Project dress code - for a more attractive industry

Important results from the project

The aim was to investigate whether the industry´s dress codes affect its attractiveness and thus the possibility of competence supply. The results show that the need for new dress codes is not particularly significant, though there is potential for improvement in the clothes used today. However, this is about individual preferences rather than general changes. It´s clear that young people are more inclined to use protective equipment and they place greater importance on their work environment.

Expected long term effects

Based on these results, we have obtained an answer to the project´s objective: the clothing issue alone does not currently appear to be perceived as a major problem. However, it constitutes a contributing factor linked to the work environment, values, culture and norms on the workplace. A potential follow-up project would therefor need to address several of these aspects, with the clothing issue still included as part of a broader context.

Approach and implementation

During the project, three steel companies were visited, where interviews were conducted with blue-collar workers, white-collar employees and HR staff. A digital group interview was also conducted with students at a vocational college. The material was analyzed using thematic analysis. Initially, a survey was planned to capture students´ views on dress codes in the industry, but it proved unfeasible within the given timeframe.