Should Offices Enforce Strict Dress Codes or Embrace a More Relaxed Approach?

I am currently working in an organization that has no dress code, a very open and friendly environment. I want to know what you guys think about the dress code. Should offices/organizations be particular about how and what their employees wear?

Recently, there was an article in the paper about one organization that made the dress code so strict that employees were not allowed to wear any accessories that made noise, such as bangles, etc. I don't mean to say that we should allow our employees to dress like college students, but does that mean we should make them wear uniforms like school children?

Any opinions or wise views on this?

Regards,
Shalini

Personally, I feel that employees should be given the liberty to dress of their choice; many organizations feel the same. To be safe, you can create a policy where you mention the list of dresses not permitted in the office premises, such as short skirts, etc.

Regards,

Sathiya

Shalini,

You have to identify the need for a dress code in your company (don't go by what others are doing). Typically, companies opt for dress codes to ensure employees don't get distracted or discriminated against because of a certain way of dressing. Furthermore, in case your company frequently has clients or guests visiting, a well-dressed crowd always leaves a nice impression on them. Given the fact that we now have very strict laws around the workplace environment (especially to protect women's welfare), it's a good idea to have such a policy in place.

You can keep the policy simple and friendly:

1. Jeans/trousers with heavy and fancy patches are not allowed.
2. Minis and micros are not expected.
3. Employees wearing too loudly colored and distracting dresses may be requested to go back home and come with decent dressing.

HOPE THIS WOULD HELP

Hello Shalini,

You 'll agree on this

“ First impressions count “

A professional person should know how to manage his appearance. One who doesn't take the time to maintain a professional appearance presents the image of not being able to perform adequately on the job.

Professional dress code standards are alive-and-well in major financial and executive management and anyone who aspires to top management knows that your personal appearance counts.

Now if you talk about dress code or business attire, any company's objective in establishing a business casual dress code, is to allow its employees to work comfortably in the workplace. Yet, it still need its employees to project a professional image to its customers, potential employees, and community visitors. Business casual dress is the standard for this dress code.

If you look and behave like a highly-trained and well-groomed professional you will win the respect and honor of the valued clients.

........................ As far as your organisation goes, its really good that you dont have any dress codes, but than all the employees should have the sense of dressing. As the office becomes a place of daily visit, people soon starts ignoring the fact that office is a WORK PLACE! Its not their home or a friend's place where they can wear whatever is COMFORTABLE. There are certain limits of being comfortable and presentable. Till the point person is aware about what they are wearing and what impression they are creating, ALLS FINE !

Regards

Richa

Hi Shalini,

Dress code is important. I feel dress sense is more important. A good-looking, simple outfit is a better option. A dress reflects a person's true character in some cases. Depending on the place you work, the dress code can be determined. However, care should be taken to ensure that the outfit never creates a negative impact.

Subha

Dear Shalini,

First of all, as HR professionals, we have to understand our employees' views. Many employees do not like things like dress codes enforced on them. Hence, we have to analyze whether our company really needs a dress code. Following are some scenarios where the dress code should be in place:

- If clients/visitors regularly visit your office on a daily basis
- If your company is in the field of banking, insurance, retail, advertising, etc.
- If there is a high cultural difference among the employees in your company, etc.

If your company is a corporate setup with not many clients walking in, then I feel that there is no need for a dress code. Anyways, there should be a simple policy stating that employees have to come in decent attire.

Regards,
Harsha

Hello Shalini,

I had read your case. Remember, most of the organizations (like Microsoft, Samsung, LG, GE, etc.) are implementing a dress code. They are not making it mandatory, but what they want to convey is that "they are one," "they belong to one organization." This creates dignity and unity among the employees and fosters self-respect in individuals.

Some companies have different dress codes based on regions and even within different teams.

From,
Praveen Kumar

Dear Shalini,

Some companies in the USA are following a no dress code strategy because they want their employees to be at ease and give maximum output to the company. In a number of surveys, it has been observed that attire also affects the performance of an employee. For example, some people don't feel comfortable wearing a tie, and as a result, their performance is affected. Moreover, it also depends on the company and the nature of the work. In situations involving public dealings, employees should be formally dressed, but in a software house, the more casual an employee is, the better results they are likely to produce.

Regards,
Fahd Khan Sherani

Hi all,

I saw all your replies; all were justifying by themselves. Even I work for a software organization; our clientele base is in the US. So, no one will drop in very frequently. But I wish to bring in the concept of a dress code just to inculcate a professional environment. How should I take this forward? Please help.

Regards,
Krithika

Employers don't recruit us to give a fashion parade in office premises. So, why are casuals strictly not allowed in meetings and conferences? Well-dressed individuals leave a good impression on others. There is a time and place for every dress. What do you say? :-P

The thread was posted in December 2007. What is the point in digging it up now?

Hundreds of recent posts to be answered. Look for it.

Sathya