A Project Report On

WORK PLACE DRESS CODES.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of

POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN MANAGEMENT

From

NARAYANA BUSINESS SCHOOL, AHMEDABAD

Subject: Personal competency building.

Component: (CEC/Internal)

Submitted By

NAME: Lalkrishna sharma

CLASS: PGDM alpha

ROLL NO: 022

TRISEMESTER: 2

Under the Guidance Of

NAME: prof. Monika Maheshwari.

DESIGNATION: Personal competency

 workplace dress codes

A code is a set of rules or terms that are available in written as well as unwritten format.
Similarly, dress code is a code regarding the clothing and physical appearance of a person
according to the given situation. Clothing may vary person to person depending on the social
status, authority and significance of the person, and the circumstances. Within 24 hours, a
person changes his or her clothing, at least twice. Workplace and home both the places call for
different dress codes to provide uniformity and comfort respectively. This comfort and
uniformity are a result of adaptation of people of different culture, religion, and region. Dress
code at work and acceptance of certain style depends upon the society however, the western
form of clothing is ‘mostly’ (mostly and not entirely) accepted in all sectors nowadays.

In the similar manner, dress-coding system also knocked on the doors of the workplace in the
1950s period. Through the years, the workplace dress codes have experienced innumerable
changes.

In corporation, men are required to wear clean, business clothes that might include shirt and
trousers. In the law and banking firms, employees (lawyers and bankers) are expected to wear
suits, neckties, and other formal outfits. However today, the changes over the years have
resulted in a variety of appropriate dress codes for both men and women.
The workplace dress codes are not just any code. They portray the atmosphere and culture of
that organization. Moreover, the code indirectly (non-verbal) tells you about the standards and
expectation of the employer.

Thus, for an employer, it is very important to write down a specific set of guidelines in the
form of a policy for the employees. This helps in rectifying any inappropriate clothing of the
employee in the workplace.

1. Consider the work culture

As an employer, you always want your firm and employees to maintain the standard of your
organization. Thus, it is vital to identify and set down your expectations. However, before
laying down your expectations, consider the level of comfort for your employees and the
clients. If you have rich clients visiting your firm on a regular basis then you might want your
staff to look perfectly professional. Thus, consider your work culture.

2. Provide the need for the dress code (possible accidents)

Rules are made to break however, if you let your employees know about the possible accidents
that might occur on violating the dress code. For example, your firm is an industry that produces
a food item. People working manually or through the machine in your industry need to tie their
hair properly, wear gloves, and appropriate fit clothes. Thus, when you mention these in your
expected dress code, give them a reason to follow. Loose hair may fall into the food item and
degrade the quality and trust of your consumer. Moreover, loose clothing or fancy accessories
may be stuck into some machine and cause machine failure or accidents.

3. Mention the expected standards

Expected standards are not based out of blue. The first step in creating a policy is that you
understand the required standard yourself. However, it is equally important for your employees
to know the standards too. Thus, when you jot down the standards make sure to get your facts
and ideologies through the other end of the table. Once they are aware of your standards and
expectation, they will make sure that they do not let you down (hopefully). That is what ideal
employees do.
4. Perfect professional grooming guidance
What tips would you like to give to your employees? Would those tips maintain the standards
of your organization? Well, once you have the answers to your above question then lay them
down in your dress code policy. You can give tips to the females like toning down on make-up
and avoiding glittery strokes. Similarly, for men you can advise on avoiding funky accessories
like huge rings, etc. Moreover, do not forget the odor problem and try to target it in the policy
too. Ask them to make sure to stick with professionalism of the workplace.

5. Make sure your policy is equal to all

This is an essential step in making a policy. You may create a policy according to the way you
want, however, make sure to check and proofread it as soon as it is completed. Your policy
may take your company down if it is subject to any racial, cast, colour, creed or gender
discrimination. Avoid being a part of such issues or they may seriously destroy your reputation.
Now that you have the perfect policy, let us look at the advantages of implementing it in your
workplace. A workplace has a diverse range of employees, whose opinion and choices may
vary. Thus, the following advantages may not apply uniformly.

Dress Codes in the Workplace Pros:

The advantages of dress codes in the workplace are as follows:

1. Clarifies the expectation of employer

Clarifying the expectations of the employer is very important. This helps the employees to stick

to the standards of the organization. Moreover, it eliminates the possible confusion and

dissimilarity between two employees of the same group.

For example, if your company is a bit casual but you want it to look professional; your
guidelines of the dress code will make it possible for you. Moreover, it creates a sense of
seriousness towards the work, which casual clothes can never do.
2. Motivation and uniformity
This feeling of unison motivates and encourages the employees to work with more dedication.
Moreover, it throws away the procrastinating feelings. As a result, it maintains an active and
professional environment in the workplace. An industry that produces or makes items requires
certain guidance regarding the dress code, keeping in mind the safety of the employees. This
is one of the objectives of the policy.

For example, in a food factory, gloves are mandatory as they protect the quality of the
production by reducing germs through hands. This ensures safety of the employees as well as
the consumer. Moreover, prohibited dresses are also based on the very objective of safety (of
women). Less revealing attire, decrease the odds of possible harassment or seduction. It is a
common thing for all of us to think for a good few minutes (hours for some) before deciding
on a dress. Similarly, although some employees may protest against the dress code, however,
it saves the time of the employees on a whole. Moreover, they do not have to think about
whether they look excessively casual or excessively formal, as they are just following the dress
code.

3. Creates Professionalism and team spirit

Being less active or laid back towards work can put the career at stake. However, new
employees or recent graduate may not understand the deficit of such clothing. Dress coding
helps the employees to look professional.

Moreover, it increases the productivity of the employee and the team spirit. Due to uniformity,
employees are able to work with each other without having an inferiority complex (due to
financial background).

4. Confidence booster
Having similar dress code may boost the confidence of the employees. For example, if you are
the owner of the restaurant, you constantly interact with your customers. As a result, your
employees need to look smart in front of the customers. They should look like they belong to
the restaurant. Moreover, this creates a good impression in front of the customers too.
Cons of anything are always accompanying the pros. Similarly, dress codes may have various
advantages but the idea has certain drawbacks too. These limitations vary according to the
culture of the workplace. Let us look at these shortcomings.

1. Uniformity makes everything boring

Uniform at school made everyone feel equal. However, in the office making everyone wear the
same type of clothes may turn the things boring for them. May be that is the reason colleges do
not have any uniform. Moreover, it affects the work efficiency of the employees too.

2. Expensive and complicated can be a turn-off

The most commonly faced problem by all employees is that not everyone can buy the required
clothing (unless the company pays for the dress code). Moreover, a complicated dress code can
consume most of the time in preparing.

3. Shuns down the creativity of the employee

Dresses show the persona of the person. The ways you dress also shows the confidence and
creativity of the employee. However, creating a dress code shuns down the creativity of the
employees. Moreover, they lose the freedom to express their views and creativity. Dress code
indirectly creates a barrier in productivity. As regardless of the promotion or position, they are
stuck with the same dress code as their junior.

4. Arises discomfort for some

Not everyone is comfortable with attire you chose. Discomfort may lead to problems such as
lack of productivity, non-cooperation on the part of the employees, less efficiency in work, etc.
These problems are mainly for those who are not accustomed to the formals.

For example, your dress code includes suit, shirt-pant, tie, etc however, the employee is used
to wearing business casual dresses or jeans then initially the change will bring discomfort for
everyone.