Dhaka, July 24 (V7N) – In an effort to ensure a professional and uniform working environment, Bangladesh Bank has mandated a strict dress code for all its employees across all levels. The new regulation, which came into effect on July 21, requires all staff to wear formal attire to the office. Female employees must wear sarees, salwar-kameez, scarves, or other professional and modest outfits. Short-sleeve shirts, short-length dresses, and leggings are explicitly prohibited. Male employees are instructed to wear formal shirts, pants, and shoes. Jeans and gabardine pants are no longer allowed in the office.
 
The order, issued by the bank’s Human Resources Department, was distributed to all divisions and offices on Wednesday. The guidelines also specify that employees can wear simple headscarves or hijabs, but they must adhere to the overall formal dress code. A designated officer will be assigned to ensure compliance with these rules. Any employee found violating the dress code will face disciplinary action.
 
A spokesperson for Bangladesh Bank clarified that the objective of this new directive is to create a more professional atmosphere in the bank, ensuring equal dress standards among employees. "The goal is to remove any discrepancies in dress and promote a sense of uniformity," the spokesperson said.
 
Regarding the hijab, the spokesperson clarified that no employee is being forced to wear one, but rather, the directive ensures that wearing a hijab is permissible under the new dress code.
 
According to the spokesperson, while there have been no reports of inappropriate dress in the office, new recruits, particularly fresh university graduates, sometimes face criticism from their female colleagues for their clothing choices. Additionally, many male employees were coming to work in casual attire such as T-shirts, jeans, or gabardine pants, leading to the introduction of the formal dress policy.
 
The decision was made following discussions during the recent departmental meeting, presided over by Deputy Governor-3 Zakir Hossain Chowdhury. The meeting also included discussions on sexual harassment, employee conduct, and workplace behavior, with a focus on adhering to the Bangladesh Bank Staff Regulations of 2003. It was emphasized that any complaints regarding harassment must be forwarded to the HR department within 30 working days.
 
Furthermore, the directive stresses the importance of fostering a positive work environment, encouraging professionalism, ethics, timeliness, and adherence to duties. Employees are expected to maintain respectful behavior towards colleagues, with a commitment to cooperation and mutual respect.
 
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