You Can Be Serious Without a Suit

Google reminds me of my past experience in a camp at a Microsoft business complex. The campers got the opportunity to see the different departments within Microsoft, in hopes to inspire young women to have an interest in Microsoft as a company.  One employee spoke to us and said this:

"Everyday is casual Friday because it doesn't matter how you look doing your work. As long as you did it well and meet the deadline."  

Experiencing Microsoft, it didn't surprise me that Google was along the same guidelines.  One of their "Ten Things We Know To Be True" talked about how being casual company did not deplete from the fact that their business still got work done when it came to doing what you had to do.  There are many religions that follow a traditional routine from dress to actions.  Based on one of  Google's points, one comes to think that some traditions may not be necessary.

The religious traditions that I am familiar with is Christianity and Islamic faith.  In the Christian community followers usually attend a church service on Sunday and the term "Sunday's best" is early learned.  Many churches will say that you should come as you are but there is a social stigma attached to the wardrobe that you choose.  A Sunday Best outfit can be compared to a worker's uniform or formal business attire.  This tradition, at least in the community I am familiar with, is not only a big deal but it is expected.  There is no guidelines that read what we are supposed to wear exactly, but everything must be in modest shape and form.  This outfit, by no means, makes the sermon better or worse but it affects the dynamic of the church experience.  Google's belief that the casual attire does not mirror their work ethic would tear away the traditional sense of Christian Sunday Best outfits.

In the Muslim community there are very traditional believers and those who are more casual and modern.  Many of the females wear a hijab over their heads to symbolize purity.  The elders wear longer garments also.  Clothing in the Islamic faith is has more meaning than the Christian faith and the point that Google makes is that formal attire wouldn't necessarily impede on the outcome of things.  That if teamwork and individual accomplishments is prideful, then there is no need for anything more.  Google's founders says that work should be challenging and that challenge should be fun because that gives its employees the motivation. Islamic faith plays into the hands of that a bit.  Muslims pray at certain times of the day and that motivation to do something for themselves and their religion is inspiring and Google would support that.  However, Google would probably not support the old tradition.

Of course believers of any religion have the right to freedom of religion and have the right to dress any way that they see fit.  I just find it interesting that this is the logic behind the casual style of Google.