The weather is turning warmer where I live in South Florida. Soon, we will have 90 degree temps and unbearable humidity. With that, comes constant conversation about dress code. What’s appropriate and what’s not. As HR managers, we have to weigh in on sleeveless shirts, sandals and panty hose.
This annual barrage of decisions begs the question: What should be the purpose of having a dress code policy? Several of my favorite bloggers have pondered dress code policies. You can see their thoughts here, here, and here.
I have to admit that, early in my career, I was one of those HR folks who thought you needed to wear a suit to work each day. It just seemed more professional. And on an interview…it was a must. But my attitude about work attire has changed over the years…and for several reasons.
Job Responsibility. If a job requires that a person will wear a uniform, why does it matter what they wear to the interview? As long as whatever they wear is clean…that’s all that counts. You know they will come to work clean (and wear whatever uniform you give them.) Another example is Mr. Bartender who worked for a telemarketer at one point in his career. They required dress shirts and ties . . to talk on the phone. Huh?? Sure, I know, project a professional image through the phone yadda, yadda. There are other ways to accomplish the same thing.
Cost. Let’s face it, suits are expensive to buy and maintain. A lot of casual attire doesn’t need to be dry cleaned and still looks good. So during a period in time when we all need a break on expenses, casual attire just makes sense.
Polish. You can wear a nice pair of jeans with an ironed shirt and look sharper than a person in a wrinkled suit. Nuf said.
Want to give your employees a benefit that puts money back in their pocket? Change the dress code. The goal of a dress code policy should be for everyone to be safe and look presentable (translated: professional.) I think it’s time we give our dress code policies more than a little casual thought.
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Hi! I’m Sharlyn Lauby, an HR pro turned consultant. I created HR Bartender so people would have a friendly place to discuss workplace issues. And since, over the years, I’ve developed a real appreciation for the culinary arts (translation: I’m a foodie) you’ll see some of that here too. So pull up a stool and order your favorite drink…the bar is always open.
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I like your way of thinking, as I sit here sleeveless, hoseless and sandals. I do know I’m in professional environment and I carry myself as such. As Eryka Badu would say “I am not my clothes”…
If only I could get our directors to think like this. We do, on rare occasions, have clients onsite but its scheduled visits. This is their reasoning for business casual. I find employees to be far more productive if they are comfortable in their clothing, jeans or in the case of some of our offices, scrubs.
I’m always amazed at the hostility I receive when I have a conversation about ‘dress codes’ with an employee. I’m like, “I’m doing you a favor. If your boss has this conversation with you, you’re in trouble.”
I know in some offices it would be the other way around, but in my line of Human Resources, the first conversation you have with me is an act of grace. Don’t make me tell you twice.
I love the sound of flip flops in our office. It reminds me that my employees are happier here and more comfortable then they would be working somewhere else.
We’re business casual and people LOVE it. The reaction I get from new hires when I tell them our dress code is often one of extreme excitement — I’ve had new hires who have been totally buttoned up throughout the hiring process complete let down their guard and scream with delight when I tell them we’re business casual. Don’t underestimate how much people see it as a benefit.
Of course, it’s not enough for me. I want to wear fleecy lounge pants to work.
Okay, time to play the “devils advocate”. In today’s society, where the young people have no clue on how to dress professionally, now you want to “dumb down” the dress code?
It’s always amazing to me what people think is “business casual”, which I believe should be the attire for non-sales positions. This doesn’t mean blue jeans or for that matter mini skirts/shorts. Nobody wants to see your hairy legs!
When it comes to “Marketing/Sales” personnel, “dress like your clients” is my business approach.
I commented on this on my blog as well. While ideally I like the idea of an office going business casual, there seems to be a broad interpretation of what is “casual” and this tends to be most dependant on which department the person works in.
On those rare occasions when we have a client visit that coincides with “dress down Friday”, there is practically a revolt from the employees when we advise them to maintain the business casual attire for that day. It is no longer a perq, but an entitlement.
