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Small businesses and workplace dress code policies

Guest post by: sheila wyatt

Article Overview: Guidelines for writing a dress code policy and sample dress code policy

Small businesses and workplace dress code policies

Summer’s right around the corner, and with that comes hot weather. For many employers, it may mean putting into place a dress code policy, so that the tank tops, exposed tattoos, body piercings and flip flops don’t enter the workplace. As a small business owner, you may want your employees comfortable and happy, but you also want them to look professional. So, rather than worrying about what an employee will show up in, put into place a dress code policy. If you’re considering writing a dress code policy, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Dress codes can help your company shape its image that it wants to convey to its customers
• Dress codes can take the guess work out of what employees can and cannot wear to work
• You may want to to involve your employees in coming up with a workplace dress code policy, and ask them what they think is appropriate.
• Once a dress code policy has been written, share it with your employees.
• Be sure that you apply the workplace dress code policy consistently to all employees.
• Keep in mind that you may need to revise the dress code policy periodically.

Here’s an example of a dress code policy:

“Because of our constant interaction with our customers, (Company Name) has a traditional business attire code. All employees are expected to comply with our dress code. However, during the summer months, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the company has established a summer dress code that employees may observe on days when they have no in-person customer contact. A significant difference between the regular dress code and the summer dress code is that men do not have to wear ties and jackets, women are permitted to wear capri pants and all employees may wear more casual shoes.

The following list is a guideline of what attire is appropriate and inappropriate.

APPROPRIATE

• T-shirts
• Capri pants
• Tennis shoes
• Denim jeans and shirts/dresses/skirts

INAPPROPRIATE

• Shorts
• Logo clothing (sports teams, cartoon characters)
• Flip-flops
• Halter tops

Any employees who come to work inappropriately attired will be asked to leave work to change clothes and will be required to use personal time or vacation time to do so.”

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Article Tags: employee dress code, workplace dress code, workplace dress code policy, workplace dress codes



Related Forum Posts
Obama or Mcain will not change anything - A lot of people are thinking that either Obama or Mcain will change things in America. Entrepreneur are to look inward and strategies on how to make their businesses to be successful. No ruler had ever change the way we grow our businesses. Their policies may try to delay us but we have way of scaling all the hurdles.
Re: How should a young entrepreneur dress to impress? - Type of dress is always the question on most new entrepreneur's minds'. Unfortunately, it all depends on the specific situation. If you are meeting someone for the first time, and it is in relation to business or potential business, then a suit and tie is the way to go. Stay conservative and don't go in with flashy ties. Get solid tone wear for those occasions. If you're meeting someone, and they are not unknown to you, then you can maybe afford to dawn a flashier tie or dress down a little. However, in all of my business dealings I would never go to jeans. I would always stick to dress pants and a tucked in button up shirt up top with a collar. Stick to dress shoes in both occasions, and try to find something that is comfortable. I have two pairs of dress shoes - one has laces and one does not. I frequently wear the one without because it is easier to put on and far more comfortable after a day of meetings and discussions.
Re: What would you like to see be invented? - I'd also like to see a more breathable dress shoe invented. If you think about it, men spend the majority of their time wearing dress shoes at work and I have yet to find one that's very well ventilated (or supportive for those who over pronate due to having flat feet).
Re: Men don't wear ties (necktie: US) like before! - I prefer to wear a tie if I'm going to get dressed up. It just looks professional to me. I think ties will always be in. Perhaps the hi-class people are just trying to set a new trend, or maybe even a fashion statement. Who knows. Personally, I think it looks weird to wear a suit and not a tie. [quote="Kevin Lee":1bk0v2q4]I don't know, but the color purple seems to be "in" this year. Personally, I'd like to see a future without boring collared shirts. Men's fashion is so boring with only polo tees and dress shirts. By the way, how many shirts, ties, dress pants, dress shoes does one need in his repertoire?[/quote:1bk0v2q4] I see a lot of people wearing purple these days, even my Dad. I think it actually looks good. I have a pink shirt with a tie to match... LOL. I only have one suit, one pair of dress shoes, and maybe 8 to 10 dress shirts. I could use a few more pants, but I'll survive.
Re: How should a young entrepreneur dress to impress? - I think that it is important to match the clothing to the occasion. At home you can dress however you like, but I find that even at home I still dress reasonably well and always have my hair and make-up done the same as I would if I was going out. I guess a lot depends on one's nature and this is something I have just always done. I don't think I could ever be one of those "work in my pajamas" kind of people. MichelleJ


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