Queenangelo.com – A dress code, also known as dress code, is a formal set of guidelines, designed for employees, with regard to what clothes they should wear. These can be tailored according to the occasion, or be broader than that. The most common dress code is established by law. Dress codes vary depending on context, purposes, and events, and are influenced by social norms and personal opinions. For some organizations, a dress code may include particular dress codes for men, women, and children. But in other instances, a dress code may apply to all, especially to those who are hired on a regular basis, or are visible to the public.
How to Dress Right
A dress code often has to apply to all employees, even those doing jobs which are not typical ones, such as those working at the front desk, or in the storerooms. It may be applied to both men and women and is usually a written document. Dress codes can also be visual indications, which are sometimes referred to as dress codes of manners or personal integrity. They may specify that certain attires are to be worn or may demand that certain attires be removed from the workplace. These may be related to the job being done, or to a policy of the company concerning dress code enforcement.
A dress code may specify that certain shirts, blouses, pants, and other clothing should be worn, in specific shades, patterns, fabrics, colours, shapes and so forth, on particular days of the week. Such codes may also state which outfits should be worn on particular days of the week, or may specify that particular colors of clothing should be worn, on particular days of the week. Dress codes often do not specify minimum standards of dress but have criteria relating to the type of clothing that is acceptable. So a black suit may be deemed acceptable for a workplace visit if it is dark enough. Likewise, a dress code might permit employees to wear white uniforms to work on Saturdays, but not on Sundays.
Dress codes have a number of social implications. For instance, if the code is very strict, it could be seen to stifle individual creativity. In the case of the workplace, it could also restrict opportunities for promotion, raise issues about the social status of employees, or even affect the willingness of some workers to dress in an acceptable way. Moreover, employers who enforce dress codes may find themselves subject to lawsuits for discrimination.
Best Employee Dress Style
Employers who do not make explicit the nature of their dress code can nonetheless have a reasonable effect. For instance, if employees cannot dress according to a specific dress code on occasions when they are expected to dress in business casual attire, they will be in violation of the dress code. Similarly, employees should be allowed a certain amount of leeway in choosing attire on regular or holiday-going days. If employees choose to wear black trousers to a Saturday work party, then they should not be forced to wear a suit. They could wear a sweater, jacket, or dressy jeans.
However, employers who have a very rigid dress code may actually harm their business interests by alienating potential customers. Suppose, for instance, that on a particular day, half the employees come in dress uniform while the rest show up in work clothes. This scenario may annoy customers, who may decide not to spend money at your restaurant. On the other hand, if the employees show up in dress uniform, they may feel better about showing up for work because they feel like a team.
Considerations in Wearing Employees’ Clothing
When you start an employee dress code, take care to give guidance to employees about how the code will be enforced. Make sure that every employee knows what is expected of them in the workplace. For instance, you may decide that employees are required to dress in a certain manner no matter what the dress code says.
The bottom line is that the decision about whether or not to enforce a dress code has to be made by the management. It may be sensible to have a dress code if you believe that your product or service can be protected from theft by ensuring that your employees dress appropriately. But if your product or service gets a bad reputation, you may find that enforcement of the dress code becomes counterproductive. Whatever the case, always give guidance to employees about what to do and when to do it.