04/ 04/ 2007
Creating a dress-code policy to suit your small business
Picture this: A client decked out in a suit makes a surprise visit to your office and find everyone dressed in flannel shirts, khakis and sandals. A customer in your store winces when handing her credit card to a cashier in a baseball cap, jeans and a rumpled T-shirt stamped with a rock band moniker. You can't get employees to focus in the mornings because they keep dishing about the woman who comes in wearing plunging V-necks, skimpy skirts, fishnets and stilettos.
If these any of these scenarios apply to your business, it might be time to adopt a dress code. Even if these examples are more extreme than the fashion crimes your employees commit, you might still need to consider how workplace attire affects your bottom line.
A more casual style of dress has ruled businesses since the '90s dot-com boom, when Internet firms found that employees worked better in more relaxed clothing. Companies in other industries loosened up their dress codes, too, hoping for similar results. But with confusion over the term "business casual" causing workplace attire to spiral from dress shirts, trousers and sports coats for men and sweater sets and dress pants for women to T-shirts and shorts in some cases, many businesses are returning to stricter dress codes.
A recent Society for Human Resource Management study showed that the number of businesses allowing employees to dress casually on Fridays is declining, down 55 percent from 60 percent in 2001. And a BizRate Research study found that the majority of employees who work in offices must adhere to a dress code.
Making an impression
So what's right for your business? You want employees to feel comfortable and free to express themselves--something especially important to younger hires that you want to attract. But like it or not, first impressions count, and what you wear to work sends a message to customers and clients about how you work.
Dressing well reflects a positive attitude and encourages others to take you seriously. A sharp, polished look says that you pay attention to details and communicates strength, stability and trust to people with whom you do business. Some managers even argue that casual dress prompts a lackluster attitude toward work and erodes professional relationships, especially when everyone in the company dresses down. If this is true for your business, setting a dress code might be an inexpensive way to boost morale.
Just because you establish a more formal dress code doesn't mean that you have to require everyone come to work in three-piece suits or dresses. You shouldn't demand a style of dress that employees can't afford or one that doesn't make sense for your company culture or industry.
If you run a Internet business, for instance, you might be able to get away with a more casual dress code that includes jeans since employees spend most of their day behind computers, communicating with people via e-mail. But if you run a bank, law or investment firm, your dress code should mostly consist of formal to semi-formal wear. The region where you do business––Southern California versus Manhattan, for example––can also dictate dress, as well as how often people visit your office.
Keep your business objectives in mind, too. If your employees frequently make presentations, meet with clients or customers or spend a lot of time out of the office, you should aim for a classic or smart dress style that includes dressy slacks or trousers, nice shirts and sweaters and closed-toed pumps or loafers. But if your store or shop has a friendly customer service feel, you could go more casual.
Drafting a fitting dress code
You might think that discrimination laws restrict your right to determine what is appropriate for employees to wear to work, but you actually have a lot of discretion in the matter. A carefully crafted dress code based on legitimate business reasons and applied consistently, without weighing more heavily on one group than another, shouldn't violate any civil rights. Other tips to remember when drafting a dress code include:
- Communicate the reasons behind the regulations: Outlining the business justifications for your dress code in a meeting and in writing will not only keep you out of legal trouble, it will also help employees understand your rationale behind certain regulations. Show employees how they can help you promote a positive work environment, limit distractions or ensure safety by the way they dress––and they'll be less likely to challenge you.
- Tailor the dress code to the work employees do. Don't expect a stock clerk to wear a white shirt and tie or a graphic artist to wear a dark suit. Staff who work directly with customers or clients negotiating business or closing deals should dress more formally than employees who mostly do manual labor or work behind-the-scenes. Creative types should be allowed to wear clothing that is personally expressive, while IT employees need to be able to dress so that they can crawl under desks when necessary.
- Allow for personal discretion. Get too specific about prohibited clothing items, and someone is sure to find a loophole. Keep dress code language general so it covers the spirit of your objectives––and leave some things up to common sense. Items like V-necks can look nice when they aren't too low-cut; capris can look appropriate when part of an outfit. Even jeans can look OK when they aren't paired with a ratty T-shirt or flip-flops. Encourage employees to save their khakis for an in-office day or keep a blazer or sports coat in their locker in case a client drops by unexpectedly.
- Throw a fashion show. If your implement a "business casual" dress code, specify what that means. Bring pictures from fashion magazines to show a range of appropriate work attire. Improvements in synthetic fibers make it easier nowadays to find casual clothing that looks professional. Suggest a few stores in mid-price range where employees can find outfits. You might even consider giving them a gift certificate to a department store to help them build their wardrobe.
- Get feedback. Ask customers how they would like to see employees dress. Match your dress code to the culture, styles and personalities of your clients. And don't forget to get input from employees; if they feel silly wearing certain clothing, they will find a way to buck the system. Listen to their ideas and revise your policies accordingly.
- Be flexible and fair. No one wants to wear itchy hose or heavy blazers as the temperature climbs. Consider loosening up your dress code in the summer, especially if employees spend a lot of time traveling or in and out of the office.Be willing to make exceptions for employees whose religious practices or disabilities force them to veer from your dress code.
