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Artwork

Dress Codes in the Workplace: Effects on Organizational Culture

By angie shinn '12, ali swigart '12, ashley gritters '12 and matt schmailzl '11.

Organizational Behavior

For the piece on dress codes, students were to work as a team to complete a research paper on an organizational behavior topic. I selected this project because of the depth of research, it followed all of the specific guidelines, and it was well-written on a timely topic.

-Jann Freed

The purpose of this paper is to establish the effect of dress codes on organizational culture, employee morale, productivity, and performance. Three categories of dress codes have been established: formal, business casual, and casual. The paper describes the downsides of the three categories of dress, the different organizational climates each policy creates, and the various perceptions of the employee, clients, coworkers, and uppermanagement.

The paper also highlights the dress code trends throughout the past 30 years and explanations of implemented policy changes. There are many stipulations to consider before a company should apply a new dress code. This paper outlines the guidelines for dress code modification, as well as recommendations for the employees. If a new dress code policy is implemented, these guidelines will ease the transition and will minimize negative reactions to organizational change.

Introduction

Over the last 30 years, dress codes throughout corporations in the United States have undergone drastic changes. In the workplace, change has been most prominently seen in the areas of casual, business casual, and formal codes of dress. Research and analysis has confirmed that a corporation’s specified dress code policy has an interrelated effect on employee behavior, performance, and productivity.

“Dress is clearly a significant means of selfidentification and role definition. Personal styles have great psychological implications for both the wearer and the person interacting with the wearer” (Bowman & Hooper, 1991, p. 330). An organization’s dress code affects employees’ perceptions of the quality of their performance (Black & DiNardo, 1994; Peluchette & Karl, 2007). Additionally, an individual’s style of dress influences how colleagues, clients, and uppermanagement perceive them.

Dress code policies are one visual expression of the culture of an organization. Therefore, workplace attire is a key component in establishing the company’s desired organizational culture (Maysonave, 2001; McCarty, 2010; Wood & Benitez, 2003). The extent of formality of a dress code sets the stage for the type of environment the company wishes to create. If teamwork and unity are strong values in the organization, reducing status differences by standardizing the dress code among all employees will reinforce these organizational values. For example, all employees at Toyota Corporation wear polo shirts and khakis as a way of expressing a unified, team-oriented culture. Also, a casual dress code can help communicate a fun and friendly organizational culture. This may result in employees feeling empowered to deliver exceptional customer service which, in turn, strengthens the company’s fundamental value of providing service excellence (Peluchette & Karl, 2007).

Assumptions have been made regarding the relationship between a casual dress code and employee productivity. While initially the correlation was favorable, over time it has become a distraction to employees, as well as a liability for organizations. According to a survey of over one thousand human resource executives, almost half of the companies with a casual dress-down policy reported a significant increase in tardiness, absenteeism, and flirtatious behavior (Egodigwe & Alleyne, 2003). Another survey concluded that casual dress may lead to a casual work ethic (Peluchette & Karl, 2007, p. 349-350). In contrast, employees who dress formally (i.e. a suit and tie), are considered to have high credibility, are taken more seriously, and are more likely to be viewed as uppermanagement material from top executives (Chaney & Lyden, 1999; Wood & Benitez, 2003).

The purpose of this paper is to establish the correlation between dress code in the workplace and employee performance and morale. Three categories of dress codes will be discussed: casual, business casual, and formal, or sometimes referred to as traditional. While a more casual approach may boost employee morale and comfort, it may have a negative effect on performance (Lee, 2005). In addition to reviewing the literature of this topic, interviews with three managers have been included to illustrate how each company’s dress code is perceived to affect the performance and morale of employees.

History of Dress Code in the Workplace

Prior to the 1990s, workplace attire was predominantly formal, consisting of suits for both men and women. “The boundaries between work and after-work fashion were vividly clear: executive attire in the office, casual attire at home” (Lee, 2005, p. 32). This commonality among most office settings began shifting towards a more casual manner of dress. According to Mary Lou Andre, editor of dressing-well.com, “Business casual first entered the marketplace in the early ‘90s, during the last recession when folks were doing a lot of lay-offs. The people left behind had more work to do, less benefits, and fewer people to do [the work]” (Vangen, 2002, p. 12). This trend was aided by the invention of the Dockers brand in 1986, which allowed for a rise in the more affordable business casual manner of dress (Kiddie, 2009; McPherson, 1997; Sloan, 2000).

Soon after the recession began, the introduction of internet business drove business dress codes to become even more “dressdown.” This informal apparel ranged from t-shirts and jeans to polo shirts and khakis. By the mid to late nineties, business casual dress, at least on certain days, had become the norm for many major firms such as American Express, CitiBank, and IBM (Chaney & Lyden, 1999). As of June 1997, 83 % of U.S. companies surveyed had some form of casual dress policy (Boles, 1997). Levi Strauss & Company, creator of the Dockers brand, says, “The casual look was never meant to replace traditional Mondaythrough- Thursday business attire” (McPherson, 1997, p. 135).

From 1996 to 1999, retailers of formal office attire suffered a sharp drop in sales (Joans, 1996; Sloan, 2000). While casual dress was becoming more common, many organizations began to see a need for implementing written policies as employees started to dress as if they were headed to the playground rather than upholding their professional status. Early in the twentyfirst century, frustrated by worker’s inappropriate office attire, some companies hired wardrobe consultants to help employees with the “dos and don’ts” of corporate fashion (Parekh, 2005; Sloan, 2000; Spitznagel, 2010). Businesses mandating a return to formal policy typically believed that people were coming to work dressed too casually. Companies argued that a casual look can promote a laxness and has a negative impact on productivity (McIntyre, 1998; Maysonave, 2001).

Dress codes changed from casual to more formal styles around 2002 as major financial firms were starting to implement dress policies. This trend was reiterated by an increase in the sale of business suits (Kiddie, 2009). Corporations were particularly concerned with employees showing up with radical changes to their wardrobe such as piercings, stained clothing, and not properly groomed, creating a sloppy overall appearance. This resulted in some companies reinstating a suit and tie rule. According to a study from the Society for Human Resource Management, the percentage of casual dress policies dropped from 53 % in 2002 to 38 % in 2006 (Sowa, 2007; Wood & Benitez, 2003). The current trend is to dress for success, but the current styles permit various colors and have a more tailored, modern look. “Natural fibers, multiple buttons, and bolder ties and shirts are new trends, as America gets back to business” (Feingold, 2001, p. 3).

Elaborate changes in dress codes have occurred in the past twenty years, and there are endless combinations of dress code policies among organizations. However, the style of dress code can be placed on a continuum, ranging from casual to formal, and can be categorized into one of three categories: casual, business casual, and formal.

Trends in Casual Dress

Casual dress code policies originated after a short recession in the nineties, which caused many companies to downsize. The internet was introduced, compounding the need for long office hours and combined with a slump in the economy caused companies to adopt a more cost-effective dress policy (Black & DiNardo, 1994; Vangen, 2002). This new way of dressing paved the way for future corporate policy, allowing workers to shy away from the stuffy “old man in a tie” look to a more modern, comfortable look.

Dressing casually for work can increase employee performance and morale (Black & Dinardo, 1994). After a long day, a casually dressed employee can transition from work to home life with ease by sparing the time of undressing out of nice black shoes and pants just to go to out. Some companies argued against formal wear, referring to a 1999 survey that shows: “Companies that embraced casual business attire enjoyed a 40 % increase in productivity” (Kiddie, 2009, p. 352). This is an astounding growth for any company. Unfortunately, the initial upsurge of productivity did not last.

The downsides of casual workplace attire were soon realized. Damaged first impressions may be a result of dressing too casually at work, as unexpected meetings with clients and upper-management often arise. Additionally, a casually dressed employee may be perceived as unprofessional, incompetent, under-qualified, or uncommitted (Maysonave, 2001). Harry Beckwith, author of the book Selling the Invisible, says, “People do not simply form impressions, they become anchored to them. Busy people are apt to make snap judgments and then base all their later decisions on them” (Maysonave, 2001, p. 46).

