It’s been a hot summer here in California—and in many workplaces, the rise in temperature has ushered in a rise in inappropriately dressed or scantily clad employees, which can lead to flirtatious behavior and even to a general decline in productivity and office professionalism. What can you do to keep dress code standards up when the heat is on?
Here are three tips:
- Consider a written dress code. Be specific as to what’s prohibited, but point out that your list is not comprehensive. Highlight the fact that all dress will be reviewed for appropriateness on a case-by-case basis. Also, make sure your dress code doesn’t discriminate against employees who wear certain clothing for religious reasons.
- Keep cover-ups available. Have HR or a personnel manager keep sweaters or other cover-ups available for employees whose outfit is too risqué for work. You can also send employees home to change.
- Be specific but sensitive. When confronting an employee about a dress code violation, explain why the dress is objectively inappropriate without personally criticizing the employee’s values or lifestyle. Focus on the attire rather than on the employee; you don’t want to open yourself up to a discrimination lawsuit.
400+ pages of state-specific, easy-read reference materials at your fingertips—fully updated! Check out the Guide to Employment Law for California Employers and get up to speed on everything you need to know.