Fact is, there isn't any written rule about wearing a white shirt. Employee Manual says nothing about white, just that it can't be too flashy. I don't have a manual in front of me or I would quote it. If I recall it even says something like "long sleeve shirts reccomended" Nothing about white, nothing about long sleeves, nothing about a coat even. You do however have to wear a tie. The white shirt thing is just an unwritten rule. Would actually be kinda fun to see a lawsuit for someone being fired for wearing, oh lets say a blue shirt every day and not just fridays. Would probably make a good case. I can understand some of the reasons the big E has employees wear such formal clothing though as others have already responded.

I recall when I worked there watching my ARMs write rental contracts in full suits. I actually remember being a bit embarrassed for them to see them having to do that. I always thought they looked a bit ridiculous. I'm sure we all did, as the current ERACers do now. Saw a hertz guy presenting a contract outside at a strip mall the other day, just had to look and listen to the dub sell and all that, wanted to scream to them "get out now."