Casual dress codes enhance an organizational culture of fun and friendliness, and some dot-com giants still use this method. For most companies, however, casual dress is inconsistent with business values and objectives because it communicates less credibility (Chaney & Lyden, 1999). Jill Bremer, an image coach and the owner of Bremer Communications, describes the threat of a “double-edged sword” when dress codes in the workplace become too relaxed. Although employee morale is usually positively affected by casual dress policies, professionalism suffers as a result (Parekh, 2005; Wood & Benitez, 2003). Therefore, a change was needed. The next category of dress code is the “happy medium” between the two extremes of casual and formal.

Trends in Business Casual Dress

The application of a business casual dress code has been seen as a highly valued employee benefit (McIntyre, 1998). “Millions of people are perplexed by the oxymoron ‘business casual’” (Maysonave, 2001, p. 46). Business casual dress includes clothing that is more relaxed and casual, but still projects a professional, business-like image. In today’s business world, business casual is often depicted by khakis or black pants with a collared shirt (“Business Attire,” 2008; Chaney & Lyden, 1999).

Business casual attire has allowed employees freedom from the costs associated with formal business attire, as well as giving them the ability to feel more relaxed while at work. According to Field, (2000), “Monday through Thursday, men have to wear shirts with collars and muted patterns; Fridays, Hawaiian shirts are O.K.” (p. 180). This is just one specific example from a company that follows business casual dress code.

Over time, business casual attire has become too casual. Vague written policies that only state acceptable attire, excluding specifics about inappropriate clothing, and employees continuously testing the dress codes’ boundaries contribute to this too-casual trend. This requires the company to reinforce or alter their written dress code. When modifications are made, it may be necessary for corporations to have fashion shows, give handouts with images of the “dos and don’ts” of business casual, or hire consultants to conduct employee seminars about the new policy (Lee, 2005; Maysonave, 2001).

Another drawback of business casual dress is the lack of authority the image portrays. As a result of this perception, individuals may have a harder time progressing up the corporate ladder (Chaney & Lyden, 1999; Black & DiNardo, 1994). Perceptions of the individual by clients may also be negatively affected, as a lack of authority is usually related to a diminished sense of trustworthiness.

Employees must realize that it’s impossible to make a neutral statement. As human beings, we are always communicating on the nonverbal level, even when we are speaking. Apparel choices are a huge part of that communication. Clothing impacts an individual’s image, either positively or negatively. When inappropriate apparel choices are consistently made, a negative impact extends to the entire corporation by giving the impression the company is lax or unprofessional. In today’s digital world, first impressions and ongoing impressions—the visual aspects—have never been more critical. (Maysonave, 2001, p. 46)

This being said, corporations must recognize the importance of advising employees of appropriate business casual attire for their specific organization. According to a survey of 616 business students, the preferred business casual dress attire for women consisted of “khaki pants with a coordinating blazer, followed by navy dress slacks with a gray jacket…most appropriate for men were a navy sports coat with gray dress slacks or casual slacks with a polo shirt” (Chaney & Lyden, 1999, p. 15).

Knowing the day’s schedule of events allows an employee to dress to serve the client. Lydia Lee, a Certified Public Accountant, says she likes to dress down for her clients, which makes the meeting more personal (Morton, 2007). It can be beneficial to promote the personal relationship by coordinating styles with the client’s, based on their degree of formality. Thus, business casual dress is most effective in personal situations as it creates more approachability and relaxation, unlike formal attire which is typically thought of as a more rigid and authoritative style of dress (McCarty, 2007; “Business Casual,” 2006).

Although there are many benefits of business casual, these policies can be open to a wide range of interpretation due to unspecified guidelines and broad descriptions (Lee, 2005). There is also an economic trend that exists. The need for competitive advantage in a business is essential in today’s cut-throat business world. Hence, some companies have adopted a traditional code of dress in order to clear up confusion and gain a leg up on the competition (McIntyre, 1998; Maysonave, 2001; Peluchette & Karl, 2007).

Trends in Business Formal Dress

Formal attire in a business environment includes suits and ties for men, while women require business suits with pants or a long skirt and a jacket. The conventional colors of professional dress are usually navy and black. This style of dress in the office environment was the norm until the dot-com boom of the nineties, when many companies opted for a more casual dress code. During the chaos of the internet craze, many firms could not compete and went out of business. In order to regain their positions in the market, the remaining companies began shifting towards a more formal dress code (Peluchette & Karl, 2007). Facloni (1996) says, “If dressing down has an effect on productivity, it is only negative. If you look sharp, you are more likely to act sharp.” (p. 13). Staff writer at National Society of Professional Engineers, Eva Kaplan-Leiserson (2000), concurs, “The way you look directly affects the way you think, feel, and act… When you dress down, you sit down – the couch potato trend. Manners break down, you begin to feel down, and you’re not as effective” (p. 39).

Dressing more formally and professionally exudes a message of authority, credibility, confidence, and a success-oriented attitude (McCarty, 2007). Where a more casual dress may be enforced to promote closer relationships among employees, formal dress is used to enhance status, respect, and efficiency (Lee, 2005; Peluchette & Karl, 2007).

The way one dresses in the workplace affects how they perceive themselves, and also how they are perceived by others. According to Peluchette and Karl (2007), “people adopting a formal attire in the work place believed that they could influence others’ views, achieve greater power and influence, and attain work- related outcomes, such as advancement or compensation increases” (p. 348). Because of economic conditions and other insecurities, many workers have begun to believe that polishing their image will help keep them employed (Stankevich 2002; Wood & Benitez, 2003). This is quite a different belief than the economic downturn during the dot-com era in the nineties, when casual dress was thought to be a competitive advantage.

During the hiring process, the interviewee’s formality of dress is a key factor. Formal dress in an interview conveys professionalism, confidence, and a success-driven attitude (Fetto, 2002). Applicants who are appropriately dressed at interviews are taken more seriously and create a lasting first impression, which is critical in order to gain an upper hand on the other applicants. In one survey, “Seventy percent of executives said they perceive employees dressed in suits to be more senior level, while 60 % said those in suits are taken more seriously” (“Business Casual,” 2006, p. 16).

“Many studies have been done that show a definite correlation between how we dress and how we act. When we’re dressed in appropriate business attire, we tend to act in appropriate business fashion. When we’re not, we don’t,” (Lee, 2005, p. 36). Advocates of formal dress codes believe that casual dressers not only leave their professionalism open to question, but may also jeopardize the professional reputation of the company for which they work for. Target Corporation recognized this threat and revised its dress code from business casual to jacket and tie in November of 2004. Target hoped it would inspire other corporations and companies to follow suit, so to speak. In regards to poorlydressed employees, the CEO of Global Success Strategies, Inc., said “they’re great at their jobs; however, they don’t have any idea how to present themselves professionally with their clothing, their body language, and their etiquette” (Lee, 2005, p. 33).

Guidelines and Case Studies

Casual dress codes were supposed to make the work environment more comfortable and less restrictive. Instead, many people experienced dress-down confusion (Field, 2000). Introduction of more strict written policies has been prominently instituted by managers in small companies to Fortune 500 corporate offices. Maysonave (2001), points out that, “executives are frustrated by the negative impact sloppy clothing is having on their corporate culture” (p. 46). It is uncommon to have attire perceived as unworthy for work, but more than 11 % of administrative professionals have witnessed a coworker being sent home from work to change clothes (“Business Attire,” 2008). Organizations have used dress codes to promote organizational values, norms, beliefs, and culture by directly influencing employee attitudes through their dress (Peluchette & Karl, 2007). Perception, either self or observed, becomes the reality of the corporation.

