Dear all,
Is it professional for girls to wear short skirts in companies? What should be the exact dress code if a girl is supposed to wear a skirt? If it's deemed inappropriate as per the dress code, what actions should HR take?
Regards,
Kamal
From India, Pune
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Is it professional for girls to wear short skirts in companies? What should be the exact dress code if a girl is supposed to wear a skirt? If it's deemed inappropriate as per the dress code, what actions should HR take?
Regards,
Kamal
From India, Pune
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Most companies have a dress code in their HR policy. The joining or appointment letters to employees have clauses to adhere to this policy. For instance, items such as bathroom slippers, torn jeans, round neck t-shirts, ethnic outfits, skirts above knees are clearly mentioned as reasons for the security personnel not to allow individuals dressed in such a manner entry into the office premises, unless for officially sanctioned skits, fancy dress, or fashion themes.
An HR 'all employees' email can be sent, quoting the HR policy. This generally seems to work in dissuading some employees who are 'testing the waters'.
From India, Mumbai
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An HR 'all employees' email can be sent, quoting the HR policy. This generally seems to work in dissuading some employees who are 'testing the waters'.
From India, Mumbai
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Dear Kamal,
Do you have a dress code policy implemented in your organization? Is it functional and shared on the intranet and employee handbook? Under any circumstance, before taking an action on an employee on the basis of a dress code, please make sure that there was enough effort made to ensure the employee is aware of the policy.
In case there is no dress code policy implemented so far, please write and implement it as early as possible. This will help you to maintain a professional environment within the company.
Do keep the following facts in mind:
1. Include the basic formal outfit from Monday to Thursday and informal for Friday. Maintain a minimalist view and avoid including any hard guidelines.
2. Do mention the do's and don'ts.
3. Try to keep a liberal view with professionalism in sight. If this is the first time you are trying to implement it, go slow. Make employees a partner in this process and involve them with suggestions and implementation.
4. Finally, do get the management team's buy-in with your idea.
Wish you all the best. You are doing this for the betterment of the company to maintain morale and professionalism.
Regards,
(Cite Contribution)
From India, Mumbai
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1872Do you have a dress code policy implemented in your organization? Is it functional and shared on the intranet and employee handbook? Under any circumstance, before taking an action on an employee on the basis of a dress code, please make sure that there was enough effort made to ensure the employee is aware of the policy.
In case there is no dress code policy implemented so far, please write and implement it as early as possible. This will help you to maintain a professional environment within the company.
Do keep the following facts in mind:
1. Include the basic formal outfit from Monday to Thursday and informal for Friday. Maintain a minimalist view and avoid including any hard guidelines.
2. Do mention the do's and don'ts.
3. Try to keep a liberal view with professionalism in sight. If this is the first time you are trying to implement it, go slow. Make employees a partner in this process and involve them with suggestions and implementation.
4. Finally, do get the management team's buy-in with your idea.
Wish you all the best. You are doing this for the betterment of the company to maintain morale and professionalism.
Regards,
(Cite Contribution)
From India, Mumbai
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Kindly refer to Accenture's Dress Code policy. It is one of the best in the industry. If your code of conduct does not have anything mentioned about dress code, it is considered professional as it will enhance employee involvement levels. :)
From India, Hyderabad
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From India, Hyderabad
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My friend,
I appreciate the fact that other HR professionals have recommended that you come forward with a well-structured dress code in your company. Keeping this in mind, you need to also mention the area of activity you are in. If it involves glamour and sex appeal (for example, a casino/resorts like in Vegas), then it is the industry norm that the attire and grooming are glamorous/sexy but not vulgar.
Also, bear in mind that your company culture will influence the dress code of your employees a lot. Asking them to wear suits and ties from Monday to Thursday and then having them come in jeans and polo shirts on Fridays, only to stay late at work, may not prove useful at all. It will be, at most, a "cosmetic" gimmick that you would have brought to your organization.
From Mauritius
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I appreciate the fact that other HR professionals have recommended that you come forward with a well-structured dress code in your company. Keeping this in mind, you need to also mention the area of activity you are in. If it involves glamour and sex appeal (for example, a casino/resorts like in Vegas), then it is the industry norm that the attire and grooming are glamorous/sexy but not vulgar.
Also, bear in mind that your company culture will influence the dress code of your employees a lot. Asking them to wear suits and ties from Monday to Thursday and then having them come in jeans and polo shirts on Fridays, only to stay late at work, may not prove useful at all. It will be, at most, a "cosmetic" gimmick that you would have brought to your organization.
