What’€™s Your Dress Code?

Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a corporate exec, you know the way employees represent you is important.

Dress codes let people know whether your business is buttoned up or laidback and casual. How do you determine the best dress policy for your company?

“Desired brand positioning” is a key aspect, says Dr. Victoria Seitz, author of I Don’t Wear a Suit.

To determine the right fit, she considers the level of client interaction. “Do customers call employees or talk with [them] face-to-face?”

Next, “evaluate your competition. How do you measure up [in terms of] employee dress and conduct? Who is your target market and what industry are you in?”

Before finalizing the policy, Seitzs recommends reading up on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to ensure you don’t “prohibit the expression of cultural or ethnic values.”

“Once the policy is finalized, consider implementing [it] on a three-month trial basis.” Seitz recommends communicating the policy to all employees. You can make it part of the company handbook to ensure there’s no gray area and allow for wiggle room if changes need to be made.

“If owners and managers fail to follow the dress code policy,” she says, “employees will surely not abide by it.” So no walking around in flip-flops if employees are expected to don close-toed shoes.

For more, check out Employee Dress Code Policies: Guidelines for Family Businesses. Plus, the U.S. Small Business Administration provides insight on dress code policies, like considering any physical activity the job entails.

Bonus PINK Link: Your own authentic image is just as important as your company’s. Here’s how to develop it.

By Christine Kim

“You cannot climb the ladder of success dressed in the costume of failure.”
Zig Ziglar