Dress Code Issue

Hi,
We are a org of 40 odd individuals and we started operation in India in the year 2007. I have joined in recently and had observed that employees were coming in chappals / floaters / jeans inspite of a dress code policy in place. Before me no HR individual adhered to the policy and i am the first (probably) HR who is going by what the policy states. My intentions were to ensure that the policy be followed and my emplyees project a professional image. However inspite of email and having 1 on 1 chat with employees, they fail to abide by the policy. Secondly they have called in for a meeting with me regarding dress code (allowing jeans in office / workdays). Since i have stuck to the policy right from start, i know that i will have to stick to it, wether i like it or not. If i put a relaxation on the policy, it is possible that in future employees might not stick to whatever i implement. I dont want to risk future implication but at the same time i dont want to unnerve the employees. I am in a fix and would like to knwo what could be done to ensure that employees dont forma a group and work against HR, when all the HR is trying to do is support the org and emplpyees in projecting a better picture of teh company. I do have rights where i can issue a warning letters, but for me its to early as i have joined a month back only.

Suggestions are invited on really a urgent basis.

Regards
Trinity-Morpheus

hey its monsoon even ifold my pants to knee and wear slippers to office , come on use some common sense, not all people come to office in car like u , come to down earth

i dnt agree 2 u mr ravi. environment is very impt. and saturdays cub b settled fr casuals. imagine anybody going fr meetings in casuals and chappals????????? nd clients visiting the organisation r going 2 hav a bad impact of organisation.formals r impt. that is the reason why premier b-schools and big corporates have dress code

i dnt agree 2 u mr ravi. environment is very impt. and saturdays cud b settled fr casuals. imagine anybody going fr meetings in casuals and chappals????????? nd clients visiting the organisation r going 2 hav a bad impact of organisation.formals r impt. that is the reason why premier b-schools and big corporates have dress code

Hi,

I am sure the policy you are referring to will have actions to be taken for those who do not comply with the said policy start penalizing the defaulters by issuing them verbal warning or anything that your policy say.

Since yours is a small organisation i am sure the owner of the business is easily accessible, discuss your concern with him and inform him about the action you are going to take.I am sure if the employer has a policy in place he would definitely like to see its implementation.

Regards

Minakshi

Here are some Office Etiquette and from my point of view it should be followed by every employee......

Office Etiquette or Office Manners is about conducting yourself respectfully and courteously in the office or workplace........

Wear appropriate office attire, for example correct footwear, not things (flip flops) - they are strictly casual or beachwear

The essence of good manners and etiquette is to be respectful and courteous at all times and with everybody
Therefore, treat your co-workers, cleaners, maintenance people and others with respect and courtesy
Good office etiquette is easily achieved by using common courtesy as a matter of course
Keep your interruptions of others to a minimum and always apologize if your intrusion is an interruption of a discussion, someone’s concentration or other activity
Show respect for each others workspace. Knock before entering
Show appreciation for the slightest courtesies extended to you
Be helpful and co-operative with each other.........


With these etiquette we can make entire environment very beautiful.


Thanks
Suman

Hi,

I feel that any organisation must follow a dress code which shows uniformity.usually mon-fri day it would be formals and saturdays casuals.It is true that before implementing any policy the opinion of the employees has to be considered.As a HR manager your task lies in implementing it tactfully

Regards
Krishna.S

Dear Trinity-Morpheus,

From your query, it is clear that the problem is not about "which is better - casual or formal", but about how your employees must follow a policy given by you -the HR.

If you start being strict so soon, the reaction will be negative. But if you adapt a middle way and take it easy, you will be seen as a friendly and flexible HR, so the employees would like to follow what you say.

Coming to the point, if your employees have been following a casual dressing for all these years, obviously they will not like sudden restriction on their comfort. It will be taken negatively.

So try to find a middle way, if you want people to comply. For example, instead of implementing a formal dress policy implement stuff like:

- Compulsory formal dress when interacting with clients. Define formal.
- No wearing chappals or floaters. In the rainy season, you can wear decent floaters but not chappals at any cost.
- Casuals must always be smart casuals. So you can make rule for jeans such as - no torn jeans, heavily shaded jeans, patterned jeans etc. Plain jeans would be the best.
- Avoid T-Shirts at all costs. Collared Tshirts can be allowed for men.
-Make the marketing team wear formals.
etc etc...


Hope this helps...


Regards,
Shikha

1. Pls. convey the message among employees that it is required for audit checklist of dress code..
2.Not following the process of D/code shall be destroying their picture of good employee.
3.Shall be rated in Appraisial.
4.Thier supervisor should follow the above D/code..

Regards,

Deepak

Empower your employees, let them know you’re willing to listen to their ideas and suggestions so long as they remember this is a business and professionalism is primary.

Their less likely to resist if their made a part of the new dress code policy.

“If your not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem”.