In order to collect current information, a questionnaire that was emailed to three local companies to see what real-life dress policies are implemented in their workplace. The industries of the respondents were manufacturing, financial planning, banking, and heavy equipment sales. The people were Tim Meier, Vice President of Marketing at Collins Community Credit Union of Cedar Rapids; Randall Schmailzl, a financial planner at New York Life of Des Moines; and Laurie Haynes, Inventory Control Manager at Precision Pulley and Idler of Pella.

Laurie Haynes has always been affected by a dress policy at work. In the nineteen years she has been at the company, the most recent change to the dress code involved a committee. The committee had a presentation which included pictures to help spell out the dos and don’ts, and punishment was also discussed for each occurrence. In order to modify dress policy, involving wardrobe committees was a common theme in all the industries.

The financial planning and banking industries had formal attire in the office, but outside the office appointments are subject to the opinion of the employee. The heavy equipment sales company was the only industry without a formal written policy to dictate attire at work. Rick Boat, the manager of a Vermeer dealership outside of Pella, Iowa said the lack of a policy “is due to the clients served by the heavy equipment retail industry who are typically farmers and local construction businesses.”

Based on this research, two sets of guidelines for implementation of dress policy are provided: one set for the company, and one for the employee. Guidelines for the Company

1. Before implementing a new dress policy note the preferences of employees in order to more accurately predict the impact on employees’ attitudes and behaviors.

2. Ease into changes of the dress code policy. Making a major transition too abruptly could have a negative effect on employee productivity, performance, and budget (Peluchette & Karl, 2007).

3. Have a set of clearly defined guidelines for dos and don’ts about work place attire (Reddick, 2007).

4. Make sure employees are aware of the punishment involved in not adhering to the policy.

5. Be open to feedback from employees, and be able to reasonably explain why policy changes are needed.

6. Make sure every employee affected by the policy is aware of new expectations. The easiest way is through e-mail, a large group meeting, or an updated employee handbook.

7. Lead by example (Hanley, 2009).

Guidelines for the Employee

While many organizations have an established dress code, sometimes the policies are not clear. If an individual is unsure of the dress code expectations, they should start by building on their existing wardrobe. This means purchasing basics that they know are appropriate and that coordinate with what they already have in their wardrobe. It is best to invest in high quality natural fabrics such as 100% wool in colors that are neutral, such as navy, gray, and black (Egodigwe & Alleyne, 2003). The following are some tips for dressing for success:

1. Wear clothes that fit your body type (Kopulos, 2009).

2. Avoid wearing lowcut, see-through, or formfitting shirts (McCarty, 2010; Kopulos, 2009)

3. Cover tattoos and remove all body piercings (Kopulos, 2009).

4. Make sure hair is wellgroomed (Kopulos, 2009).

5. Remember: less is more. This rule applies for makeup, jewelry, perfume, and cologne (McCarty, 2010; Kopulos, 2009).

6. Wear shoes that are closed toed with little to no heel, and of neutral color (McCarty, 2010; Kopulos, 2009).

7. For women, make sure that skirts are no shorter than two inches above the knee (Kopulos, 2009).

Imagine Consultants/Coaching

Trevor Book, “Untitled,” Acrylic on paper, 22” x 30”

There’s an entire generation that grew up in what was a progressively more casual atmosphere and then entered the workforce in the period of time where business casual was really taking over, …very aware of the fact that if they’re expecting employees to upgrade their wardrobe, they need to provide something to soften the blow (Parekh, 2005, p. 28).

In 2002, a survey by Mervyn’s department store chain revealed that 90% of office workers did not know the difference between formal business attire, business casual, and casual dress (Spitznagel, 2010). Many organizations are turning to professional coaching and consulting firms while creating their dress code. Though professional seminars can run anywhere between 1000 and 4,000 dollars, corporations are spending money to ensure that they are not losing business because of the attire of their employees. “When competition is tough and business harder to come by, image management can give you the edge when it matters most, and it really can affect your bottom line” (Hanley, 2009, p. 27).

Image coaching helps managers to build cohesive teams and provides a consistency in company branding. According to Sally Hanley (2009), a professional image consultant for more than 15 years, says that image coaching helps to “build trust and reliability in the eyes of clients and colleagues alike” (p. 27). Some employees’ styles of dress become a problem due to poor definition of dress code specifics by the employer (Parekh, 2005). A great example of a dress code that gives examples of acceptable and unacceptable attire for both men and woman can be found in Appendix C on Figures 1 and 2. Another professional image coach, Jill Bremmer, says, “It really helps for them to hear it from somebody from the outside, who can be objective and be the messenger” (Parekh, 2005, p. 28).

The U.S. is an industrial powerhouse and Americans spend billions of dollars on business wardrobes, hairstyling, plastic surgery, and physical training to put them ahead of the competition. From economic progress to economic downturn, styles have changed vividly over the past 30 years. During the rise of America as an economic leader, many changes were taking place to the culture and it affected people’s opinions of what is appropriate business attire. After the introduction of the electronic age, businesses began to recognize the negative effects of a casual dress code. Managers realized that a classy, professional dress policy led to favorable business results. This idea carried over into the current global economy.

Casual dress codes encouraged a relaxed and friendly work environment for employees, but promoted lack of authority and professionalism. These downfalls helped lead to a more modern business casual look that was based on upholding standards of quality in the workplace. A business casual environment provides a happy medium between casual and formal dress codes. Workers show more efficiency and authority at the workplace when they are required to leave their natural, everyday attire.

The pinnacle of problems surrounding the business casual dress code is the definition of “business casual” itself. There is a broad spectrum of ways to interpret business casual, which is why employers using a business casual dress code should incorporate help of image consultants and clearly defining dos and don’ts with the use of visuals. To eliminate the ambiguity of business casual, some employers depend on a well-established formal code of dress. A formal dress policy can flatten an organization’s hierarchy and increase cohesiveness in the workplace. Although formal attire may be perceived as rigid or less friendly, clients generally have more confidence in an employee that is more formally dressed.

While a more casual approach may boost employee morale and comfort, it can have a negative effect on performance. Presenting oneself professionally at the workplace promotes selfconfidence and competence. Formal dress also enhances a positive perception from top managers and business clients. Organizations that show commitment to the personal development of their staff tend to have employees who feel more valued (Hanley, 2009). In order to balance professionalism with employee morale, organizations should consider having periodic casual days as an incentive to increase productivity and performance.

Research concludes that while there is no standard dress code, there is a system where each industry identifies trends to promote optimum efficiency. When creating and implementing a dress code, organizations must consider their mission statement and values, as well as the culture they wish to portray. As a visual expression of these factors, dress code policy carries immense significance for all business organizations.

Lars Larson, “Early morning,” Acrylic on paper, 22” x 30”

Works Cited

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(2008). Business attire. Office Pro, 68(3), 8. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

(2009). Formal job interview attire preferred by one-third of CIOs surveyed. Hudson Valley Business Journal, 19(1), 22. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Black, J., & DiNardo, J. (1994). Come as you are. Executive Report, 13(2), 6. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Boles, M. (1997). Keep your suit in the closet. Workforce, 76(10), 21. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Bowman, J., & Hooper, H. (1991). Dress and grooming regulations in the public service: standards, legality, and enforcement. Public Administration Quarterly, 15(3), 328-340. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Chaney, L., & Lyden, J. (1999). Putting the ‘business’ in business casual. OfficePro, 59(4), 15. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Egodigwe, L., & Alleyne, S. (2003). Here come the suits. Black Enterprise, 33(8), 59. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Falconi, R. (1996, January). If you want to move up don’t dress down. Financial Executive, 13-14. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Fetto, J. (2002, May). Dress code. American Demographics, 13. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Feingold, J. (2001). Dressing down is out. New Hampshire Business Review, 23(19), 3. Retrieved from Regional Business News database.

