City government employees have been directed to wear their new uniforms, designed for inclusivity in the workplace, starting March 23.
The designed uniform are made with no distinguishing identity according to sex or gender.
“The gender-neutral uniform will give branding to city (government) employees,” said Lemuel Ortonio, head of the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO).
Ortonio said government employers can be easily distinguished from the uniform they are wearing. The uniform will be embroidered with the city’s seal.
“The design for men and women will be the same. This is to create inclusivity among city government employees,” he added.
While the men and women will have the same design of their upper uniform, women can choose to wear either black slacks or black skirts to pair with it, he said.
“The women can still choose either slacks or skirts to pair their uniform since there are women who prefer to wear skirts,” he said.
Ortonio said the gender-neutral uniform is easier for the members of the LGBTQ+ community who are not comfortable to wear a uniform that is intended for boys or girls only.
He said there are employees of the city government who are not comfortable with the current uniform since it is not gender-neutral.
It will be the first time that the city government employees will have a gender-neutral uniform. For a long time, the city has a separate and distinguished uniform designs and color for men and women.
