Now, Hip Companies Have Formal Fridays

Casual Friday is something of a non sequitur in the denim-clad offices of Silicon Valley and other modern American employers—every day is casual. So a select number of hip, nonconformist companies are going the other way, and encouraging everyone to dust off their suit, ties, and dresses ahead of the weekend, the Wall Street Journal reports. Practitioners include such well-known companies as Zynga, Peet's Coffee, and even Facebook.

"There may be a drop of irony to it," says one Facebook designer. "But more than that I think it's a nod to the culture of transcending corporate politics." Plus, he adds, "sometimes you just want to bring the heat for no particular reason at all, and Corporate Friday is your opportunity to suit up." Some companies say the attire makes them more productive as well. "I feel like a banker," says the CEO of one startup, "and I want to produce." (More casual Friday stories.)