From Mauritius
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Wearing short skirts in the corporate world is not at all relevant because of the culture in organizations. We girls face a lot of cases of sexual harassment, and then we blame other factors. Therefore, it should not be applicable in the corporate world.
From India, Jalandhar
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From India, Jalandhar
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I think there has to be some dress code for the company itself, and it has to be implemented with some strong conditions. The reason for this is that each and every employee is reflecting the brand of the company, so I think it must not be jeans and tops.
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Dear Ravi,
It seems as if you are a big flirt. Well, these types of comments I have heard many times from my colleagues. Can you tell me how you can get encouraged and find enthusiasm by looking at your female colleague's legs? It's not that I am against girls wearing short skirts; they can wear them outside the company to encourage guys like you.
I'm really sorry if you are hurt.
Regards,
Kamal Amrohi
From India, Pune
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It seems as if you are a big flirt. Well, these types of comments I have heard many times from my colleagues. Can you tell me how you can get encouraged and find enthusiasm by looking at your female colleague's legs? It's not that I am against girls wearing short skirts; they can wear them outside the company to encourage guys like you.
I'm really sorry if you are hurt.
Regards,
Kamal Amrohi
From India, Pune
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In my opinion, Dress code makes us feel disciplined more over differences can be minimized. Regards, Vivek Mishra AM-HR & Admin
From India, Karnal
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From India, Karnal
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India is known for its culture, traditions, and values. If girls/women are getting an opportunity to work, they should concentrate more on their work with a healthy and presentable dressing sense. This could include trousers with a good branded shirt, suits, and sarees. Whether they are working in an MNC, they should not forget that the MNC itself is in India. Hence, girls should be modern in their thinking and implementation of great ideas rather than involving themselves in unnecessary issues of dressing sense, etc. Be proud, make your family proud, make your work proud, make your office proud, resulting in the pride of India.
Mrs. Arti Singh Sr. Executive- HR PP Group of Companies
From India, Delhi
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Mrs. Arti Singh Sr. Executive- HR PP Group of Companies
From India, Delhi
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Hi all,
The dress code is quite good as it fosters a sense of belongingness, similarity, and discipline. We can opt for informal attire on Friday and Saturday, but it should still be decent. Arti, you made a good point about being proud - making your family proud, your work proud, your office proud, ultimately resulting in the pride of India. I quite like that sentiment.
Thank you.
From India, Calcutta
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The dress code is quite good as it fosters a sense of belongingness, similarity, and discipline. We can opt for informal attire on Friday and Saturday, but it should still be decent. Arti, you made a good point about being proud - making your family proud, your work proud, your office proud, ultimately resulting in the pride of India. I quite like that sentiment.
Thank you.
From India, Calcutta
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Dear Sir,
The employees should abide by the rules of the organization regarding the culture, customs, and other norms at their workplace. As per the Sexual Harassment Act of 2005, one of the clauses states that every employer shall take all necessary and reasonable steps to prevent and ensure that no woman employed in the establishment is subjected to sexual harassment by any third party during the course of employment. In the event of such sexual harassment occurring, the employer should take all necessary steps to assist the aggrieved woman in redressing the act of sexual harassment.
With Regards,
Prof. Rajesh W.
Pune 411033
From India, Pune
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The employees should abide by the rules of the organization regarding the culture, customs, and other norms at their workplace. As per the Sexual Harassment Act of 2005, one of the clauses states that every employer shall take all necessary and reasonable steps to prevent and ensure that no woman employed in the establishment is subjected to sexual harassment by any third party during the course of employment. In the event of such sexual harassment occurring, the employer should take all necessary steps to assist the aggrieved woman in redressing the act of sexual harassment.
With Regards,
Prof. Rajesh W.
Pune 411033
From India, Pune
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Pity on comments of Mr. Ravi Shankar!!!! Ravi, Will you, as a father, allow your daughter/sister to wear short or mini skirts and roam around in the office or on roads? I think never. As an HR professional, what I suggest is that there should be a strict dress code policy in the office to maintain dress discipline. If girls choose to wear such attire against the policy, they should be terminated immediately and advised to wear it outside office premises.
In my office, as per the dress code policy, no female candidate is allowed to wear jeans or capris from Monday to Friday. On Saturday, they are permitted to wear decent casual attire with a sporty appearance.
