. Did change your opinion of that person and why or why not?

Because this woman often wears clothes that are inappropriate in the workplace

I’ve always perceived her as unprofessional and lacking the desire, ability or

knowledge to perform her job functions well. That outfit only reinforced this.

5. Overall what do you think of your co-workers dress and grooming?

Overall, I think people dress appropriate in the workplace and take care of their grooming

needs.

6. Tell me how your dress would change if it were a component of our PRD? (Performance

Review Development)

Since we don’t have an official dress code policy and I always dress business casual I

would not change anything. If a policy was implemented and I was being rated on my

PRD I would probably dress more professional more often.

Interview Participant #2

City Employee Male, has been with the organization for 14 years

1. How do your clothes makes you feel?

My clothes represent a sense of identity and boost my confidence levels. They are an

outward expression of my mood.

2. Explain your thoughts on others observing your dress and does it influence your choices?

Depending on the situation I am in, other’s observation do affect my clothing choices.

However as I age this has become less so, particularly in my professional life. I used to

have very separate clothing options for work and leisure. Lately I have tried to

incorporate more of my personality into my daily work wardrobe. Sometimes outside of

work I would wear items for the sole purpose to see others observations. People have told

me, “Only you could wear that”. My reply is to “wear it like you mean it.”

3. What is your opinion of causal Friday?



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I do not mind Casual Friday, however if it did not exist I would be fine with wearing

professional attire. I don’t find it a chore to wear business professional clothing

throughout the week, but it is nice to have the option to dress down one day.

4. Give me an example of an inappropriate outfit you’ve seen in the workplace?

I have seen outfits in the workplace that were too tight, too short and too much. However,

my example of inappropriateness deals with a high ranking superior that never seems to

dress the part. This individual can go a week wearing the same sweater vest or fleece

jacket.

a. Did change your opinion of that person and why or why not?

The individual’s clothing choice made me feel that the person was just out of it

and not present of mind. If you hold a high ranking position, I believe that your

dress should reflect that authority. When a person dresses down too much in that

situation, I believe that it can erode the respect others have for them.

5. Overall what do you think of your co-workers dress and grooming?

I find that the majority of the best dressed at my work are the women. Much of the men

to tend dress in what I would term as “slouchy” such as daily wearing khakis, polo shirts,

and cargo pants. Additionally, as far as the men are concerned it seems that not a lot of

thought went into their daily clothing decisions.

6. Tell me how your dress would change if it were a component of our PRD? (Performance

Review Development)

I would have no problem if dress were a component of a PRD. I would be challenged to

find clothing that is professional but would also express my individuality. I would more

than likely purchase more full suits and become more adept at “mixing and matching”.

Revised Assignment One

Documents

Transcript of Revised Assignment One