Hello Friends,
We are a Business-to-Business organization, and as such, we have a strict dress code. All employees are required to wear business attire at all times, including footwear that covers the whole foot, that is, no open-toed sandals, etc. The company provides a generous clothing allowance, which covers the cost of clothes and dry cleaning expenses.
I would like your thoughts on whether we should allow one day a month (e.g., the last working day of the month) as a dress-down day, where employees can come to work in smart casuals. This would be on the condition that if an employee is meeting with a client, the normal dress code will apply.
Regards,
Harsh.
From United Kingdom, Barrow
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370We are a Business-to-Business organization, and as such, we have a strict dress code. All employees are required to wear business attire at all times, including footwear that covers the whole foot, that is, no open-toed sandals, etc. The company provides a generous clothing allowance, which covers the cost of clothes and dry cleaning expenses.
I would like your thoughts on whether we should allow one day a month (e.g., the last working day of the month) as a dress-down day, where employees can come to work in smart casuals. This would be on the condition that if an employee is meeting with a client, the normal dress code will apply.
Regards,
Harsh.
From United Kingdom, Barrow
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Dear Mr. Harsh Shukla,
You mentioned the criteria for dress down day again, specifying that employees will be meeting clients for business matters. In multinational corporations or high-profile companies, clients often require a dress code. In addition to wearing relaxed fabrics, employees can dress as you desire.
Rather than wearing a business suit with a tie, creating a congested outfit, employees can opt for business casual attire that is suitable at all times, even throughout the month. This can include a shirt with long or half sleeves, without a tie, paired with cotton pants (in colors like khaki, brown, or green) to achieve a business casual look. Men can consider wearing boat shoes or leather shoes instead of sneakers, along with a neat haircut and minimal accessories.
For women, clothing should be modest, ensuring that skirts are below knee length and paired with a collared shirt (half or full sleeves). As you mentioned, closed-toe footwear is required, so women can wear ballet shoes instead of heels (flats), with hair tied back and well-groomed nails to convey professionalism even on a casual day.
It is important that employees have the option to change into their business attire if clients specifically require a professional look. This process should be seamless to avoid any confusion or discomfort for clients during work interactions.
We welcome your feedback on implementing these guidelines, as they could enhance dress code strategies in many companies.
Thank you.
Best regards, [Your Name]
From India, Visakhapatnam
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You mentioned the criteria for dress down day again, specifying that employees will be meeting clients for business matters. In multinational corporations or high-profile companies, clients often require a dress code. In addition to wearing relaxed fabrics, employees can dress as you desire.
Rather than wearing a business suit with a tie, creating a congested outfit, employees can opt for business casual attire that is suitable at all times, even throughout the month. This can include a shirt with long or half sleeves, without a tie, paired with cotton pants (in colors like khaki, brown, or green) to achieve a business casual look. Men can consider wearing boat shoes or leather shoes instead of sneakers, along with a neat haircut and minimal accessories.
For women, clothing should be modest, ensuring that skirts are below knee length and paired with a collared shirt (half or full sleeves). As you mentioned, closed-toe footwear is required, so women can wear ballet shoes instead of heels (flats), with hair tied back and well-groomed nails to convey professionalism even on a casual day.
It is important that employees have the option to change into their business attire if clients specifically require a professional look. This process should be seamless to avoid any confusion or discomfort for clients during work interactions.
We welcome your feedback on implementing these guidelines, as they could enhance dress code strategies in many companies.
Thank you.
Best regards, [Your Name]
From India, Visakhapatnam
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Dear Harsh,
A dress code policy is almost a mandatory ingredient of the employee handbook. There can be no limit to draw the line. I suggest you identify the philosophy behind it rather than the specifications.
The first thing that we are judged for is how we present ourselves. A definite outfit helps us cover many loopholes in our relaxed behavior, which can otherwise be misread as 'easy-going' or even 'not-so-serious'.
Please identify what helps one to be respectable. Comfort and class will follow. You are the best judge of your environment. You may not need a three-piece suit to be looked up to, neither a Fab India Kurta to be laughed at.
I read an article a few days back on the inches of heel for formal shoes. Yes, it was brilliant for entertainment. We, as HR professionals, have more interesting, if not intellectual, ideas to ponder.
Wish you all the best.
From India, Mumbai
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A dress code policy is almost a mandatory ingredient of the employee handbook. There can be no limit to draw the line. I suggest you identify the philosophy behind it rather than the specifications.
The first thing that we are judged for is how we present ourselves. A definite outfit helps us cover many loopholes in our relaxed behavior, which can otherwise be misread as 'easy-going' or even 'not-so-serious'.
Please identify what helps one to be respectable. Comfort and class will follow. You are the best judge of your environment. You may not need a three-piece suit to be looked up to, neither a Fab India Kurta to be laughed at.
I read an article a few days back on the inches of heel for formal shoes. Yes, it was brilliant for entertainment. We, as HR professionals, have more interesting, if not intellectual, ideas to ponder.
Wish you all the best.
