Nine 2 five

Style: Mira Nauli Glam: Emily Burke Photo: Julia Lobello and Jillian Jezak Writer: Kelsey Lester

n n i e 2

In a room of endless gray cubicles, surrounded by paperwork and spreadsheets, there seems to be no room for expression. Not only is the building’s interior a dull collage of beiges, blacks and grays, but the employees wear a similar variation of blands and basics: wrinkled white button ups, gray tweed blazers, stiff brown trousers, scuffed black loafers. Any pops of color would make focusing on data entry impossible — it’s hard enough even when there’s nothing else worth looking at.

With new generations entering the workforce and technology changing the work-life dynamic, the traditional office job — the image of endless gray cubicles surrounded by paperwork — has been fading. And as they revamp the idea of a successful career, they’re taking workwear in new directions, too. The typical business formal look was created for men, who led the business world. The copyand-paste look of a boxy blazer, belted slacks and buttoned shirt is stiff and meant to take up space. And while there’s power in a woman rocking traditional menswear, the outdated and overdone business suit is a reminder of the outdated policies maintained in the corporate sphere, designed by men to support efficiency and profitability.

2 2

five

By design, offices are a place of restriction, where workers are meant to focus on their duty to support their employers. And now, after experiencing the freedom of working at home, people are aware of the negativity that fills traditional offices.

At-home work can eliminate minor inconveniences such as long commute times, lack of privacy, too many distractions or simply being in an uncomfortable space. This seems to be why so many young adults are gravitating toward this field of work. Personal freedom is cherished by the modern generation, especially when it comes to deciding when, where and how to work. But it’ll take more than adding windows and loosening the dress code to make corporate spaces a place to encourage mental wellness.

According to Mental Health America’s 2021 “Mind the Workplace” study, only 5% of people agreed their employer provided a safe place for those who struggled with mental illness. Office companies fail to support their workers in tough times as shown by the pandemic.

Many corporate businesses give little respect to their workers, and without respect in any work environment, employees lose motivation. The World Health Organization stated “Work is good for mental health, but a negative working environment can lead to physical and mental health problems.”

For many, a good work environment now means being in the comfort of their own home. Instead of hearing the sound of tapping keyboards slicing through a silent office, an at-home work environment can be personalized to fit one’s individual needs. Whether it’s the soft beat of your at-home speakers or your cat purring underneath your desk, you can choose how you want to work — even something as small as that can make the biggest difference.