Hanley, S. (2009) Why image matters for managers. Manager, 27. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Jones, B. (1996). Unsuitable for the job? Management Review, 85(7), 51. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Kaplan-Leiserson, E. (2000). Casual dress/back-to-business attire. Training and Development, 54, 38-39. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Kiddie, T. (2009). Recent trends in business casual attire and their effects on student job seekers. Business Communication Quarterly, 72(3), 350-354. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Kopulos, M. (2009). Common sense please. Women in Business 61(1), 29. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Lee, A. (2005). The style incentive. Potentials, 38(9), 32-40. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Maysonave, S. (2001). Business casual concepts. Retail Merchandiser, 41(7), 46. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

McCarty, M. (2010). Clothes minded: What to wear to work and what not to. OfficePro, 70(5), 36. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

McCarty, M. (2007). Dude, are these style tips for you? OfficePro, 67(7), 24. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

McIntyre, K. (1998, July 20). Business causal is a hairy situation. Business Insurance, 77. Retrieved from Business Source Elite Database.

McPherson, W. (1997, March). Dressing down in the business communication curriculum. Business Communication Quarterly, 60(1), 134-146. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Morton, P. (2007). Dressing down. CA Magazine, 11. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Parekh, R. (2005). Companies enlighten workers to corporate fashion. Business Insurance, 39(25), 28. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Peluchette, J., & Karl, K. (2007). The impact of workplace attire on employee self-perceptions. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 18(3), 345-360. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Reddick, E. (2007, August 20). Casual dress—the new elephant in the room. Enterprise/Salt Lake City, 37(7), 9-15. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Sloan, P. (2000). Is that Gordon Gekko at the gap?. U.S. News & World Report, 128(16), 46. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Spitznagel, E. (2010). The tragic decline of business casual. Bloomberg BusinessWeek, (4199), 94-95. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Sowa, A. (2007). Some central Oregon businesses show great flexibility in workplace dress code. The Bulletin (Bend, OR). Retrieved from Newspaper Source database.

Stankevich, D. (2002). Now it’s business casual ‘chic’. Retail Merchandiser, 42(4), 4. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Vangen, C. (2002). Back to business (casual). Buildings, 96(4), 12. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database.

Wood, N., & Benitez, T. (2003). Does the suit fit? Incentive, 177(4), 31. Retrieved

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How to do IELTS

IELTS Essay: Employee Dress Code

by Dave | Real Past Tests | 7 Comments

IELTS Essay: Employee Dress Code

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of whether or not companies should focus on making sure employees follow a dress code from the real IELTS exam.

Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my exclusive IELTS Ebooks – you can even sign up for private live lessons with me!

Some people think employers should not care about the way their employees dress, but the quality at work.

To what extent you agree or disagree?

Many are of the belief that corporations should prioritize quality work over appropriate workplace attire. In my opinion, there are limits to this sentiment; however, it is largely justified as other areas are more crucial to success.

Those in favor of a strict dress code argue that it fosters professionalism. Appearance is important not only for clients and customers but also workers themselves. An employee who dresses well for work is similar to an actor preparing for a performance. The appearance of professionalism is likely engender the same level of diligence to their work. This becomes part of a cycle as customers notice the attention to detail and workers become aware they are essentially performing. The best illustration of this is professions that require uniforms, such as doctors and police officers, and thus fully embody their public role.

However, the quality of the work itself is paramount. In recent years, corporations have relaxed dress codes in recognition of this fact. For example, many technology companies in Silicon Valley including Facebook and Google are famous for a more casual approach to attire. This policy begins with the CEOs and executives who eschew traditional suits for jeans, normal shirts, and comfortable shoes. This signals that the success of a company depends more on the output of their work. An employee at such a company who dresses well but cannot code or contribute meaningfully to a high-achieving team is in fact a hindrance to success. The focus on inner qualities and capabilities is reflective of an broader social shift that places less value on factors extrinsic to true achievement.

In conclusion, the minor benefits of dress codes for professionalism are outweighed by the recognition of the importance of real work. Companies should therefore strive to uphold values with tangible impact.

1. Many are of the belief that corporations should prioritize quality work over appropriate workplace attire. 2. In my opinion, there are limits to this sentiment; however, it is largely justified as other areas are more crucial to success.

  • Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
  • Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here .

1. Those in favor of a strict dress code argue that it fosters professionalism. 2. Appearance is important not only for clients and customers but also workers themselves. 3. An employee who dresses well for work is similar to an actor preparing for a performance. 4. The appearance of professionalism is likely engender the same level of diligence to their work. 5. This becomes part of a cycle as customers notice the attention to detail and workers become aware they are essentially performing. 6. The best illustration of this is professions that require uniforms, such as doctors and police officers, and thus fully embody their public role.

  • Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
  • Explain your main idea.
  • Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
  • Keep developing it fully.
  • Extend with some long sentences as well.
  • Finish this main idea.

1. However, the quality of the work itself is paramount. 2. In recent years, corporations have relaxed dress codes in recognition of this fact. 3. For example, many technology companies in Silicon Valley including Facebook and Google are famous for a more casual approach to attire. 4. This policy begins with the CEOs and executives who eschew traditional suits for jeans, normal shirts, and comfortable shoes. 5. This signals that the success of a company depends more on the output of their work. 6. An employee at such a company who dresses well but cannot code or contribute meaningfully to a high-achieving team is in fact a hindrance to success. 7. The focus on inner qualities and capabilities is reflective of an broader social shift that places less value on factors extrinsic to true achievement.

  • Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
  • Explain your new main idea.
  • Include specific details and examples.
  • Continue developing it…
  • as fully as possible!
  • Continue the hypothetical example.
  • Focus back on the topic.

1. In conclusion, the minor benefits of dress codes for professionalism are outweighed by the recognition of the importance of real work. 2. Companies should therefore strive to uphold values with tangible impact.

  • Summarise your main ideas.
  • Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here .

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

Many are of the belief that corporations should prioritize quality work over appropriate workplace attire . In my opinion, there are limits to this sentiment ; however , it is largely justified as other areas are more crucial to success .

Those in favor of a strict dress code argue that it fosters professionalism . Appearance is important not only for clients and customers but also workers themselves. An employee who dresses well for work is similar to an actor preparing for a performance . The appearance of professionalism is likely engender the same level of diligence to their work. This becomes part of a cycle as customers notice the attention to detail and workers become aware they are essentially performing . The best illustration of this is professions that require uniforms , such as doctors and police officers, and thus fully embody their public role .

However, the quality of the work itself is paramount . In recent years , corporations have relaxed dress codes in recognition of this fact. For example, many technology companies in Silicon Valley including Facebook and Google are famous for a more casual approach to attire. This policy begins with the CEOs and executives who eschew traditional suits for jeans, normal shirts, and comfortable shoes . This signals that the success of a company depends more on the output of their work. An employee at such a company who dresses well but cannot code or contribute meaningfully to a high-achieving team is in fact a hindrance to success. The focus on inner qualities and capabilities is reflective of an broader social shift that places less value on factors extrinsic to true achievement .

In conclusion, the minor benefits of dress codes for professionalism are outweighed by the recognition of the importance of real work. Companies should therefore strive to uphold values with tangible impact .