So much time is spent working on and around this subject.
Hi Sharlyn
I hate dress codes. When I worked at a company HQed in Minnesota, we spent an entire staff debating whether it was appropriate for women to wear capri pants and culottes to the office in the summer (which in Minnesota last about a week and a half!)
It was ultimately decided: no – they aren’t professional enough.
I see them all the time now at my Florida based, ultra conservative employer.
For me: my life goal is not to wear long pants between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Until I get there, it is “Business Casual- FTW”!
1st – full disclosure – I work out of home office 30% of the time and couture ranges from pajamas to sweats. However, when I am with a client I really don’t want to see anyone’s feet, thighs, toes or pits – nor do I want to show my own.
2nd – if you look at the talk shows / new shows you will see men in suits and women in stilettoes, bare arms, low necklines and skirts up to there – and that’s just the women over 50. Do I really need to ask what the ramifications of that disparity are? Whether we acknowledge it or not, the way we dress distracts, reinforces or enhances. Period. The way you dress sends a strong signal. To steal from the HR Bartender: dress responsibly.
As another SoFla native, I have to agree with you on this one. It gets hot down here, really hot… not to mention the humidity. If you don’t have to meet with clients or vendors, you shouldn’t have to dress like you are.
My office is usually casual during the summer months and most of us love it. Unfortunately, HR still needs to send out a notice to employees reviewing what is/isn’t appropriate to wear in the office. Still, I think it’s possible to dress casual and be professional at the same time.
Thanks to everyone for weighing in on this post. It’s great to see all of the opinions and insight. I’m sure everyone has a ‘dress code’ story…keep the good stories coming.
To toss out my two-cents about inappropriate attire. I’ve always felt that inappropriate is inappropriate. Period. It’s how you define inappropriate that seems to create the buzz in the workplace. Some people say a polo shirt or capris are inappropriate. Sure enough, someone else says they’re not. My thought is that risqué attire is inappropriate for work (unless of course you work in the ‘adult’ industry.)
Should sales positions have to wear suits when visiting clients? Part of me likes Randall’s comment to “dress like your clients”. But then, if your clients wear jeans and polo shirts to work, will a company allow their sales people to do the same? I’d like to think so…
But I must say that Margaret made my day with the “dress responsibly” remark! I might have to use that one in the future…
Every business is different. Dress code should be determined by the individual company, amount of client visibility, and the amount of professionalism they would like to show.
AAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHH!!!! The topic from HELL! We were just discussing this today and I still can’t believe we still have to remind people how to dress.
My feeling is that there is Business Casual and there is Casual Casual and if you don’t know the difference between the two I probably don’t want you working here. It’s about respecting yourself, others and the company you work for to not look like you just rolled out of bed, are going to the beach or going to the club.
They are exactly right cause when school starts it loke so hottt! So Us Kids Shouldnt have dress codes!
I know I am way late on commenting to this blog post, but I just discovered you through another source. However, I can’t help but to applaud you for the comments about dress codes. Tip #3 (polish) is the very same rationale I tried to explain to a conservative healthcare organization about four months ago but the CEO insisted the employees had to dress everyday the same way he imagined the members were dressing at their respective hospitals and health systems. I knew his explanation had holes in it when I attended the organization’s annual 4-day event where staff members were dressed in nicely pressed khaki’s and polo shirts. I thought, “Why can’t we dress similarly all year round?”
Thanks a lot for your insights.
Never too late to comment! Dress codes are a continuous source of conversation. Thanks.
Wow! For HR just to address a dress code would be a significant start. Granted, a fabrication shop gets a bit toasty in the warmer months, but when you have 50 year old women dressed in Harley Davidson tank tops and tight fittin’ black jeans, I’m not sure if that is to keep ‘em cool or keep ‘em hot! The tacky factor also sets in……