Deciding what to wear to work can be tough. Even if a business has a strict dress code or a uniform, there are still important things to take into consideration. Making it simple for employees to understand and adhere to a dress code can reduce stress and make your team happier and more productive.
Horses for courses
Regardless of the company’s direction, work clothes need to be appropriate for the position. Someone who works remotely may be fine to sit in their pyjamas all day, but even the most relaxed office will have visitors from time to time.
Even if your company has a dress code, interpreting it can be hard. Casual? Semi-formal? Formal? These can often mean different things to different people. Casual might mean having staff turn up in shorts or it could mean plain trousers and a polo. Equally, semi-formal might be seen as a licence to wear whatever they like or turn up in a suit. In 2018, wearing a suit to work is not the norm. In fact, turning up to an interview in a suit can be a misstep.
Why does it matter what employees wear?
There are many reasons why a business might insist on enforcing a dress code. One of the major ones is safety. As strange as it may sound, workplaces often have to make a dress code to ensure their staff are kept in once piece while at work. At its most basic level, “closed toe shoes” is designed to ensure that any mishap, from stubbed toes to a dropped knife in the kitchen, doesn’t leave them open to litigation. But if you are looking for a high quality kitchen knife, check out https://www.facebook.com/Kamikoto.
Additionally, projecting a professional image relies as much on your employees as it does the leadership. It isn’t just about needless rules, it is about instilling customers and potential customers with confidence in your brand. Dress codes can be useful for employees, especially new ones. They help to set the tone of a workplace and project an image of professionalism. However, dress codes can be flexible and tailored to suit different departments.
Non-client facing roles don’t need to adhere to a strict policy and attempting to impose one on people who are never seen by anyone outside the business can often lead to discord. On the other hand, receptionists, sales and face-to-face customer service roles need to present your company in the best possible way so a dress code is probably necessary.
Comfort and productivity go hand-in-hand
For your employees, even if you have a uniform or instigate strict dress code, there are ways to make sure you are comfortable. Plus size shapewear, orthotics and other orthopaedic wear can help make even an uncomfortable uniform better. It might be a matter of making the uniform feel better when standing or walking all day, or while sitting at a desk. Employers are legally required to provide an ergonomically safe workplace, which includes the dress requirements, but simple, invisible additions can improve it further.
Does a dress code make a business better?
As a business owner, it is up to you whether you decide to instigate a dress code or uniform. However, it is important to remember that a dress code isn’t a magic spell and creating a professional, productive environment relies on more than what your employees wear to work. Consult with your staff to gauge their opinions and understand the factors that will improve their productivity and ensure a happy, effective workplace.