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

are of the belief think

corporations companies

prioritize quality work value more how good the work is

appropriate workplace attire professional clothes for work

limits boundaries

sentiment feeling

however but

largely justified mostly give reason for

more crucial to success more important to achievement

in favor of preferring

strict dress code very limited options to wear to work

argue point out

fosters professionalism creates better work

appearance look on the outside

clients customers

customers clients

dresses well wears professional clothes

similar the same

actor preparing person in a show getting ready

performance starring in a show

engender create

same level of diligence similar amount of professionalism

cycle back and forth circle

notice realize

attention to detail diligence

aware know about

essentially performing basically showing off

best illustration clearest example

require uniforms need clothes

fully embody completely in the role of

public role job in front of others

quality of the work itself how good it is

paramount more important

in recent years the last several years

relaxed calm

recognition knowing about

Silicon Valley place where technology companies are in California

famous for well-known for

casual approach relaxed way

CEOs chief executive officers

executives highly ranking bosses

eschew avoid instead of

traditional suits fancy clothes for work

comfortable shoes sneakers

signals shows

depends more has more to do with

output what is produced

code what must be followed

contribute meaningfully give significance

high-achieving team group that does well normally

in fact actually

hindrance holds back

focus pay attention to

inner qualities characteristics

reflective of mirrors

broader social shift changes within the public

places less value care less about

factors extrinsic to true achievement parts not related to success

minor benefits marginal advantages

outweighed stronger than

strive try hard for

uphold values maintain good principles

tangible impact real effect

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search :

ɑːr ɒv ðə bɪˈliːf   ˌkɔːpəˈreɪʃənz   praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪz ˈkwɒlɪti wɜːk   əˈprəʊprɪɪt ˈwɜːkˌpleɪs əˈtaɪə ˈlɪmɪts   ˈsɛntɪmənt haʊˈɛvə ˈlɑːʤli ˈʤʌstɪfaɪd   mɔː ˈkruːʃəl tuː səkˈsɛs ɪn ˈfeɪvər ɒv   strɪkt drɛs kəʊd   ˈɑːgjuː   ˈfɒstəz prəˈfɛʃnəlɪzm əˈpɪərəns   ˈklaɪənts   ˈkʌstəməz   ˈdrɛsɪz wɛl   ˈsɪmɪlə   ˈæktə prɪˈpeərɪŋ   pəˈfɔːməns ɪnˈʤɛndə   seɪm ˈlɛvl ɒv ˈdɪlɪʤəns   pɑːt   ˈsaɪkl   ˈnəʊtɪs   əˈtɛnʃ(ə)n tuː ˈdiːteɪl   əˈweə   ɪˈsɛnʃəli pəˈfɔːmɪŋ bɛst ˌɪləsˈtreɪʃən   rɪˈkwaɪə ˈjuːnɪfɔːmz ˈfʊli ɪmˈbɒdi   ˈpʌblɪk rəʊl ˈkwɒlɪti ɒv ðə wɜːk ɪtˈsɛlf   ˈpærəmaʊnt ɪn ˈriːsnt jɪəz rɪˈlækst   ˌrɛkəgˈnɪʃən   ˈsɪlɪkən ˈvæli   ˈfeɪməs fɔː   ˈkæʒjʊəl əˈprəʊʧ   siː-iː-əʊz   ɪgˈzɛkjʊtɪvz   ɪsˈʧuː   trəˈdɪʃənl sjuːts   ˈkʌmf(ə)təbl ʃuːz ˈsɪgnlz   dɪˈpɛndz mɔː   ˈaʊtpʊt   kəʊd   kənˈtrɪbju(ː)t ˈmiːnɪŋfʊli   haɪ-əˈʧiːvɪŋ tiːm   ɪn fækt   ˈhɪndrəns   ˈfəʊkəs   ˈɪnə ˈkwɒlɪtiz   rɪˈflɛktɪv ɒv   ˈbrɔːdə ˈsəʊʃəl ʃɪft   ˈpleɪsɪz lɛs ˈvæljuː   ˈfæktəz ɛksˈtrɪnsɪk tuː truː əˈʧiːvmənt ˈmaɪnə ˈbɛnɪfɪts   aʊtˈweɪd   straɪv   ʌpˈhəʊld ˈvæljuːz   ˈtænʤəbl ˈɪmpækt

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

Many a___________________f that c______________s should p_______________________k over a____________________________e . In my opinion, there are l______s to this s_____________t ; h___________r , it is l________________d as other areas are m________________________s .

Those i_____________f a s_________________e a________e that it f_______________________m . A______________e is important not only for c________s and c____________s but also workers themselves. An employee who d____________l for work is s___________r to an a______________g for a p__________________e . The appearance of professionalism is likely e__________r the s__________________________e to their work. This becomes p_____t of a c_______e as customers n________e the a____________________l and workers become a_____e they are e_________________________g . The b___________________n of this is professions that r__________________s , such as doctors and police officers, and thus f_________________y their p_______________e .

However, the q____________________________f is p______________t . I_________________s , corporations have r_________d dress codes in r_____________n of this fact. For example, many technology companies in S_________________y including Facebook and Google are f______________r a more c________________h to attire. This policy begins with the C_____s and e_______________s who e__________w t________________s for jeans, normal shirts, and c_______________________s . This s________s that the success of a company d____________e on the o_______t of their work. An employee at such a company who dresses well but cannot c____e or c________________________y to a h____________________m is i________t a h____________e to success. The f________s on i____________________s and capabilities is r__________________f an b____________r s______________________t that p_____________________________e on f______________________________________t .

In conclusion, the m________________s of dress codes for professionalism are o____________d by the recognition of the importance of real work. Companies should therefore s_________e to u________________s with t__________________t .

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching videos from The New York Times YouTube channel below and practice with these activities :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0zjRGRYEhk

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice :

https://www.wired.com/1998/04/wearables/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam :

  • Do you like to wear jeans?
  • How often do you wear jeans?
  • Did you used to wear jeans when you were younger?
  • What did you like about jeans?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:

The number of people who are interested in and wearing fashionable clothes is increasing.

Is this a positive or negative development?

IELTS Writing Task 2 General Training Sample Answer Essay: Fashion (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)

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Thank you so much it’s very helpful

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It is educative.i love it.

Thanks, Omolade!

Samar

‘ The focus on inner qualities and capabilities is reflective of an broader social shift that places less value on factors extrinsic to true achievement’.

This sentence is a boob. I can never even imagine to write something like this. Truely amazing writing.

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Thank you for this essay. Very well written and full of new words. Amazing topic related volcabulary!

Thanks a lot, Sandra!

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The New Rules of Work Clothes

  • Allison Shapira

essay about dress code at work

People’s tolerance for discomfort — and conformity — has changed.

After two years of hastily throwing a business jacket over a T-shirt and sweatpants while letting people into our homes during the Covid-19 pandemic, our tolerance for conformity — and discomfort — has changed. The business dress code is evolving. Have you been rethinking your work attire as you transition back into the office, but you’re worried about what others will think? In this piece, the author offers practical steps to try if you’re considering changing things up. 

I remember my first keynote speech for a major Fortune 50 financial institution. I wanted to make a powerful first impression, so I went to Nordstrom and spent 10% of my speaking fee on Jimmy Choo shoes that would “demonstrate my business success.” I’ve since worn those black stilettos on stages around the world. And while they do indeed make me feel strong and powerful, they also hurt my feet.

  • Allison Shapira teaches “The Arts of Communication” at the Harvard Kennedy School and is the Founder/CEO of Global Public Speaking, a training firm that helps emerging and established leaders to speak clearly, concisely, and confidently. She is the author of the new book, Speak with Impact: How to Command the Room and Influence Others (HarperCollins Leadership).

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Essay on Dress Code

Students are often asked to write an essay on Dress Code in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Dress Code

What is a dress code.

A dress code is a set of rules about what you can wear. Schools, offices, and clubs often have dress codes. They help people look neat and proper for different places. For example, your school might ask you to wear certain colors or types of clothes.

Why Dress Codes Matter

Dress codes are important because they create a sense of unity. When everyone wears similar clothes, it can make people feel like they belong to a group. In jobs, it helps customers know who to ask for help.

Pros and Cons

Having a dress code means everyone knows what to wear without thinking too much. But, some people feel dress codes limit their freedom to express themselves through their clothes.

Dress Code Tips

When you follow a dress code, make sure your clothes are clean and fit well. If you’re not sure what to wear, ask a teacher or a friend. Always try to look your best within the rules.

250 Words Essay on Dress Code

Types of dress codes.

