Recruitment Information – Articles and Press Releases
Employers Happy To Relax Dress Code In Hot Weather
by Adam Richardson of Yellow Cat Recruitment.« Back
The summer of 2010 will be remembered as being one of the hottest in years. This is all well and good when you’re in shorts and a t-shirt but as many Londoners are experiencing, it’s not great when you’re in a shirt and tie.
Here at Yellow Cat we are lucky to have an understanding boss who has allowed us to wear shorts and flip flops during the hot weather, but are other employers also being flexible with their dress code?
A recent survey by law firm DDF has revealed that 29% of employers are happy to relax their rules whilst the weather is so hot by allowing employees to remove ties and wear sandals or flip flops. However, a third of employers (34%) have experienced problems with employees dressing “inappropriately”. Offending items have included revealing low-cut tops, and informal shorts.
Encouragingly, most employers were able to deal with issues informally by asking the employee to return home and change or by having a ‘quiet word’ to explain that their dress was inappropriate and asking the employee not to wear it again. 25% of respondents had also received complaints from other employees or third parties in relation to an employee’s dress.
DDF had the following advice for employers when dealing with dress codes:
- Make sure you have a clear and understandable dress code so that employees know what is required. If possible give examples of the types of dress that are acceptable and items of dress that are not allowed in the workplace.
- The requirements of your dress code should not go beyond what is necessary and appropriate for the particular job/workplace.
- Communicate the policy to all your employees and make sure they are aware of where they can obtain a copy of it.
- Make sure your dress code is applied even-handedly between men and women. Dress codes which differentiate between the sexes are not automatically unfair but employers should ensure they require the same degree of formality in relation to men and women.
- Minimise allegations of discrimination on the basis of religion or belief.
- Be flexible. Make sure you review your dress code regularly to ensure that it reflects changing attitudes and culture.
- Where you are introducing a dress code policy for the first time make sure you consult with employees or their representatives to ensure you are aware of any particular issues/concerns of employees.
- If an employee breaks the dress code, be sure he or she understands what the problem is and how it can be resolved. Apply any penalty/action consistently.
- Where you are relaxing your dress code for the summer make sure your employees are clear of the boundaries ie) is a tie required, are flip flops allowed, can women (and men!) wear sleeveless tops etc.
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