Custom Corporate Apparel and Dress Code: What Is or Isn’t Reasonable?

When it comes to corporate policies, the general rule of thumb is that there should be a standard dress code. This dress code usually helps people distinguish who works there from other customers. Also, it provides a visual united front with coworkers. While the idea of a dress code is not exactly new, corporate apparel didn’t become standard until retail started to go mainstream in the 1970’s and ’80s.  However, with uniforms being the status quo in public retail spaces, and semi-formal attire being commonplace in offices in America, there is a question that we are revisiting in 2019.  “How much can my boss dictate the dress code?” and “What is unreasonable?” Thankfully, there might be a way to determine what is or isn’t appropriate in mandatory workplace attire.  And it comes from asking the right questions.

How Practical is your Dress Code?

The best and only way to really examine whether a dress code or piece of corporate apparel is fair or not is to examine its purpose. Is this practical for the workplace?  Because not all policies are one size fits all.  You want makeup salesmen to know how to apply and wear makeup, but excess makeup might be a hindrance in another line of work, such as lawn care. So, with this in mind, when you are coming up with corporate apparel, you want to examine its practicality. Not just from a safety perspective, but an efficiency one. 

Examples of Impractical Dress Code Policies and Corporate Apparel

Often times, when people start to notice a misuse power, it is when the rules start to become arbitrary. Especially when it winds up being counterproductive to the goals of the workplace. Sometimes, these people making the dress code are often too wrapped up in their own personal preference to realize the consequences from a policy-based off preference.  Either that or they are just unaware or unaffected they when making the policies.

A big example that is going on in Japan right now is mandatory dress codes for women at work.  According to Actress Yumi Ishikawa, this is a form of sexual harassment in the workplace. “The root cause of the problem is that there are companies that have rules for women only- such as a ban on wearing glasses or a requirement to wear make-up. This practice needs to go under review.”

The purpose of workwear or corporate apparel is to both appear unified and function in it. If you are banning glasses for women who have trouble with dry eyes or demanding high heels as part of a uniform from someone who is in constant foot pain, then you are decreasing the function of your workplace. The dress code becomes counterproductive to workplace synergy. While it is impossible for all employees to be satisfied with every element at work 24/7, it is reasonable to assume that they need to be able to see and walk.

This is far different than a group of people complaining about being able to wear any graphic shirt they want. The former example that I gave would hurt productivity in the long run and would demoralize your employees. The latter, however, is merely employees stating their own personal preference over what is best for the company.

Examine your Worldview

Corporate Apparel is always going to cause some level of contention or resentment from people. But if you want to cause the least amount of conflict among employees, create a dress code with input from other people about daily habits.

If you are polite about it and are willing to listen, open up a conversation with your employees about their normal routines. Try to look for any frustration about double standards when creating these dress codes. Treat everyone as fairly as you possibly can.  What can take one person 15 minutes to get ready can take another an hour, because there are extra steps for some people to conform to the code in the first place. Black hair, for example, is a very contentious point in modern-day grooming codes, thanks to the fact that most black people have hair that is naturally curly.

Put as much effort into the code, as you expect for your employees to understand the policy, and you are more likely to bridge any gaps regarding corporate apparel and other policies.

Do you want to know more about Corporate Apparel in Huntsville, AL? Feel free to read more at www.entrustedtees.com.