I work at a small law firm and the staff has been dressing very unprofessionally while at the office.

28 Comments

1. KristinNovember 11,2022 at 10:02PM UTC

   Is there a dress code in writing somewhere?

2. Shanita Taylor BSIS, BSc (Psyc), M.A.E.LNovember 11,2022 at 10:32PM UTC

   See if they already have one and go from there. HR may have something on hand if you are not HR. You can always Google an example of a law firm's dress code/policy.

3. Cyndi RosenblattNovember 11,2022 at 10:46PM UTC

   We appreciate the hard work everyone has been contributing to our success. With the uncertainties of the past <however long the dress code hasn't been enforced> we have been lenient on office norms, including the dress code. As the work environment has returned to standard operations, it's time for us to return to the level of professionalism our clients expect. Accordingly, the office dress code will be enforced beginning <date>. The existing/updated dress code is attached/listed below for reference. If you have any questions or concerns related to this expectation, please reach out to <designated contact/direct supervisor> for clarification.

   Note: be prepared for pushback, either because people have gotten used to a more casual standard or because lower-paid staff may have trouble meeting the dress code. Even if they had a professional wardrobe pre-covid, if they've lost or gained weight they may be faced with purchasing an entirely new wardrobe. Recommend you set timelines accordingly.

   Good luck!

4. AnonymousNovember 11,2022 at 11:08PM UTC

   Find an article that you think appropriately addresses the dress code. Craft an email and run it by HR for a final check, then send. Try not to sound too targeted while bringing up examples. But also state consequences, i.e sending employees home

5. Jackie RukaNovember 12,2022 at 1:30AM UTC

   Is there’s an employee handbook?

   If so, update it to reflect business casual I.e slacks, buttons down, collared shirts, skirts, dresses, collared blouses, blazers and jackets.

   And let people know of the revised and updated dress code, effective x, y, z.

   No: t- shirts, dresses above the knee, no sleeve tops, sneakers, mid-riff tops, shorts, jeans and denim. Etc.

   ( spell it out without calling out)

   Amazingly, some people do not know what business casual actually entails!

6. Erica MitchellNovember 12,2022 at 5:28PM UTC

   I would start off by saying "while we value individuality here at *law firm*, we still need to keep our attire professional and follow the dress code...." then explain what the dress code is, etc. Hope this helps!

7. TheodoraNovember 13,2022 at 1:35PM UTC

   Taken straight from my company:

   A friendly reminder about our dress code policy.

   At “said company”, we encourage our employees to dress comfortably in business casual attire.

   Employees should use their best judgment to dress with professionalism and not wear anything that would make other employees uncomfortable.

   Clothing should not include profanity or appear distracting or revealing.

   Due to frequent visits from customers and outside business partners, we expect our employees to dress appropriately at all times.

   Thank you for your cooperation.

8. Ally MorganNovember 13,2022 at 2:55PM UTC

   This seems too vague. The employees are already using their best judgment on what to wear.

9. Coach Nancie Kay ShumanNovember 13,2022 at 7:35PM UTC

   Actually, the dress code at GM has is, “Dress appropriately.” I would say that the employees which are under discussion in this thread are not using their discernment as to what is appropriate for the job and the position, but simply what they want to wear based upon their feelings that day or moment.

10. AnonymousNovember 13,2022 at 2:00PM UTC

    Read “smart brevity”. I cannot recommend this book enough. It’s 3 hrs when listing to an audio book. best advice in it - “use real words, and just say it.” - or rather - how I like it- “be brief, be bright, and be gone”- it’s a great guide for formulating statements and not fluff.

11. AnonymousNovember 13,2022 at 2:28PM UTC

    First of all their dress vs.

    their perceived "professionalism" (work ethic) are two very different things that are not to be conflated.
    Dress code violations are CODE OF CONDUCT issues that are not the same as work habit, and work related issues.
    If someone feels uncomfortable for example, by the attire of an employee who is always a stellar productive worker, then the issue is first a conduct, not always professionalism but it could be both. The two rarely intersect unless of course their attire is seuxally harassing. [edited for clarity]

    Addressing it is within the conduct guideliness of the small firm and has to be backed up by consistency all across the board from owners to managers to staff.

    In the not so distant past, hair styles (including color)-- particularly for those with darker skin color, and also things like body art (such as piercings and tattoos), even body shapes (overweight vs thinner) were used as a lack of professionalism ---when in fact these may be conduct issues if they harass others (such as a racist tattoo) -- or they mean absolutely zero/nothing and are not a problem but a way for people who are not comfortable with someone's individuality being expressed.
    *************If it's the latter, then the actual harassment would be for someone to conflate professionalism with their own biases, and then not address one's own issues with their bias and promptly unpacking it in therapy.

12. AnonymousNovember 13,2022 at 3:10PM UTC

    How do you know that the client was “visibility uncomfortable?”

    Wouldn’t it be better to say that you feel it’s unprofessional rather than project onto the client?

13. Cathy HornsbyNovember 14,2022 at 1:45AM UTC

    Unfortunately, some folks have different perspectives on what is unprofessional attire in the work place.

14. AnonymousNovember 13,2022 at 3:23PM UTC

    This person works at a small law firm so in all likelihood, there is no HR (or why would she be tasked with writing the email?) and there is no written company policy or code of conduct.

15. Cynthia Armistead NewmanNovember 13,2022 at 5:10PM UTC

    I'd start by establishing and informing employees of a dress code if there isn't one already. If there is one, send out a communication reminding people of it and stating that it will be strictly enforced as of the next day. Then, of course, someone has to be responsible for that enforcement.

