Why is it helpful to have a dress code?

Some businesses require a dress code as part of health and safety regulations. In some workplaces, certain types of attire are required for operational or safety reasons. For example, some healthcare roles involve specific clothing requirements set by employers or regulatory bodies. However, even in cases where a dress code is not required, a uniform or smart attire can still make an excellent impression on your customers or clients. However, it is also true that expectations around what employees may look like in the workplace and therefore how they may dress are changing. Both employees and customers alike are increasingly expecting a more relaxed dress code. One study showed that 61% of employees feel more productive at work when they can dress more casually. 

What dress code is right for my employees?

Some items of clothing are considered more formal than others. Clothing that is considered more informal includes shorts, t-shirts, or shirts with brightly coloured patterns. Customers and clients can also perceive colours as formal or informal. Some workplaces associate bright colours with more informal styles, while darker or muted tones may be viewed as more traditional. These perceptions can vary across industries.

Workplaces in the UK are becoming more and more relaxed about their dress codes. More businesses are allowing their employees to come into work wearing jeans or trainers, even when working in an office environment. Some workplaces allow their employees to dye their hair or display their tattoos. Some organisations ask remote employees to wear formal attire during meetings with senior staff or clients. However, for the rest of the working day, you might allow them to choose which clothes they wear.

Business casual

Business casual allows your employees to dress in a more modern rather than traditional way. With this type of dress code, your employees will look smart and professional without having to wear a full suit. This is a more comfortable option than coming into work in a suit every day, and therefore many employees will prefer casual business clothing. It also allows them to bring more of their style into their workwear. This type of dress code also helps your employees to save money in the long term. This is because purchasing multiple suits may not be an affordable option to them.

When should my employees wear a suit or formalwear?

Requiring your employees to wear a suit is a more popular choice in corporate office environments, especially for employees who are lawyers, solicitors, bankers or consultants. Even so, you still may not require these types of employees to wear a suit every day. You might only require your employees to wear suits during meetings with clients or senior employees. Employees might need to wear suits during their orientation period. Formal clothing as an alternative to suits may include the following items of clothing:

• suit trousers
• smart skirt
• black or brown formal shoes
• blouse
• shirt
• tie.

Modern businesses in the UK do not require their female employees to wear smart skirts or heels. Requiring female employees to wear heels, makeup or skirts may go against the Equality Act 2010. Past legal cases have considered whether requiring specific gender-based attire could give rise to discrimination concerns. Outcomes depend on the particular circumstances reviewed by a court or tribunal. You may offer the option of choosing between a formal skirt or trousers based on an employee’s personal preferences.

Branded clothing

You might choose for your staff to wear a branded uniform or branded accessories. This can help define the image of your brand. It can also help improve its reputation with customers. It may also help your employees to feel part of their team, and improve their confidence especially if it is comfortable, modern and a good fit. When your employees feel part of the bigger picture of your business, they are less likely to leave, which in turn reduces staff turnover. Having your staff wear a company uniform also means they are easier to locate in a busy store by customers.

Protective clothing

Some roles involve operational or safety requirements, and employers in those settings may specify protective clothing or accessories. It is important to consider how visible your employees are if they are working at night. Some roles involve handling hazardous substances, operating heavy machinery or working at heights, and employers in those settings often specify appropriate protective clothing or accessories.

How to establish a dress code in your HR policy

Once you have identified what clothing is appropriate for employees, organisations often outline this in their company policy and communicate it through HR channels. You might also choose to talk about dress code with employees during their orientation, or in their interview.

Make sure that your dress code is presented in a place that is easy for employees to find. This could be in a code of conduct or company policy manual. If you are planning to instigate any changes to your employee dress code, state this information in a place that is also easy to find. You may choose to discuss this in an email, or during a meeting with your employees. Employees may find workplace attire expectations unclear when information is difficult to locate or inconsistently communicated.

Some surveys indicate that employees may sometimes find office attire expectations unclear or challenging, depending on sector and company culture. The same survey also suggested that a fifth of women and nearly a quarter of men have been called out for coming into work wearing clothing that doesn’t comply with the dress code. Terms like “business casual” can be vague. Therefore, it is recommended that if you plan to have a business casual dress code, you may want to clarify what this means for your company so employees have a clear understanding.

Generations and how to look at the workplace

Different age groups will have a different idea of what is expected of their dress in the workplace. Younger generations may be used to working remotely, or in an office where the dress code is very relaxed. According to one study, 57% of Millennials and 58% of Generation Z employees thought that if a business had a casual dress code, they would enjoy working there more. It can be helpful to clarify for newer employees what your company considers formal attire.

On the other hand, older employees may be less comfortable or familiar with a casual dress code. They might interpret business casual to mean smart, traditional clothing with some bright elements and interesting design features.

The UK law surrounding employee dress

Some employees may raise concerns about dress requirements they feel conflict with their protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. How these concerns are assessed depends on the specific situation. Some workplace dress requirements have been considered in past discrimination claims, and outcomes typically depend on the specific circumstances reviewed by a court or tribunal. UK discrimination legislation recognises several protected characteristics, such as religion or belief, sex, age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity.

Employees may raise concerns about dress requirements that they feel conflict with their religious beliefs, which are recognised as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. Any assessment of such concerns would depend on the specific situation.