Clothing at work: why jogging pants have many advantages

The way people dress in the workplace has changed a lot over the last few decades – while in the 80s and 90s the suit and skirt could still be found in many offices, today clothing is no longer the top priority. This is also due to the fact that more and more processes are being digitized and customer contact is decreasing. Today we're going to look at what clothing requirements your employer is actually allowed to give you and why sweatpants have real added value!

What clothing at work can the boss prescribe?

Even today, uniforms and uniform clothing are still standard in some areas - for example in the police or in industry , the workers all look very similar. Also, you would probably be very surprised when your flight attendant greets you in sweatpants and a hoodie. In some professions, the tradition of a uniform style of clothing has prevailed to this day.

But what can the employer actually tell you about clothing at work and what not? Are you forced to show up in a suit and patent leather shoes when your boss says so? Or are there perhaps even effective ways of defending oneself against it? We checked it out!

When it comes to clothing at work, the boss has the right to give instructions

In order for the employer to be able to specify a certain style of clothing for you at work, he must have a legitimate interest in the choice of clothing . This is the case, for example, if a dress code was included in the employment contract, which you signed. In such a case, the works council has a say in what clothing is to be worn during working hours. This then determines whether uniforms should be imported and used.

This dress code is often used in professions in which a certain seriousness is to be conveyed - for example in the bank, in insurance or even with tax consultants. Here it is also in the interest of the company and can affect reputation how employees dress. In such a case, the employer can require its employees to dress appropriately.

Important: If the employer's request has no legitimate basis and is not agreed in the employment contract, you do not necessarily have to comply with it.

If a fixed style of clothing is specified at the workplace, then the employer can maintain this even in extreme heat - but he can relax the dress code at his own discretion. If you do not comply with the dress code without prior agreement, for example when you come to work in the bank with sandals, the employer can ask you to go home again.

Attention: Failure to comply with the signed dress code can lead to warnings or even termination. If you have a problem with the prescribed clothing at work, your first step is to contact the works council .

If you would like to learn more about various topics from everyday employment law, you are welcome to visit the desqup website under the blog item.

Sweatpants as clothing at work - is that allowed?

Again, it depends on the individual case . In principle, Article 2 of the Basic Law also applies in the workplace, i.e. the free development of personality - this also includes being able to wear what you want. Of course, the exceptions mentioned above should not apply here, because then the employer can ban sweatpants at work .

Sweatpants as a piece of clothing at the workplace must not be banned without further ado - for this to happen, the employer must have a legitimate interest in your style of clothing. You have to decide for yourself whether you want to come in your baggiest pants.

Sweatpants in the Workplace - Types & Benefits

If you wear a pair of (nice) jogging pants at work , then you have many advantages . These include, among others, the following:

• Many people feel much more comfortable in comfortable clothes and can work better. So you stay fit and relaxed with the sweatpants as workwear even on long days
• You sit much more relaxed. There's no waistband on a pair of jeans or a belt on a pair of pants to constrain you or pinch your hips. This is a real plus point, especially for long conferences
• If you don't always present yourself perfectly styled to your colleagues, that shows a certain self-confidence, which can also bond within the company
• The sweatpants show a bit that you work in a modern company. An old-fashioned company would probably not allow sweatpants as workwear and would be more conservative

As you can see, there are good reasons to wear sweatpants as workwear. You also have to make a distinction, because in addition to sweatpants with a total baggy look, there are also fashionable and modern alternatives that are just as comfortable. In this section we take a look at the types of jogging pants and what features a "smart" jogging pant should have.

We recommend dark and smooth fabrics for jogging pants for the workplace, as well as a slightly more unusual cut. So it looks more like suit pants. Heavy fabrics make jogging pants easy to care for and often non-iron, together with a white blouse or shirt you can even make them into a business outfit. You should also choose simple patterns so that you can make a serious appearance despite jogging pants.

The jogging pants described apply primarily to women - but there is also a solution for men, the so-called comfort pants . It is a combination of suit and trousers and is still very comfortable.

Conclusion: sweatpants as clothing in the office

Jogging pants are no longer as unfashionable as they were a few years ago. With a modern model you are dressed smartly despite the comfort and your company is presented in a modern way.

A modern company also needs healthy and ergonomic office equipment, and this is where desqup comes into play. Our height-adjustable desks and ergonomic stools ensure that you don't risk your health even on long working days and that you stay motivated and fit. The desqup Pro is our top seller and has all the important functions of a desk: a robust tabletop, several USB ports and obstacle detection.

The combination of comfortable clothes and an ergonomic workplace ensures that you are permanently happier and fitter at work. On our detailed product pages you will find a lot more information about our products & how to best use them!

Also interesting: At desqup, as a corporate customer , you always get attractive discounts . Just have a look at our page " for companies ".