This Gen Z fashion choice is breaking an unspoken office rule: It can be quite jarring

As temperatures have soared in recent weeks amid Australia’s present heatwave, a controversial new office fashion trend has emerged: wearing shorts to work.But as Australians try and stay cool, a debate has erupted between generations over whether it’s appropriate workplace attire.A new poll by people2people Recruitment revealed that 42 percent of Aussie workers thought shorts were unprofessional – up 32 percent from last year.Baby Boomers were the ones most critical of the outfit choice, with 50 percent calling them unprofessional.In contrast, only 31 percent of Gen Z and Millennial workers share this view, which reflects the more relaxed attitudes of younger employees.“Shorts will still be a workplace debate in summer 2025, with older generations leading the charge,” Suhini Wijayasinghe, Head of Outsourced HR Solutions at people2people, says.“While younger workers may view shorts as a comfortable and modern choice, businesses must carefully balance these preferences with the need to present a polished, unified image to clients and stakeholders.”Attitudes toward productivity and workplace attire reveal another generational divide.While 60 percent of Millennials and Gen Z workers believe wearing shorts would boost their productivity by making them more comfortable while working at the peak of summer, only 34 percent of the overall workforce agrees.Tina Grasso, founder of Australian lingerie brand Chouchou Intimates, has a team made entirely of Gen Z workers and has noticed an increase in shorts in the office, particularly in these last few weeks.“Although it can be quite jarring for those coming from a corporate setting, shorts not only align with Gen Z’s values of comfort and self-expression but link to the broader cultural shift toward balancing practicality with productivity,” she told news.com.au.“What you are wearing should bear no impact on your output.“I will say, I think my team is in a uniquely understanding position given we are ...