If Ravi Shankar is currently in a western country and is displeased with the dress code policy based on our tradition, then no comments from me.
Mrs. Arti Singh Sr. Executive- HR
From India, Delhi
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In my office, as per the dress code policy, no female candidate is allowed to wear jeans or capris from Monday to Friday. On Saturday, they are permitted to wear decent casual attire with a sporty appearance.
If Ravi Shankar is currently in a western country and is displeased with the dress code policy based on our tradition, then no comments from me.
Mrs. Arti Singh Sr. Executive- HR
From India, Delhi
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Hi,
Please find attached a sample dress code that can help address your question regarding girls wearing miniskirts or short skirts in the office. It is important to develop guidelines or procedures on dressing at your office.
With kind regards,
Elisante Yona
From Tanzania
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Please find attached a sample dress code that can help address your question regarding girls wearing miniskirts or short skirts in the office. It is important to develop guidelines or procedures on dressing at your office.
With kind regards,
Elisante Yona
From Tanzania
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Dear Ravi,
Thanks for your active participation. Well, I don't have any wrong opinion about girls wearing short skirts. My query was whether it's professional or not. It's really a big mistake if we terminate an employee based on her dressing. The best approach is counseling or following up with the company's dress code. Sending a letter to her parents is the height of stupidity. Please never think of complaining about a girl to her parents.
Thank you.
Regards,
Kamal Amrohi
From India, Pune
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Thanks for your active participation. Well, I don't have any wrong opinion about girls wearing short skirts. My query was whether it's professional or not. It's really a big mistake if we terminate an employee based on her dressing. The best approach is counseling or following up with the company's dress code. Sending a letter to her parents is the height of stupidity. Please never think of complaining about a girl to her parents.
Thank you.
Regards,
Kamal Amrohi
From India, Pune
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The discussions in this thread clearly illustrate the futility of posing questions without giving enough details about the scenario. This is an international forum, and what holds good for Western countries may not be true for Eastern countries. What's acceptable in a liberal society may be unacceptable in a society following strict codes.
For example, in a manufacturing company that I worked for, a female technician would come to work in mini-skirts (like the tennis players wear), and one could see the underwear when she bent to pick up anything from the floor. Such types of dresses were very popular those days.
Have a lovely day.
Simhan
A retired academic in the UK.
From United Kingdom
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For example, in a manufacturing company that I worked for, a female technician would come to work in mini-skirts (like the tennis players wear), and one could see the underwear when she bent to pick up anything from the floor. Such types of dresses were very popular those days.
Have a lovely day.
Simhan
A retired academic in the UK.
From United Kingdom
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Dear Ravi,
Thank you for your response. Even a school-going child knows that it's professional for girls to work in hotels, as air hostesses, in clubs, bars, recreational clubs, and as fashion dressers. However, it still depends on the company's policy.
Can you please explain to me why it's a "YES" for these industries and not for the others?
Regards,
Kamal Amrohi
From India, Pune
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Thank you for your response. Even a school-going child knows that it's professional for girls to work in hotels, as air hostesses, in clubs, bars, recreational clubs, and as fashion dressers. However, it still depends on the company's policy.
Can you please explain to me why it's a "YES" for these industries and not for the others?
Regards,
Kamal Amrohi
From India, Pune
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Dear Ravi,
In such industries, you have to market and sell their products. Who would like to travel in a hotel or airplane where air hostesses are fully dressed from head to toe?
AIR INDIA does provide its female cabin crew members to be well dressed in a saree. Are you traveling on AIR INDIA? Today, when the Honorable Mrs. PRATIBHA PATIL, the First Citizen of India, is wearing a saree, why is nobody targeting her dress code? What about the dress codes for female IAS officers? Do they possess little or no importance compared to that of a bar girl, air hostess, clubs, bars, recreational clubs, fashion dressers, etc.? They too are contributing to running this country in which you are surviving.
As an HR professional, we should strive to create a healthy environment in our company. Despite such discussions and matters, we should aim to motivate all staff to increase productivity through hard work.
Mrs. Arti Singh
HR Department
From India, Delhi
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In such industries, you have to market and sell their products. Who would like to travel in a hotel or airplane where air hostesses are fully dressed from head to toe?