From India, Mumbai
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Dear Everyone on the Thread:
Clothes can make you! Clothes can break you! Having said that, let us remember that clothes 'at work' are there to 'conceal' rather than to 'reveal'. An organization may, or may not, have a dress code—forgetting not that being 'dressed-up' at times may put you down, and the opposite may be true—being 'dressed-down' you may be on a high note. Cultural and organization constraints accepted, but what needs being challenged is: do the clothes wear you down when you wear them, or do the clothes spice in that rare balance of space, acknowledgment, need, or otherwise, intimacy or distance that is needed as the bottom line in building interpersonal relations and getting the job done! Decide for yourselves. Keep smiling.
From Pakistan, Karachi
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Clothes can make you! Clothes can break you! Having said that, let us remember that clothes 'at work' are there to 'conceal' rather than to 'reveal'. An organization may, or may not, have a dress code—forgetting not that being 'dressed-up' at times may put you down, and the opposite may be true—being 'dressed-down' you may be on a high note. Cultural and organization constraints accepted, but what needs being challenged is: do the clothes wear you down when you wear them, or do the clothes spice in that rare balance of space, acknowledgment, need, or otherwise, intimacy or distance that is needed as the bottom line in building interpersonal relations and getting the job done! Decide for yourselves. Keep smiling.
From Pakistan, Karachi
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Clothes can make you! Clothes can break you! - Arif Ur Rehman
I could not agree more. I've been in the business and industry consultant training mode for 30+ years. The dressing issue was a concern of mine when I started - always wore a tie, always dressed exceptionally well. Too often, although this may 'seem' appropriate, it was not. In fact, looking back on me then, I can see and understand some of the hesitation from potential clients. Namely, that I was overdressed and no matter what I may have said, it was understood and heard as condescension. Basically, I learned that my appearance preceded me...by several kilometers. This is not a good thing when a signed consulting contract is weighed in the balance. After a few years, I professionally matured and realized that a nice and quite accepted dress would be slacks, a button-down shirt (no Polo or pullover), and a simple understated dress coat or sport coat, which many times was only for appearances and intentionally taken off as the meeting started (certainly no tie). It represented a sort of - now let's get started on the work - image. Never wear cologne for a business meeting or to work. What is pleasant for you is nauseating for others... "why take the chance of offending others" comes to mind.
How should a woman dress? I'm not really sure but professionally speaking, stilettos are out, makeup for a night clubbing is out. And again...about the perfume - light if any.
*By the way - is there anyone in the market for designer silk ties? ;)
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This revised text corrects spelling and grammar errors while maintaining the original message and tone. The paragraphs are properly formatted with a single line break between them.
From United States, Fremont
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I could not agree more. I've been in the business and industry consultant training mode for 30+ years. The dressing issue was a concern of mine when I started - always wore a tie, always dressed exceptionally well. Too often, although this may 'seem' appropriate, it was not. In fact, looking back on me then, I can see and understand some of the hesitation from potential clients. Namely, that I was overdressed and no matter what I may have said, it was understood and heard as condescension. Basically, I learned that my appearance preceded me...by several kilometers. This is not a good thing when a signed consulting contract is weighed in the balance. After a few years, I professionally matured and realized that a nice and quite accepted dress would be slacks, a button-down shirt (no Polo or pullover), and a simple understated dress coat or sport coat, which many times was only for appearances and intentionally taken off as the meeting started (certainly no tie). It represented a sort of - now let's get started on the work - image. Never wear cologne for a business meeting or to work. What is pleasant for you is nauseating for others... "why take the chance of offending others" comes to mind.
How should a woman dress? I'm not really sure but professionally speaking, stilettos are out, makeup for a night clubbing is out. And again...about the perfume - light if any.
*By the way - is there anyone in the market for designer silk ties? ;)
---
This revised text corrects spelling and grammar errors while maintaining the original message and tone. The paragraphs are properly formatted with a single line break between them.
From United States, Fremont
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Dear All,
I have been working in the service industry, specifically in airlines, for the past thirty-two years. We have uniforms up to the middle management level in all departments to help project a decent image of the organization. However, I do not find it as useful as it is often portrayed. For instance, a passenger is more concerned about their flight departing on time rather than being checked-in by someone in uniform. From the customer's perspective (in our case, the passenger), the emphasis on the staff's uniform is much less significant compared to factors like punctual departures, in-flight service quality, timely and proper baggage handling at the destination, and so on.
I have observed that several private banks, also part of the service industry, provide superior service without requiring their staff to wear uniforms. While having uniforms for staff can be considered a positive aspect, in reality, it does not directly impact the quality of service provided or the overall success of the business.
S.K.Limaye/mba(hrm)
From India, New Delhi
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I have been working in the service industry, specifically in airlines, for the past thirty-two years. We have uniforms up to the middle management level in all departments to help project a decent image of the organization. However, I do not find it as useful as it is often portrayed. For instance, a passenger is more concerned about their flight departing on time rather than being checked-in by someone in uniform. From the customer's perspective (in our case, the passenger), the emphasis on the staff's uniform is much less significant compared to factors like punctual departures, in-flight service quality, timely and proper baggage handling at the destination, and so on.
I have observed that several private banks, also part of the service industry, provide superior service without requiring their staff to wear uniforms. While having uniforms for staff can be considered a positive aspect, in reality, it does not directly impact the quality of service provided or the overall success of the business.
S.K.Limaye/mba(hrm)
From India, New Delhi
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