Summer is no excuse to dress less professional in the workplace. Forty-one percent of respondents, according to a CareerBuilder.com survey that questioned 2,765 employers, say better-dressed employees receive more promotions than others in the company.

Some industries place a high importance on professional attire. Fifty-five percent of respondents say that employees in financial services are more likely to advance in the company. On the other hand, IT and manufacturing industries place less emphasis on professional dress.

’Even though we are seeing a trend of more relaxed dress codes in the office, especially in summer, it doesn’mean that professionalism should go out the window,’says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources.

Certain companies have listed prohibited items in their dress codes. Sixty-four percent of employers have banned flip-flops, 49 percent have prohibited mini-skirts and 28 percent have banned jeans. Thirty-five percent of respondents even sent employees home to change into a more professional outfit.

Dressing more formal at interviews is just as significant. More than half (54 percent) of employers give more credit to job-seekers that wear business suits.

Haefner provides suggestions to help employees improve their office wear:

— Prepare your closet. Start with the essentials: black pants, a dark pant suit, dark shoes and a button-down collared shirt. Build your wardrobe off these staples.

— Keep your closet neat and tidy. Iron your pants, shirts and other clothes. Be aware of stains.

— Leave bar attire at home. Don’wear tight pants or cutoff shirts to the office.

— Dress the part. Choose the right clothes for your office position.

’How you dress can play an important role in how others perceive you at work, and dressing professionally can help you project a motivated and dedicated image,’Haefner adds.

For more information, visit www.careerbuilder.com.

STAY CLOSE TO HOME

Workers may want to reconsider that expensive overseas vacation this summer. Due to the high gas prices and unsteady economy, a shorter trip closer to home can save money or possibly your job.

The long weekend or three and four-day trips may become more popular for families this summer, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., an outplacement agency.

’Rising prices at the pump and at the nation’ grocery stores are demanding a larger portion of monthly disposable income,’says John A. Challenger, chief executive officer. ’Even a weeklong vacation, especially if it involves air travel, is starting to become financially out of reach for a growing number of Americans.

The unstable economy will probably keep employees on their toes; they won’t want to travel far from their jobs in fear of losing them.

’Those who are out-of-touch for a week or more will be remembered, and not in a good way,’says Challenger, ’particularly if some type of crisis arises during the absence. He or she may be among the most productive, but not being there in a time of need could be what sticks out in manager’ minds when it comes time to make staffing cuts.’

Challenger recommends staying in touch with work when on vacation. He suggests e-mailing contacts, leaving an automated e-mail response, checking e-mail and voice-mail and only responding if urgent, and providing the number of the hotel or accommodation.

Here are some suggestions for mini vacations on weekends:

— Plan a vacation during a scheduled holiday weekend.

— Go to a national park for a picnic lunch.

— Leave work at the office.

— Schedule parties or barbecues with friends and neighbors.

For more information, visit www.challengergray.com.

E-mail Amy Winter at awinter@creators.com. To find out more about Amy Winter and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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