Concerning ash trays,It was a big deal when Cigar smoking was not allowed in certain places, like employee lounge or coffee rooms, Cigarette and Pipe were allowed.
Also your father was probably a supervisor type, since he has long shirt sleeves.
Neckties were de rigeur, but if you worked in anything associated with machining, they were not allowed for safety reasons.
Lots of jobs dictated bow ties, so the tie would not get into the product, like in a bakery, butcher shop, Ice Cream Vendor.... etc....