/ 5 December 2005

Australian bank takes flak for issuing style guide

An Australian bank apologised on Monday to staff upset at being told how to trim nose hair and hide fat legs.

The Commonwealth Bank’s ”Grooming Handbook” declared flesh-coloured knickers were in but shiny stockings were out. Rings were also acceptable, but no more than two per hand, it said.

Hugh Harley, group executive of retail banking services, admitted his blunder.

”I apologise to any staff who may have been offended or who do not feel comfortable discussing such matters,” he said.

But union leaders were unimpressed, declaring that staff deserved a written commitment from Harley that defying the style book and, for example, wearing earrings bigger than a small coin would ”have no bearing on the status of their employment”. – Sapa-DPA