AIR INDIA does provide its female cabin crew members to be well dressed in a saree. Are you traveling on AIR INDIA? Today, when the Honorable Mrs. PRATIBHA PATIL, the First Citizen of India, is wearing a saree, why is nobody targeting her dress code? What about the dress codes for female IAS officers? Do they possess little or no importance compared to that of a bar girl, air hostess, clubs, bars, recreational clubs, fashion dressers, etc.? They too are contributing to running this country in which you are surviving.
As an HR professional, we should strive to create a healthy environment in our company. Despite such discussions and matters, we should aim to motivate all staff to increase productivity through hard work.
Mrs. Arti Singh
HR Department
From India, Delhi
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Banker sues Citigroup after she was fired for being 'too hot'!
Thu, Jun 3 12:25 PM
New York, June 3 (ANI): A female employee of Citibank was apparently fired from her job because her male colleagues found her 'too distracting'.
Debrahlee Lorenzana said that despite her turnout being professional, her male bosses and co-workers still found her too hot to be around their cold cash.
"Shortly after the commencement of her employment, branch manager Craig Fisher and assistant branch manager Peter Claibourne began articulating inappropriate and sexist comments concerning plaintiff's clothing and appearance," The New York Post quoted her court filings as saying.
"The improper comments made to plaintiff by Fisher and Claibourne included, but were not limited to, advising her that she must refrain from wearing certain items of clothing, in particular, turtleneck tops, pencil skirts, fitted business suits, or other properly tailored clothing.
"In blatantly discriminatory fashion, plaintiff was advised that as a result of the shape of her figure, such clothes were purportedly 'too distracting' for her male colleagues and supervisors to bear."
The filing also read, "In a regressive response more suitable for reality television than a white-shoe corporation in the 21st century, plaintiff was advised that these other comparator females may wear what they like, as their general unattractiveness rendered moot their sartorial choices, unlike plaintiff, whose shapeliness could not be heightened by beautifully tailored clothing."
After rejecting a complaint and an application to be transferred, she was eventually moved to a new branch, she was reprimanded for failing to recruit new customers.
"The purported reasons for plaintiff's termination included that she failed to meet the required new account opening quotas, in addition to the credulity-straining assertion that her clothing choices were 'inappropriate'," the suit said.
"Are you saying that just because I look this way genetically, that this should be a curse for me?" she told the Village Voice, which first reported her case.
In a statement, Citibank said, "We believe this lawsuit is without merit and we will defend against it vigorously."
Citibank has not commented for reasons of employee privacy but added that the bank has "a strong commitment to diversity and we do not condone, or tolerate, discrimination within our business for any reason." (ANI)
From India, Delhi
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Thu, Jun 3 12:25 PM
New York, June 3 (ANI): A female employee of Citibank was apparently fired from her job because her male colleagues found her 'too distracting'.
Debrahlee Lorenzana said that despite her turnout being professional, her male bosses and co-workers still found her too hot to be around their cold cash.
"Shortly after the commencement of her employment, branch manager Craig Fisher and assistant branch manager Peter Claibourne began articulating inappropriate and sexist comments concerning plaintiff's clothing and appearance," The New York Post quoted her court filings as saying.
"The improper comments made to plaintiff by Fisher and Claibourne included, but were not limited to, advising her that she must refrain from wearing certain items of clothing, in particular, turtleneck tops, pencil skirts, fitted business suits, or other properly tailored clothing.
"In blatantly discriminatory fashion, plaintiff was advised that as a result of the shape of her figure, such clothes were purportedly 'too distracting' for her male colleagues and supervisors to bear."
The filing also read, "In a regressive response more suitable for reality television than a white-shoe corporation in the 21st century, plaintiff was advised that these other comparator females may wear what they like, as their general unattractiveness rendered moot their sartorial choices, unlike plaintiff, whose shapeliness could not be heightened by beautifully tailored clothing."
After rejecting a complaint and an application to be transferred, she was eventually moved to a new branch, she was reprimanded for failing to recruit new customers.
"The purported reasons for plaintiff's termination included that she failed to meet the required new account opening quotas, in addition to the credulity-straining assertion that her clothing choices were 'inappropriate'," the suit said.
"Are you saying that just because I look this way genetically, that this should be a curse for me?" she told the Village Voice, which first reported her case.
In a statement, Citibank said, "We believe this lawsuit is without merit and we will defend against it vigorously."
Citibank has not commented for reasons of employee privacy but added that the bank has "a strong commitment to diversity and we do not condone, or tolerate, discrimination within our business for any reason." (ANI)
From India, Delhi
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Dress Code Policy.doc
Formal Dress Code.pps