IELTS General Training Reading: Formal Dress Code for Company Employees

This General Training lesson focuses on Gap fill summaries.

SECTION 2 Questions 15-27 Read the text below and answer Questions 15-21.

FORMAL DRESS CODE FOR COMPANY EMPLOYEES

At JLP, the company’s objective in establishing a formal dress code is to enable our employees to project the professional image that is in keeping with the needs of our clients and customers who seek our guidance, input, and professional services. Because our industry requires the appearance of trusted business professionals and we serve clients at our site on a daily basis, a more formal dress code is necessary for our employees.

Formal Dress Code Guidelines
In a formal business environment, the standard of dressing for men and women is a suit. Alternatively a jacket may be worn with appropriate accessories. Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is unacceptable. Clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled. No dress code can cover all contingencies so employees must exert a certain amount of judgement in their choice of clothing to wear to work. If you experience uncertainty, please ask your supervisor for advice.

Shoes and Footwear

Conservative walking shoes, dress shoes, loafers, boots, flats, dress heels, and backless shoes are acceptable for work. Not wearing stockings or socks is inappropriate. Tennis shoes and any shoe with an open toe are not acceptable in the office.

Accessories and Jewellery

The wearing of ties, scarves, belts, and jewellery is encouraged, provided they are tasteful. Items which are flashy should be avoided.

Makeup, Perfume, and Cologne

A professional appearance is encouraged and excessive makeup is unprofessional. Remember that some employees may have allergic reactions to the chemicals in perfumes and makeup, so wear these substances in moderation.

Hats and Head Covering

Hats are not appropriate in the office. Head covers that are required for reasons of faith or to honour cultural tradition are permitted.
Dress Down Days

Certain days can be declared dress down days, generally Fridays. On these days, business casual clothing is allowed. Clothing that has our company logo is strongly encouraged. Sports team, university, and fashion brand names on clothing are generally acceptable. However, you may wish to keep a jacket in your office in case a client unexpectedly appears.

Violation of Dress Code

If clothing fails to meet these standards, as determined by the employee’s supervisor, the employee will be asked not to wear the inappropriate item to work again. If the problem persists, the employee will receive a verbal warning and may be sent home to change clothes.

Complete the notes below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.

NOTES ON COMPANY DRESS CODE

Aim of formal dress code: to present a 15 …………………. to clients

Acceptable types of formal clothing: jacket or suit

State of clothes: they must be 16 …………………. and in good condition

Footwear: tennis shoes and open toe shoes are not allowed

Accessories: ties, scarves, belts and jewellery may be worn

– these must be 17 …………………. and not brightly coloured

Makeup: avoid wearing too much makeup and perfume

– these sometimes cause 18 ……………….. ..

Hats: hats should not be worn

– head covers in line with religious reasons or 19 …………………. are allowed

Dressing down: casual clothing is allowed on some Fridays

– clothing with the 20 …………………. on it is recommended

Breaking the dress code: if advice is repeatedly ignored, a 21 …………………. is given

Answers and explanations

NOTES ON COMPANY DRESS CODE

Aim of formal dress code: to present a 15 professional image to clients

At JLP, the company’s objective in establishing a formal dress code is to enable our employees to project the professional image that is in keeping with the needs of our clients and customers who seek our guidance, input, and professional services.

Acceptable types of formal clothing: jacket or suit

State of clothes: they must be 16 pressed and in good condition

Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is unacceptable. Clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled.

Footwear: tennis shoes and open toe shoes are not allowed

Accessories: ties, scarves, belts and jewellery may be worn

– these must be 17 tasteful and not brightly coloured

The wearing of ties, scarves, belts, and jewellery is encouraged, provided they are tasteful. Items which are flashy should be avoided.

Makeup: avoid wearing too much makeup and perfume

– these sometimes cause 18 allergic reactions.

Remember that some employees may have allergic reactions to the chemicals in perfumes and makeup, so wear these substances in moderation.

Hats: hats should not be worn

– head covers in line with religious reasons or 19 cultural tradition are allowed

Hats are not appropriate in the office. Head covers that are required for reasons of faith or to honour cultural tradition are permitted.

Dressing down: casual clothing is allowed on some Fridays

– clothing with the 20 company logo on it is recommended

Certain days can be declared dress down days, generally Fridays. On these days, business casual clothing is allowed. Clothing that has our company logo is strongly encouraged.

Breaking the dress code: if advice is repeatedly ignored, a 21 verbal warning is given

If clothing fails to meet these standards, as determined by the employee’s supervisor, the employee will be asked not to wear the inappropriate item to work again. If the problem persists, the employee will receive a verbal warning and may be sent home to change clothes.

Listen to the podcast explanations here:

Read more about Dress Codes for Writing Task 2 here.

And listen to us talking about dress codes in the Speaking Challenge (video link coming soon)

Get more General Training practice here.

Get the full printable worksheet with a list of key vocabulary in the Members Academy