Body odour ban for Zurich workers

The Swiss city of Zurich has banned municipal workers from having overbearing body odour. The ban is part of a draconian list of rules on behaviour and dress code issued by city officials, which includes bans on strong perfume and plunging necklines.

Workers have been provided with a four-page document with "dos and don'ts" for employees' "professional presentation".

Those with bad breath are also targeted, while employees are forbidden to bring too many personal belongings to their office, and told to be "discreet" about where they put their water bottles and cups.



Sartorial restrictions are included. Too much bare back or stomach on display, shirts with patterns, too much make-up or overly manicured nails are all out. Gym shoes, messy beards and short trousers are also forbidden.

Staff representatives said the guidelines were insulting. "Everyone knows that you have to respect certain codes, but staff didn't appreciate being lumped together as if they all didn't take care of themselves," said one.

Officials said they did not intend to send in dress code inspectors. Sergio Gut, director of the department where staff have been warned, said: "If necessary we will speak to the person concerned and set out the results of the discussion in a contract of aims."