There are many types of dress codes. For example, in school, you might have to wear a uniform. This is a special set of clothes that all students wear. At a party, there might be a fancy dress code, which means you need to wear your best clothes. In offices, the dress code is often formal, which means suits for men and dresses or suits for women.

Dress codes are important because they help people know what is okay to wear. They can make sure that no one’s clothes cause a problem or distract others. In school, a dress code can help students focus on learning instead of what everyone is wearing.

Dress codes have good and bad sides. A good side is that they can make everyone feel equal. A bad side is that sometimes people feel they can’t express themselves with their clothes. It’s important to find a balance so that people can feel comfortable and still follow the rules.

Dress codes are about wearing the right clothes for the right place. They help keep things fair and respectful. It’s good to follow the dress code, but it’s also important to feel good in what you wear.

500 Words Essay on Dress Code

A dress code is a set of rules about what clothes people can wear. Schools, offices, and different events often have dress codes to make sure everyone looks proper and respects the place or event they are at. For example, your school might ask you to wear certain colors or types of clothes so that all students look alike and no one feels left out because of what they wear.

Why Do We Have Dress Codes?

There are many kinds of dress codes. Some are very strict, like a uniform that all students must wear. Others are more relaxed, just asking people to wear smart clothes or avoid certain items like flip-flops or hats. At formal events, you might have to wear a suit or a dress. Each dress code is made to fit the place or event it is for.

Pros of Dress Codes

There are good things about having a dress code. It can make choosing what to wear easier because you know what is expected. It can also make everyone feel like they belong to a group, like their school or company. Dress codes can also teach us about respect and how to dress appropriately for different situations.

Cons of Dress Codes

Following dress codes.

When there is a dress code, it’s important to follow it. If you’re not sure what you can or can’t wear, it’s a good idea to ask a teacher or someone in charge. They can explain the rules to you. Remember, dress codes are not there to make life hard but to make sure everyone is dressed right for the place or event.

Dress codes are all around us and they play a big role in how we dress for different places and events. They have good points, like making everyone feel equal and looking proper, but they can also have downsides if people feel they can’t be themselves. It’s important to understand why dress codes exist and to follow them while also thinking about how they affect everyone. Whether you’re going to school, work, or a special event, knowing about the dress code can help you fit in and feel comfortable.

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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August 02, 2021

Dress Codes in the Modern Workplace: An Employer's Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls and Liability

Amid the ever-evolving landscape of workplace discrimination laws, savvy employers must regularly review their personnel policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the most recent legal guidance and developments. For many, it may come as a surprise that company dress codes are among the workplace policies that have been the subject of increased litigation and scrutiny by courts and administrative agencies charged with enforcing anti-discrimination laws. Company dress codes and grooming policies could give rise to a wide variety of legal claims, including employee claims alleging gender discrimination or stereotyping, race or national origin discrimination (e.g., "hairstyle discrimination"), or a failure to provide a religious or medical accommodation or exception to a company policy. Here is what you need to know to assess whether your corporate dress code leaves your company vulnerable to the most common employment claims and, if necessary, some best practice tips to revamp your policy.

Dress Codes Generally

As a general matter, employers have a right to impose reasonable restrictions on employee appearance and attire worn in the workplace. Courts have regularly recognized that employers may have a legitimate business interest in their employees presenting a professional appearance at work, particularly when employees are expected to interact with customers or other third parties. Employers may also have a legitimate interest in imposing certain attire restrictions when the attire could present a safety hazard due to the nature of the employee's work. Dress code and appearance policies may land employers in hot water, however, when they exclude or impose an unequal burden on any class of employees, require adherence to gender stereotypes, do not allow for reasonable religious or medical accommodations, or when the policy is enforced only for certain employees.

Gender-Specific Requirements

Historically, courts have interpreted Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) to permit employer policies that impose reasonable variations in dress and appearance requirements for male and female employees, as long as the policy is applied uniformly to all employees and does not impose an unequal burden on one sex over the other. For example, courts have historically upheld policies that impose different hair length restrictions for male and female employees. While such gender-specific requirements may be generally permissible under federal law, at least for the time being, employers with gender-specific policies still risk liability under a Title VII "gender stereotyping" theory, alleging that a company requires employees to conform to traditional gender stereotypes by requiring employees to wear attire traditionally "expected" of the employee's gender (e.g., requiring female employees to wear dresses or skirts instead of pants).

In addition, a number of states and local jurisdictions have enacted laws that impose stricter requirements than Title VII. New York City, for example, expressly prohibits employers from adopting any dress code, grooming, or appearance standards that impose different requirements for workers based on gender . In California, it is unlawful for an employer to refuse to permit an employee to wear pants on account of the sex of the employee. In Washington, DC, employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees on the basis of an employee's appearance, which expressly includes an employee's manner or style of dress and personal grooming.

Gender Identity and Expression

Gender-specific policies can also give rise to claims alleging discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression. The Supreme Court held last year in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia and R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes Inc. v. EEOC that Title VII's prohibition against discrimination on the basis of "sex" extended to prohibit discrimination on the basis of an employee's sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Similarly, many state and local jurisdictions specifically prohibit discrimination on the basis of an employee's gender identity or expression, and some states expressly require that employers permit an employee to appear or dress consistently with the employee's gender identity or gender expression. Enforcing a gender-specific dress code or appearance policy on a transgender, non-binary, or gender non-conforming employee may therefore run afoul of both Title VII and applicable state or local law.

Hairstyle Discrimination

A growing number of state and local jurisdictions have recently passed laws or issued guidance prohibiting employers from adopting policies that ban or limit hairstyles or grooming practices associated with racial characteristics. For example, both Maryland and Virginia recently expanded the definition of "race" in their state anti-discrimination laws to expressly encompass traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and type, afro hairstyles, and protective hairstyles, which specifically include braids, twists, and locks. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has also taken the position that Title VII prohibits employer policies that do not permit African American employees to wear their hair in a natural hairstyle.

Religious and Medical Accommodations

Title VII prohibits discrimination on the basis of an employee's religion and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees whose sincerely held religious beliefs conflict with a work requirement, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship on the company. The EEOC has issued guidance advising that employers must make exceptions to their company dress code and grooming policies for employees who seek to wear religious clothing or articles (e.g., Muslim hijab), who observe a religious prohibition against wearing certain garments (e.g., an Orthodox Jewish woman's practice of not wearing pants), or who adhere to certain religious grooming practices (e.g., a Sikh man's practice of not cutting his hair and beard). The Americans with Disabilities Act further requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for qualified employees with a disability, unless doing so would impose an undue burden on the employer's business. This includes making exceptions for employees whose disability makes it difficult to comply with the company dress code or grooming policy. For example, an employer with a grooming policy that generally prohibits employees from wearing facial hair may need to make an exception for an employee with a medical condition that makes it difficult to shave (e.g., pseudofolliculitis barbae).

Union and Concerted Activity

Certain dress code and appearance standards may also violate employees' rights under the National Labor Relation Act (NLRA). The NLRA protects employees' rights to express their support for or opposition to a union (e.g., to wear union insignia) and to engage in other concerted activities, such as discussing terms and conditions of employment. For example, the National Labor Relations Board has historically ruled that a company dress code prohibiting clothing displaying words or images that are "derogatory to the Company" is overbroad and impermissibly restricts employees' rights under the NLRA. A company dress code that prohibits or restricts employees from wearing union insignia or engaging in other protected activities must be based on a legitimate business need (e.g., safety concerns) and must be narrowly tailored to the special circumstances justifying the rule (e.g., restriction applies only to certain work areas).