    Make sure that the dress code applies to male and female-presenting people equally, though. When I worked in offices with dress codes, most of them had FAR more to say about feminine dress than masculine dress.

16. Cathy HornsbyNovember 14,2022 at 1:43AM UTC

    It has historically been females choice in work wear that has made our clients 'uncomfortable'. It is often easy to read that people are visibly uncomfortable with the staff's attire.

17. AnonymousNovember 14,2022 at 8:14PM UTC

    Cathy can you cite some specific examples please.

18. AnonymousNovember 13,2022 at 5:14PM UTC

    I had this problem at the last place I worked, and the dress code was jeans and t-shirts casual.
    I put a memo together for both men and women that specified how much legs and arms could be exposed (covered from shoulders to below knees) and the type of shoes required (low heel, close-toed). It also included rips in the jeans (none above the knee), and any print or advertising could not contain profanity, politics, alcohol, drugs, or potentially objectionable material (including religious). Dressing appropriately for a position that is not overdressing (when it is important to the clientele) should be part of every company's policies, regardless of size. Our clientele was generally homeless and working poor, so "too dressy" was likely worse than "too sloppy." I would stay away from generalities (like "professional," "casual," or "business casual") unless you define them with examples (types of shirts, pants, shoes, etc.) If possible, keep it gender-neutral, and if you get push-back that women need to wear dresses, ask, "why?" [edited to add] Be sensitive in setting a timeline for implementing and enforcing the policy that some may not have clothes that meet the dress code and will need time to afford and buy them.

19. AnonymousNovember 14,2022 at 2:37PM UTC

    Agree on the last one especially- some employees may call in "poor" if the demand to start dressing up is beyond their means. We have to remember people are still reluctant if not refusing to come back to the office due to Covid concerns. Why give them more reasons to feel judged or pre-judged?

    Also, the issue of clients should not be an issue. A former office manager I had insisted on business attire when we had visitors and/or name partners from our headquarters, but could care less the rest of the time. The arbitrary nature of this policy encourages employees to not take it seriously. And the rules re sending people home are ridiculous- this is work, not school- why do we need to get "sent to the principal's office?" If the way I dress impedes my ability to do my job then by all means a discussion can happen.

20. AnonymousNovember 14,2022 at 10:28PM UTC

    Regarding - sending home: Unfortunately, because some of our clients were sex offenders and the people (both women) showed up with "too much skin" showing, I did not have much choice. Once, I found something in our clothes closet we used for clients that fit the person. Another time it was "go home and change, take PTO, or take a day off without pay" since we didn't have anything she could or would wear.

    I agree with being arbitrary (i.e., one code for when we expect clients or company dignitaries and more relaxed otherwise). When I worked under that dress code, it never failed that someone would break the dress code on a wrong day and in front of the wrong person.

21. AnonymousNovember 13,2022 at 5:48PM UTC

    do an online search for dress code templates as a place to start, make sure that your standards are equivalent for men vs women (far too many dress codes spend way too much time policing how the women look!), make it reasonable and understandable - and simple!

22. (redacted)November 13,2022 at 6:26PM UTC

    In direct response to your question, I think sharing the adoption/reaffirmation of the dress code in response to client complaints is adequate (and conveys the significance of the issue.) I also think you should make sure it's clear what happens if someone doesn't adhere to the dress code (sent home to change, sent home for the day unpaid, etc.)

    So our firm (financial services) rolled out a "dress for your day" policy (with examples) that I think might be applicable.

    1) business suit when it's a client expectation, expectations are unknown, or meeting a product partner who also wears professional attire

    2) Blazer or jacket while leading regional Zoom call

    3) Sleeved blouse and tailored capri pants when attending regional luncheon

    4) Slacks, sweater, and a collard shirt when greeting a client at the office

    5) Denim jeans and a long-sleeved button-down or polo shirt on days when there are no appointments scheduled with clients

    Standard guidance that clothes should be clean and free from tears, holes, frays, and excessive wrinkles. It's never okay to wear clothes with inappropriate language, poor fit, low cut, sheer, strapless or thinly strapped tops, shorts, beachwear, exercise/yoga attire, sleepwear, flip flops, beach sandals, athletic shoes, or fashion hats.

    They provide details on business, business casual, and smart denim.

23. Jennifer KlinkoNovember 13,2022 at 7:48PM UTC

    Who still uses the words slacks and capri pants?

24. (redacted)November 15,2022 at 5:20PM UTC

    …I copied and pasted. This comment is incredibly unhelpful for OP.

    Also. What would you call a pair of capris other than just that? Cropped pants? Clam diggers?

25. VerityNovember 16,2022 at 8:52PM UTC

    I call them three-quarter (3/4) length trousers XD but yes, you have a point.

26. VerityNovember 13,2022 at 7:06PM UTC

    [greeting],

    It has become apparent that everyone’s attire is slowly becoming more relaxed and so we feel the need to remind you all of the company’s dress code and the standards that are expected.

    By maintaining a professional look, you are helping us improve our overall company image and are allowing clients to feel like we are trustworthy of their business. [possibly extend on the last few words here if you wish]

    So, please take a look at the attachment connected to this email and ensure that your outfits follow our guidance. [or you could place the dress code here, whatever is best]

    If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact [details].

    Thank you for your cooperation,
    [sign off]

27. Leah StranathanNovember 14,2022 at 1:27PM UTC

    Now I'm wondering what should we call them! I had a couple of cute outfits in mind.

28. AnonymousNovember 18,2022 at 11:02PM UTC

    Lots of great advice here. I would address polo shirts and t-shirts. I've worked at companies that allowed polo shirts and but not t-shirts, and there was always push back on that. My previous employer didn't allow any clothing with the company logo on it, which was . . . different.