A workplace dress code is very much a leveler, with no one feeling superior just because of what they wear. There are some things that are totally inappropriate for the workplace, and sometimes the wrong clothing can pose a danger. For instance, someone wearing flip-flops can trip very easily or get hurt by heavy machinery. Is it appropriate for someone to wear a bikini top to the office, or for the worker selling foods to have their hair loose around their shoulders? Whatever you would like your staff to wear, it has to be comfortable, serviceable and safe.
The Benefits Of Uniforms
Whether you agree or not, people do tend to judge others by the way they dress. When your business deals with the public, a well-designed uniform can have several advantages. It means that it is always obvious who the members of staff are if a customer needs help. It will also highlight a problem if someone is wandering around an area they should not be in and is not wearing the uniform.
Uniforms are also a form of advertising if they have the company logo on them. This is an inexpensive way of promoting your business (for example view here). They can also help make staff feel more like a member of a team. From the point of view of your employees, they do not need to buy any work clothes.
Of course, there are the obvious uniforms that are for safety reasons, such as firefighters, military personnel, and hospital workers. However, most uniforms are worn because of the benefits employers can see they create.
Company Values
Before deciding on a dress code for your business, look at the company’s core values. You want your employees to be in an environment that encourages them to be productive. Instigating a dress code that reflects the core values of the company can help with that aim. Do you need them to look professional, relaxed or is safety the main issue? Whichever it is, your dress code should make the staff feel that they are helping by dressing in the way you want.
Give Clear Guidelines
Unless you give clear guidelines for them to follow, they will make mistakes. If you do not want jeans worn in the office, then say so. If you would rather they did not wear really short skirts, be implicit with your instructions. There should be no need to mention every single item they can or cannot wear as long as they understand the atmosphere you are trying to create. A must in this situation is that you stick to the guidelines yourself. If you don’t, you cannot expect your employees to.
You do not want to have to do an inspection of what they are wearing at the start of every shift, so have some faith in them to understand your goal as you will find that most of them will adhere to what you have asked.
Be Fair
It is important to remember that your employees are individuals as well as being part of your business. There will be workers from different cultures, various races, men and women, people with different religious beliefs and sexual preferences. You must not make any of them feel discriminated against, and that is not always simple. The language of your dress code is the important thing so that no one feels they are being picked on. They need to have a basic understanding of what is and what is not acceptable in your workplace, and you should not use any one group as an example.
Communication Can Be The Key
As with many things in life, communication is the key to success. Don’t just foist new rules on them, take one step at a time. First of all, let them know what you are considering, and ask them for their feedback and any ideas they may have regarding the matter. Once you have formulated the policy, email it to every employee and post printed copies in several places around the workplace. Don’t make it too serious a document. Use gifs and imagery to communicate the policy you want to implement. As long as that suits the culture of your business the staff is more likely to take notice.
Fashions Come And Go
Fashions in dress codes come and go, just like in the world outside your workplace. Using banking as an example, the staff in banks always used to have to dress very formally. Now the banks are much more relaxed about what their staff wear and aim for more the smart casual look, which is of course much more comfortable for the workers. You need to look at your dress code sometimes and maybe update it. It is only once it is in place that you will know if it is working, and you should never be afraid to make adjustments to it if you need to. It can help to put yourself in the place of one of the employees and ask yourself if you would be happy with the dress code you have been given.
Be Prepared To Help
Some workers may have a problem because they cannot afford to buy clothes to fit in with the new code, and do not have any already. You could help to save any embarrassment for them by giving everyone a bonus on the condition that it is spent on the workwear they need (see affordable workwear at this link). It does not have to be a huge amount, just something to get them started will make them feel better about the whole situation. Let them know that if they are really struggling to get what they need, that they can talk to you privately to see if a small loan could be arranged. You just need to be aware that your new dress code may put some people under financial pressure, and you should be prepared to help them if that is the case.
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