Best Practices for Dress Codes in a Modern Workplace

Employers looking to update their company dress code to conform with recent legal trends may consider removing any unnecessary details and restrictions. For instance, the policy should avoid specifying hairstyles that are permitted or prohibited in the workplace. Companies can often achieve their objectives through simple, neutral directives, like a requirement that employees always present "a professional appearance" or a requirement that employees wear "professional business attire" on days that they interact with clients. This gives employees the flexibility to choose their own clothing and present an appearance that conforms with their gender identity and expression, cultural and racial heritage, and religious beliefs. Employers that have a legitimate business reason for specifying types of required or prohibited clothing or standards of appearance should ensure that all such requirements are reasonable and tailored to the needs of the specific position. Any dress, grooming, or appearance policy should generally be gender-neutral and applicable to all employees, except in limited circumstances where the company has some specific, work-related reason for a gender-specific requirement. Employers should also be ready to engage with employees about and make exceptions to their policies when needed to accommodate an employee with a religious practice or medical condition that makes it difficult to comply with the policy.

Legal guidance is likely to evolve over time as courts and administrative agencies apply recently enacted laws and interpret recently decided court decisions bearing on these issues. If you have questions about your company's dress code or any issues discussed in this article, please contact the authors or any other attorney in Venable's Labor and Employment Group .

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essay about dress code at work

January 1, 2016

Dress for Success: How Clothes Influence Our Performance

What you wear can influence your thinking and negotiating skills, and even hormone levels and heart rate

By Matthew Hutson & Tori Rodriguez

essay about dress code at work

Joanne Yong Getty Images

The old advice to dress for the job you want, not the job you have, may have roots in more than simply how others perceive you—many studies show that the clothes you wear can affect your mental and physical performance. Although such findings about so-called enclothed cognition are mostly from small studies in the laboratory that have not yet been replicated or investigated in the real world, a growing body of research suggests that there is something biological happening when we put on a snazzy outfit and feel like a new person.

If you want to be a big-ideas person at work, suit up. A paper in August 2015 in Social Psychological and Personality Science asked subjects to change into formal or casual clothing before cognitive tests. Wearing formal business attire increased abstract thinking—an important aspect of creativity and long-term strategizing. The experiments suggest the effect is related to feelings of power.

Informal clothing may hurt in negotiations. In a study reported in December 2014 in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General , male subjects wore their usual duds or were placed in a suit or in sweats. Then they engaged in a game that involved negotiating with a partner. Those who dressed up obtained more profitable deals than the other two groups, and those who dressed down had lower testosterone levels. 

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For better focus, get decked out like a doctor. In research published in July 2012 in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology , subjects made half as many mistakes on an attention-demanding task when wearing a white lab coat. On another attention task, those told their lab coat was a doctor's coat performed better than either those who were told it was a painter's smock or those who merely saw a doctor's coat on display. — Matthew Hutson

Inspired by findings that winning combat fighters in the 2004 Olympics had worn red more often than blue, researchers investigated the physiological effects of wearing these colors. As reported in February 2013 in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology , they paired 28 male athletes of similar age and size, who competed against one another once while wearing a red jersey and again while wearing blue. Compared with fighters in blue, those wearing red were able to lift a heavier weight before the match and had higher heart rates during the match—but they were not more likely to be victorious. — Tori Rodriguez

Trying too hard to look sharp can backfire. When women donned expensive sunglasses and were told the specs were counterfeit, as opposed to when they thought they were real, they cheated more often on lab experiments with cash payouts. Fake sunglasses also seemed to make women see others' behavior as suspect. Authors of the study, published in May 2010 in Psychological Science , theorize that counterfeit glasses increase unethical behavior by making their wearers feel less authentic. — M.H.

The Red Sneakers Effect

It's not news to anyone that we judge others based on their clothes. In general, studies that investigate these judgments find that people prefer clothing that matches expectations—surgeons in scrubs, little boys in blue—with one notable exception. A series of studies published in an article in June 2014 in the Journal of Consumer Research explored observers' reactions to people who broke established norms only slightly. In one scenario, a man at a black-tie affair was viewed as having higher status and competence when wearing a red bow tie. The researchers also found that valuing uniqueness increased audience members' ratings of the status and competence of a professor who wore red Converse sneakers while giving a lecture.

The results suggest that people judge these slight deviations from the norm as positive because they suggest that the individual is powerful enough to risk the social costs of such behaviors. — T.R.

Home — Essay Samples — Business — Dress Code — The Dress Code Debate: Argumets For and Against

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The Dress Code Debate: Argumets for and Against

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Published: Sep 7, 2023

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Arguments for dress codes, arguments against dress codes, the role of context in dress code arguments, you may also like.

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essay about dress code at work

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Pros and cons of allowing casual dress at work.

Updated: Sep 6, 2019

essay about dress code at work

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Casual Dress Every Day: Pros

  • Employees may feel more comfortable when they’re able to wear what they want, which can improve morale and satisfaction levels. This, in turn, can lead to less stress for employees, improving productivity.
  • When employees are comfortable, they may be more relaxed in interactions with one another, leading to better teamwork.
  • A relaxed dress code can be used to attract new employees who are unhappy with the idea of buying new clothing for a new role.
  • This is a work benefit with little cost to the employer.
  • Employees will have more freedom to express their individuality. This can enhance the feeling that they’re trusted by the employer to do the job well without micromanagement.
  • A casual dress code may allow greater flexibility for religious expression and may provide for nondiscriminatory employer policies.
  • It may provide employees with a greater flexibility to be active during lunch or after work, which can improve well-being.

Casual Dress Every Day: Cons

  • Employees may appear less professional when dressed casually, which can impact customer impressions for businesses that have customers on-site. It may also be difficult to distinguish between customer and employee, meaning some roles may not be able to participate in casual dress, which may cause frustration.
  • Fewer dress code rules may create a higher likelihood of inappropriate dress or attire that is problematic for the workplace, such as in cases when it can pose a safety issue.
  • Having fewer rules may lead to a laxer attitude in general, which could end up negatively affecting productivity.
  • Implementing a casual dress code does not negate the need for guidelines. It will still require rules, but those rules may be more difficult to enforce because they would be more open to interpretation than rules for a stricter dress code.
  • Some employees may feel uncomfortable with the change or uncomfortable with working with those in casual wear.
  • Allowing overly casual attire may create conflicts, such as when employees wear something that is either intentionally or unintentionally offensive to someone else.

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99 Dress Code Essay Topics & Examples

Welcome to our list of topic ideas! Here, you will find dress code research questions, titles for dress code essays, and bonus samples. Explore the importance of school uniform, arguments for and against it, and much more with our dress code argumentative essay topics!

🔝 Top 10 Dress Code Titles for Essays

🏆 best dress code topic ideas & essay examples, ⭐ good research topics about dress code, 👍 simple & easy dress code essay titles, ❓ dress code research questions, ✅ most interesting titles for dress code essays.

