Workplace attire has never been more casual.
As the global pandemic has kept people out of the office and mostly in their homes pajamas and athleisure wear have become the new slacks and button-downs. The question is, as vaccination rates rise and people start trickling back into work, will they be willing to part with their sweatpants?
The short answer: yes and no. Jeff Galak, associate professor of marketing at Carnegie Mellon University s Tepper School of Business, says there are two likely outcomes: One, some companies will keep the momentum of casual wear going and a new normal will be born. Two, there might be a strong desire to return to pre-pandemic normal. As much as sweatpants and T-shirts might be wonderful when working from home, he notes that returning to more business casual or even traditional office wear remember suits and skirts? might be a psychological reminder that we re moving past the pandemic.
By Joyce M. Rosenberg
NEW YORK Although Texas no longer requires people to wear masks to protect against COVID-19, customers do need them to enter De J. Lozada’s store.
“We cannot afford to take chances with the lives of my staffers. They’re young people and their parents have entrusted me with their care,” says Lozada, owner of Soul Popped Gourmet Popcorn, a shop located in Austin’s Barton Creek Square Mall.
Lozada is also concerned about her 85-year-old father, who will return to his part-time job in the store this month. She has a staffer stationed at the door to her shop who will tell anyone without a mask that they cannot enter.
Some businesses want masks on, even as states drop mandates
Joyce M. Rosenberg
Several weeks have passed since Texas ended its COVID-19 mask mandate. But if you want to pick up a snack at Soul Popped Gourmet Popcorn in Austin s Barton Creek Square Mall, you ll still be turned away if you aren t wearing a face covering. We cannot afford to take chances with the lives of my staffers. They re young people and their parents have entrusted me with their care, says owner De J. Lozada. She s also concerned about her 85-year-old father, who will soon return to his part-time job in the store.
Some businesses mandate masks, even if states don’t
A customer enters a store with a “face mask required” sign displayed in Dallas. Although 18 states, including Oklahoma, don’t require people to wear masks to protect against COVID-19, some businesses are requiring them. (AP file photo/by LM Otero)
NEW YORK (AP) – Several weeks have passed since Texas ended its COVID-19 mask mandate. But if you want to pick up a snack at Soul Popped Gourmet Popcorn in Austin’s Barton Creek Square Mall, you’ll still be turned away if you aren’t wearing a face covering.
“We cannot afford to take chances with the lives of my staffers. They’re young people and their parents have entrusted me with their care,” says owner De J. Lozada. She’s also concerned about her 85-year-old father, who will soon return to his part-time job in the store.
Some businesses want masks on, even as states drop mandates
A man leaves a convenience store while wearing a required face mask in Houston, in this Thursday, June 25, 2020, file photo. Although nearly a fifth of U.S. states don t require people to wear masks to protect against COVID-19, some businesses are requiring employees and customers to be masked on their premises. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
A customer enters a store with a face mask required sign displayed in Dallas, in this Tuesday, March 2, 2021, file photo. Although nearly a fifth of U.S. states don t require people to wear masks to protect against COVID-19, some businesses are requiring employees and customers to be masked on their premises. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)