Why is GS Now Allowing Some of Its Employees to Dress Casually?

This morning Reuters reported ([http://www.reuters.com/article/us-goldman-sachs-t…]) that in an attempt to attract and retain tech talent, Goldman Sachs is relaxing its dress code for their employees in the technology division. This was one of the first moves made by the new Chief Information Officer Elisha Wiesel, who wants to level the playing field with silicon valley, in terms of workplace environment and perks.

In an internal memo obtained by Reuters, GS told its employees in the technology division to

exercise judgement in determining when to adapt to business attire

It seems to me that this "perk" is too little too late. Google provides its employees with sleeping pods and allows them to bring their dogs into work. A more casual dress code pales in comparison with these benefits.

Does the high compensation make up for less perks? How important are dress code and image to the company culture of an investment bank? What should banks do to retain tech talent?

14 Comments
 

Definitely not inline.. Google is $105-110k base + 40-50k in yearly vested stock/bonus for new grads.

Was obsessed with finance, now do product in tech
 
Best Response
"Yossif" Does the high compensation up for less perks? How important are dress code and image to the company culture of an investment bank? What should banks do to retain tech talent?

1.) Yes. The compensation is justifiable for less perks.

2.) Incredibly important, image is everything in client facing industries (especially when the client is paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in retainer fees for your services). As a business owner using Goldman's IB services, would you like coming up to the Investment banking division for a meeting to see the employees taking a nap on your dollar? Absolutely not.

Nobody cares in tech because they work far away from the customer behind a computer in a re-manufactured volkswagen beetle made to resemble a desk. Anyone worth their salt in a client facing services role is clean cut, well groomed, and mentally present (ie. not napping on their client's dollar).

3.) To retain tech employees big banks need to change the work culture, but they should be careful to preserve some rigidness & appearances of professionalism.

Note: I used to work at a tech firm... All of the cubicle mini hoops, office razor scooters, and comfort pets resemble more of an "adult daycare" than a "work place."

"A man can convince anyone he's somebody else, but never himself."
 

This is the caliber of a response I would expect from a senior associate like yourself

Make Idaho a Semi-Target Again 2016 Not an alumnus of Idaho
 

Yeah it seems that it is a little too late, but idk. I'd rather dress professionally and receive the high compensation rather than to take a pay cut and get the "perks."

 

Don't underestimate the value of not having to wear a suit. My work attire is interchangeable with my golf course attire most days and that comfort level is one hell of a perk.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Facilis aut id debitis cupiditate porro. Blanditiis velit sint ea et. Et iusto repellendus illo laudantium iusto blanditiis. Repudiandae optio nemo suscipit culpa et quia. Nihil eveniet dolor fuga eum.

Quo possimus quia voluptas assumenda impedit. Nostrum harum fugit officiis nihil in dicta vel. Adipisci doloribus iste quasi culpa libero similique. Voluptas quas sit ea debitis.

In nesciunt rem cupiditate odio eos facere ad. In eveniet officia voluptas ad qui id. Sunt incidunt excepturi harum qui eaque ut. Voluptas labore enim ullam.

Natus id nobis et. Laborum sit nisi ut eligendi. Et rerum perferendis quod dolores dolorem officia reiciendis nulla.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”