  • How to Dress for Special Events
  • Dress Codes and Gender Equality
  • Dress Codes in Religious Institutions
  • Uniforms in the Hospitality Industry
  • Workplace Diversity through Traditional Attire
  • Trends in Entertainment Industry Dress Codes
  • Individual Expression in Workplace Dress Code
  • Impact of School Dress Codes on Student Behavior
  • Brand Representation through Sports Dress Codes
  • Where Is the Line between Formal and Casual Attire?
  • Dubai’s Food, Dress Code and Culture Religion is an important in aspect in Dubai because it influences the lifestyle of the people and forms the foundation of their culture.
  • School Dress Codes and Self-Expression Being urged to wear only approved clothes, students are deprived of an opportunity to understand the differences between social groups and the unique problems of their social class.
  • A Support for Dress Code Policy Dress codes issues in America have been serious to an extent that students have historically taken school administration to courts because of infringing on individual free expression contained in the 1st and 14th amendments.
  • Dress Code and Modesty in the Society In modern cultures, dressing controls and conveys a special message to the society. Dress code and modesty in the society should conform to the moral rules regardless of a person’s religion or culture.
  • Workplace Dress Code Rules and Their Failure As it has been mentioned before, it seems to me that a company must offer a certain dress code or, at least, certain boundaries in terms of clothes, for its employees.
  • A Dress Code Policy as a Discriminatory Practice A dress code is an organizational policy of a school, university, company, or community organization that prescribes prohibitions and rules for the wearing of clothing.
  • Organizational Manual for Dress Code: Attire and Grooming The figure below illustrates the contents of this manual: The organization will create an environment to help the workers and other stakeholders optimize their productivity. However, the employees will still be expected to groom in […]
  • Legal Issue: A Working Dress Code The manager, in turn, replied that heels are part of the dress code that complements the image of the waitresses and attracts customers.
  • Altman Corporation’s Dress Code Policy Memorandum In line with the recent dress code policies developed by the communication manager, the following previews and revisions have been made for the effective implementation of the policies.
  • Altman Corporation Dress Code Policy They are civilian ware and not professional. Underwear should not be visible above the waistline of the clothing.
  • Consultant to an Organization: Dress Codes The reason for changing a dress code policy is to ensure that employees dress appropriately to the work place. However, not all employees respond positively to a change in the dress code.
  • Dress Code and Social Norm Violations In my opinion, this norm is not appropriate in the modern world due to several reasons: first, people are free to make decisions and consider their interests; second, fashion is a current issue that cannot […]
  • Medical Assisting Vocational School: Dress Code First and most obvious, the establishment of the standards in accordance with which the dress code will be altered will have to be considered.
  • Dress Code Implementation Into the NBA
  • Religious Beliefs and Dress Code Policies in the Workplace
  • The Dress Code and Its Effect on the Safety of Students at School
  • Arab Women Freedom and the Dress Code
  • Restrictions in Business Casual Dress Code for Managers
  • Effectiveness of Student Dress Code in American Schools
  • Casual Dress Code vs. Business Casual Dress Code
  • Increased School Safety and the Dress Code Policy
  • School Uniform: Improving the Dress Code
  • Dress Code Dilemma: School Education Clothing
  • Feminism and the School Dress Code for Girls
  • Body Piercing, Tattooing, and the Public School Dress Code
  • Discriminatory Dress Codes in Male-Dominated Industries
  • Applying the Dress Code Policy
  • Business Casual Dress Code: Formal or Informal
  • Dress Code Violation and Discrimination
  • Jesuit Dress Code and Hair Restrictions
  • Business Casual Dress Code of the Workplace
  • Uniform and Dress Code Policies: To Provide a Safe and Orderly Environment
  • The Debate Around the Dress Code in Schools
  • How Dress Code Takes Meaning and Life Out of Clothes
  • Islamic Dress Code and Its Restrictions
  • Dress Code for Expats Who Visit Qatar
  • Understanding Company Dress Code: Appropriate Work Attire
  • Arguments for Reversing the Dress Code for High School
  • School Dress Code and Limit Students Freedom of Express
  • Nursing Uniforms: Why There Should Be a Mandatory Dress Code for Nurses
  • Establishing Employee Dress Code: Suit up or Ship Out
  • Dress Code and Uniforms Code: What Is the Difference in Restrictions?
  • What Not to Wear: Avoiding Dress Code Discrimination
  • Dress Code for Public Schools: Pros and Cons
  • Enforcing the Dress Code Policy for Nurses
  • Arguments for and Against School Dress Codes
  • Dress Code Arguments for High School
  • Anti Dress Code Arguments for Public Schools
  • Wearing Dress Code for Female Workplace
  • Dress Code Policies for Public Schools: Teachers and Students
  • Sexual Harassment, Dress Code, and Attendance Policy
  • Business Dress Code and Image of the Company
  • School Uniforms, Dress Codes, and Free Expression
  • Should School Dress Code Be Enforced?
  • Why Should Dress Code Not Be Enforced?
  • What Does the Dress Code Be?
  • How Dress Code Takes Meaning and Life Out of Clothes?
  • Does Dress Code Prevent Certain Events?
  • Does Your Dress Code Address Flip Flop?
  • What Are Some Examples of Dress Codes?
  • What Is Called the Dress Code?
  • What Are the Four Types of Dress Codes?
  • What Are the Three Levels of Dress Codes?
  • Is It Against the Dress Code to Not Wear a Bra?
  • Why Is a Dress Code Necessary?
  • What Is a Nice Casual Dress Code?
  • What Are the Dress Codes for Work?
  • What Is the Formal, Casual Dress Code?
  • What Is a Formal Dress Code for Ladies?
  • What Is the Most Formal Dress Code?
  • What Is the Fanciest Dress Code?
  • All Schools Should Have a Student Dress Code?
  • How Arab Women’s Freedom Enforced the Dress Code?
  • What Is the Difference Between a Casual Dress Code and Business Casual Dress Code?
  • What Is Dress Code for Expats Who Visit Qatar?
  • Which Is Dress Code for Teachers in Public Schools?
  • What Are the Pros and Cons of the Dress Code?
  • What Is the Connection Between Dress Code Violation and Discrimination?
  • Why Should There Be a Mandatory Dress Code for Nurses?
  • The Role of Dress Code in Impression Management
  • Do School Uniforms Restrict Students’ Self-Expression?
  • How Dress Code Correlates with Gender Identity
  • The Link Between Dress Code and Consumerism
  • Ways to Avoid Cultural Appropriation in Dress Code
  • Body Shaming and Size Inclusivity in Dress Codes
  • Dress Code Policies and Their Effect on Employee Morale and Productivity
  • How Workplace Fashion Reflects and Shapes Societal Perceptions
  • From Traditional Attire to Contemporary Fashion: The Evolution of Dress Codes
  • Ways to Balance Discipline and Personal Expression at School
  • Personal Ethics Titles
  • Cultural Identity Research Topics
  • Deontology Questions
  • Pedagogy Topics
  • Sexism Essay Ideas
  • Wellness Essay Topics
  • Cross-Cultural Management Research Topics
  • Safety Essay Ideas
  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, October 26). 99 Dress Code Essay Topics & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dress-code-essay-topics/

"99 Dress Code Essay Topics & Examples." IvyPanda , 26 Oct. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dress-code-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '99 Dress Code Essay Topics & Examples'. 26 October.

IvyPanda . 2023. "99 Dress Code Essay Topics & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dress-code-essay-topics/.

1. IvyPanda . "99 Dress Code Essay Topics & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dress-code-essay-topics/.

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IvyPanda . "99 Dress Code Essay Topics & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dress-code-essay-topics/.

. Many people believe that it is good idea to have dress code at place. Do you agree?

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Dress Code Essay Examples

The case for school uniforms.

The debate over school uniforms has been ongoing for years, with proponents and opponents presenting their arguments on whether uniforms should be a requirement in educational institutions. In this essay, we will make a persuasive case for the implementation of school uniforms by examining the...

The Battle Over School Dress Codes: a Never-ending Debate

Throughout the years, school dress codes have been a contentious topic among students, parents, and educators. The debate over what students should and shouldn't be allowed to wear in schools has sparked numerous discussions and controversies. This essay aims to explore the different aspects of...

The Dress Code Debate in the Workplace

Workplace attire has been a subject of debate for years, sparking discussions about professionalism, comfort, and personal expression. This argumentative essay delves into the various facets of dress code in the workplace. While some argue that dress codes are essential for maintaining a professional environment,...

The Dress Code Debate in Educational Institutions

The issue of dress codes in educational institutions has been a topic of debate for many years. While proponents argue that dress codes promote discipline, create a conducive learning environment, and teach students about professionalism, opponents claim that they infringe on students' freedom of expression,...

It’s My Body, not Yours: Dress Code Issues

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Clothing Standards: Benefits of Dress Code in School

Clothing standard is a set of rules to make it simple for any people to wear to work or school. It can likewise assist associations with being certain workers are introducing themselves well in gatherings and communications. Clothing standard is something other than wearing a...

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