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A business dress code detailed in your employee handbook provides guidelines to help your employees understand what you expect them to wear to work. After all, your employees are representatives of your business and a dress code not only ensures the right message is sent to clients, but provides for a cohesive look at your workplace, prevents uncomfortable situations, and may be required to make your workplace safe for your employees and customers.
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With more employers trading out suits for relaxed attire, the majority of today’s workers don’t understand what is acceptable to wear to work. For example, take the increasingly popular dress code of business casual. It sounds like it should be straightforward but is as clear as mud for new hires. Or what about terms like “smart business attire” or simply “business attire”?
According to a SHRM survey, over 60% of businesses now allow business casual attire. That said, it still causes great confusion among employees and managers.
When defining your business’ dress code, it’s important to choose one that aligns with your company culture, then fully describe it in your employee handbook. Rather than only including what is acceptable, you should also give examples of what’s not appropriate. If it makes sense to have guidelines about piercings, excessive cologne and perfume, tattoos, and/or extreme hair colors at your place of business, those should be included in your dress code policy as well.
Employers are getting creative in order to attract talent in today’s competitive labor market and a casual dress code is one of the perks employees want.
In a business casual environment, jeans are often only acceptable on approved “jeans day”, but in workplaces with casual dress codes, jeans are often worn every day, and by both men and women. Shirts aren’t required to have collars and can be anything in good taste.
But even if your business embraces the popular casual dress code, it is still beneficial to have a dress code policy. Even with a dress code policy, your employees’ comfort and creativity can still be your chief concern. While most anything is appropriate in a relaxed, casual workplace, it helps to have a few common restrictions in place.
Here’s what to consider listing as off-limits in your policy:
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Businesses that enforce an overly strict dress code risk losing out on top talent. Consider this — 79% of Millennials think they should be allowed to wear jeans to work at least sometimes.
Religious accommodations to the dress code policy should be addressed on a case-by-case basis. For example, some religious practices require individuals to wear head coverings or may prohibit them from wearing certain attire. Efforts to accommodate these requests should be made by the employer as long as the accommodation would not threaten the health, safety, or security of the work environment, or come at an increased cost to the employer or a substantial burden to the other employees.
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Some policies aren’t in place solely to maintain a professional-looking work environment. Consider policies about the management of long hair, piercings, jewelry, facial hair, loose-fitting clothing, and more. Depending on your industry, you may be required to have certain dress and hygiene policies in place to protect your employees. For example, OSHA’s policies regarding facial hair and the use of respirators or those that safeguard workers using machinery. According to OSHA, workers should not wear loose-fitting clothing, jewelry, or other items that could become entangled in machinery, and long hair should be worn under a cap or otherwise contained to prevent entanglement in moving machinery.
Develop your policies with an HR expert. Contact us today for guidance. >>
As a final note, your business’ dress code policy must be clearly detailed in your employee handbook, easy to understand and managers should be trained to enforce it consistently across the entire team. If one employee is allowed to bend the rules, but another is disciplined, you could be putting your business at risk for claims of discrimination.
When it comes to workplace dress codes, understanding the do's and don'ts is crucial for maintaining a professional environment. Axcet HR Solutions, a trusted HR outsourcing company, is here to provide expert guidance on navigating this sensitive topic.
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Don't leave your dress code to chance. Partner with Axcet HR Solutions and gain the knowledge and expertise needed to master workplace dress codes. Contact us today to learn more about how our HR consulting services can help your business thrive.
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