Dress codes for businesses and companies may be one of the most important yet difficult standards to enforce. A big percent of company image is derived from how your employees dress up and how presentable they make themselves to customers. That’s why it is very important to create and enforce a solid standard for company clothing.

Your employees face customers on a daily basis. They are the ones who make contact with them and they represent your company for you. What they wear and the image they project will say almost the same thing about your company. At least, that’s how customers and visitors will view it.

Formulating dress codes certainly accompanies a number of challenges. Companies must be careful enough not to overstep its bounds else, codes will cease to be legally enforceable. Standards for clothing must not in any way restrict religious freedom nor should it discriminate against a gender type.

An effective dress code policy needs to be clearly understandable and easily followed. When formulating dress codes, it is important to always consider employee roles and visibility. Take sensitivity to religious issues as well as gender issues. Clothing policies must be clearly, fully, and strictly communicated to company workers.

Be updated on appearance and clothing issues. Dress code issues quickly change so be up to date on legal, ethical, as well as the practical issues related with employee dress codes.
The Dress Code section of the Business & Legal Reports Web can be a good resource. It gives current news and needed updates companies need to know. The site offers many helpful tools and information like tattoos, makeup, fashion, and other employee appearance and clothing issues.

Remember to put everything on paper. Give absolute specifics as much as possible. Let employees know what they can and cannot wear in order to avoid uncertainty and misunderstandings. A free model dress code is available at Personal Policy Service Inc. which can be downloaded to any computer for customization and printing.

Educate yourself on current laws before developing company dress requirements. Know your rights as a company as well as your responsibilities so that you may be spared from any future accusations of racial, religious, or gender discrimination. Resources are available at the AHI Employment Law Resource Center. The site gives answers on important issues regarding legal dress code particulars.

See to it that company dress codes are clearly and thoroughly communicated to all employees. Use posters, newsletters, memos, and other written and oral correspondence that will help the company disseminate advice and announcements on clothing requirements. You may include a copy on every training or miscellaneous manuals and handbooks. Employees can even be required to affix their signature to mean they have read and understood all provisions and that they promise to abide therein.

Lastly, make sure that employees really understand why such regulations are in place. Explain all image, health, and safety reasons for putting a dress code in place. If these are well understood, you can expect employees to willingly abide by them and not to resent them.

Tags: Dress Code, Dress Policy