Do some employees wish they could wear jeans and flip-flops to work every day? You might even hear some workers say, "I am more comfortable wearing jeans and flip-flops. And when I'm comfortable, I'm also more productive."
What’s the answer to this dilemma? As usual, it’s good old-fashioned common sense with a dash of human resources (HR) strategic reasoning thrown in for good measure.
Many employers have legitimate concerns about employee dress and grooming, as a practical business matter. Some cultures around the world consider it a sign of disrespect when workers are too casually dressed. If a business wants to grow globally or delve into the international arena, a negative perception could have consequences.
To become more familiar with international business dress norms, Executive Planet comes highly recommended. This online guide to international business provides information about international business customs.
The U.S. workforce is diverse, and, of course, employees have varying tastes when it comes to dress. Even so, most HR professionals I know truly do not want to serve as the fashion police.
In fact, many HR professionals have led the way on behalf of employees. Indeed HR helped lay the groundwork for achieving a dress-code balance between wearing that which can be downright uncomfortable and distracting versus wearing what is comfortable, safe, appropriate and generally tasteful.
Let’s also be pragmatic. HR is in the business of helping employers grow their businesses through their people. And studies show that both men and women are more productive when they’re comfortable.Again, it goes back to a level of common sense. Some people are more comfortable in their pajamas, but that also doesn’t mean that employers should find ways to accommodate such comfort zones.
It's almost inevitable that problems will arise when employers relax the dress code. Some employees take these relaxations to the extreme. In those cases, says an HR colleague, it’s best that employers become very specific about what is allowed and what is not permitted.
For instance, if employers do not want employees wearing tank tops, mini-skirts, flip-flops and jeans, their communications should be very specific. Employers should also make employees aware of the consequences, if employees ignore stated dress-code guidelines.
Next seek common ground.
Nearly all employees are motivated by self-interest, as well. So employers should also point out the benefits of avoiding fashion faux pas in the workplace.
One HR professional said that employers and managers can remind employees that dressing professionally can have career benefits. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), surveys indicate that promotions go more often to those employees who dress professionally.
Here is how an international etiquette and image expert put it. Jacqueline Whitmore, also an author and business coach, said that professionals are similar to real estate in that they need “curb appeal.”
According to Whitmore, who has appeared on a variety of network and cable news shows and programs, such as CNN and FOX: “If your outward appearance is neat and attractive, people will want to know more about what you have to offer on the inside. What you wear says a lot about who you are and where you want to be.”
Finally, if all else fails, perhaps this news will dissuade some flip-flop wearing employees. In an article titled, “The Killer Between Our Toes” published by New York Magazine on Aug. 11, 2009, two Daily News reporters had their flip-flops tested at a lab. They learned that their flip-flops were magnets for deadly, dangerous bacteria.(see online at www.nydailynews.com).