Does Dressing Really Impact Job Performance? How to Address Dress Code with Top Talent

Hey Guys,

I wanted to know from you whether dressing, particularly for men or overall grooming, has any relevance to your job. I recently encountered a situation where a high-performing employee mentioned that he prefers wearing branded T-shirts. Despite the company's dress code requiring formal attire, he argued during his performance appraisal that his clothing does not affect his work performance. It's worth noting that this is an apparel company.

Could you provide an example of how to persuade him to adhere to the dress code? I understand the importance of professionalism, but it can be challenging to address this issue, especially with a valuable employee.

Any additional suggestions are welcome.

Jensen.

Hi,

It is not necessary for the employee to wear branded clothes in the name of formals. The company would have mentioned formal clothing probably to bring a sense of professionalism in the workplace. [Correct me if I am wrong]. Clothing, to some extent, influences the environment, thus affecting the minds of other employees. For example, in the IT and advertising industries, people normally wear casual clothing because they want to keep their minds free and maintain a casual attitude. This is required as they work under a lot of pressure and stress.

Not only clothing, but also the colors one wears matter. In a professional environment, the colors worn are sober and pleasant, which adds to the environment.

Regards,
Soumya Shankar

Hi Saumya,

Thank you for your reply. With all due respect to your answer, I was hoping to understand how to convince the employee to wear the desired attire to work.

Dressing is not related to performance; at the same time, it depends on the corporate climate and organizational environment with respect to dressing. If the organizational environment demands a person to maintain a certain attire, they need to adhere to it as a business etiquette without deviations. This responsibility falls on the behavioral pattern of the employee rather than on performance dimensions. You can counsel the employee on the business attire requirement.

I did the same for the company involved in Clinical Operations. I included information about the business attire in the employee handbook, which was then circulated to all the employees. I have encountered similar instances like yours before. However, I was able to convince them about the importance of maintaining professional attire.

Regards,
Srinivasu

Hello Saumya! I am YSABELMICAELA. I would like to share some thoughts about office dressing. Perhaps this could help you encourage your personnel to dress up for the office appropriately.

Getting dressed for the office doesn't mean leaving our personal style behind. Our goal in dressing for work is to project a professional, competent image, regardless of our employment level or career path.

The style, color, lengths, and fit of our fashion choices will speak volumes about our ability to do our job. If we are concerned about our career, we will be more focused on looking professional than looking cute and trendy. In general, the more distracting a piece of clothing or jewelry is, the less appropriate it is for office wear.

More guidelines for looking professional:

* Color plays a big part in a professional image such as red, navy, gray, and black. They work well with pantsuits, skirts, and shoes and can mix with softer feminine colors that are appropriate like ice blue, lilac, soft pink, and ivory.
* Jewelry that jangles (chandelier earrings and stacks of bracelets) is distracting. Opt for stud earrings and a single bracelet.
* Slouchy handbags look sloppy. Choose structured styles that project an organized image.
* Manicured nails, run-free hose, scuff-free shoes, and neat hair.
* Pants should be fitted but free of visible panty lines. Skirts, especially straight styles like pencil skirts, should be loose enough to sit down comfortably.

Hi,

Probably, you can call the person and have a casual discussion with him. Take him out for tea or a snack, and explain your company's policies and regulations to him. Make the meeting short and simple. Tell him what you want to convey in a polite manner. Hopefully, he'll understand.

Hi,

Probably, you can call the person and have a casual discussion with him. Take him out for tea or a snack, and make him understand your company's policies and regulations. Make the meeting short and simple. Tell him what you wanted to convey in a polite manner. Hopefully, he'll understand.

Thanks, Vaish

Hi,

Doesn't this company follow a mentor system or something like a buddy system? Maybe his buddy could let him know about stuff like this or tell him politely, in a caring way, which will also be fine. Assume how you would like something like this told and do that. :)

Hi,

As every company has its compensation policy, personnel policy, retention policy, and many other policies, everybody is expected to abide by them and follow them. The same applies to the dress code as well. Just because someone is a good performer, they cannot deviate from the policy or dress code. This can have an impact on other employees' attitudes towards the organization. It would be better if the individual is made to understand why it is necessary to follow these policies.

I am of the opinion that one dresses well to show respect for others and to show respect for oneself. So, while clothes have nothing to do with performance directly, they do indirectly affect it. For example, a salesperson or customer-interfacing staff should avoid meeting customers casually dressed while in a business setting. As Soumya said, brands are not important at all, but the nature of attire is. Explain to him that he would not go swimming wearing denims, nor would one use swimwear to a celebration. It would not be respectful to the host. Similarly, there is attire which is appropriate for specific occasions only, and the workplace is one of them.

Also, mention that in a business setting, he would be the brand ambassador of the organization to the outside world, and casual attire would reflect poorly on the organization. Being a good performer, you will have to repeat this message to him several times so that he does not take things personally. All the best!

Ryan