Bank of England's New Gender-Fluid Dress Code Challenges City Traditions
In recent years, many workplaces have significantly relaxed their dress codes, moving away from strict formal attire requirements. Men are no longer universally expected to wear suits and ties, while women are not mandated to don skirt suits and high heels. This shift has been driven by the rise of remote working and an increased focus on employee comfort and flexibility.
A Groundbreaking Policy Shift
However, the Bank of England has now introduced new guidance that represents a radical departure from traditional City norms. The updated dress code explicitly states that "anyone is welcome to wear a suit with high heels" regardless of gender identity. Furthermore, it specifies that "trans men may wear large earrings," "cis men may wear eyeshadow," and "trans women may have facial hair."
This guidance is designed to enable Bank of England staff to dress in a manner that allows them to switch between presenting as male or female "within the same outfit." The policy explicitly acknowledges that a "genderfluid person may wear a suit to work some days and a dress to work other days."
Part of Broader Inclusion Efforts
The new dress code, which has been seen by The Telegraph, forms an integral part of the Bank of England's Trans Equality and Transitioning at Work Guidance. This comprehensive framework aims to create a more inclusive workplace environment for transgender and gender-nonconforming employees.
A Bank of England spokesperson emphasized: "The bank’s mission is to maintain monetary and financial stability. As an employer, we follow the relevant laws." This statement underscores the institution's commitment to both its core functions and its legal obligations as an employer.
Contrasting City Traditions
The guidance stands in stark contrast to the City of London's longstanding unwritten rules about professional attire. For decades, strict sartorial norms have governed financial district workplaces, with brown shoes traditionally frowned upon and specific expectations for different career stages. Young men were typically expected to wear navy suits, while senior executives donned grey.
The bank's progressive changes risk disrupting years of established tradition in one of the world's most conservative financial centers. This policy shift comes alongside additional guidance issued to staff on being inclusive of transgender colleagues, which includes using "neo-pronouns" such as "xe/xem/xyr," "ze/hir/hirs," and "ey/em/eir" in place of traditional pronouns.
Economic Context and Pressures
This policy announcement occurs as the Bank of England faces mounting pressure to cut interest rates next month amid slowing economic growth. Recent Office for National Statistics figures revealed that gross domestic product grew by just 0.1 percent in the final quarter of last year, following similarly modest 0.1 percent growth in the third quarter.
Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden has indicated that it is "reasonable to expect there to be a cut over the next couple of meetings," highlighting the challenging economic environment in which these workplace policy changes are being implemented. The institution must therefore balance its progressive internal policies with its crucial role in managing the nation's monetary stability during uncertain economic times.
