Get advice on how to deal with jerks at work Check out the book 'Jerks At Work' and other titles by Ken Lloyd Ph.D. Return to the JerksAtWork.com homepage Learn more about Ken Lloyd, Ph.D. Submit a question to Ken Lloyd, Ph.D.
 

Dress Code

Here are the questions filed under this category. To read Ken's advice on any item, click on the link "Read Ken's Answer."


Our company has a casual dress code, and each day it seems to be getting even more ridiculous. Several of my female co-workers are wearing attire that is far too revealing. Our manager has not said a word about this. Should I say something?
Read Ken's Answer

I am a volunteer for a public citizens' group. One of the rules is a dress code for male members to wear a coat and tie at all formal functions. One of our members began wearing a T-shirt at the formal meetings. Several of our members asked him to uphold our dress code or resign, but he has done neither. His attitude is that he didn't care how it looked or what we thought. Our foreperson wants nothing to do with the problem and ignores it. How can this issue be handled?
Read Ken's Answer

I am going for a job interview at a high tech company. The attire there is pretty casual, but I am wondering if I should wear a tie to the interview.
Read Ken's Answer

We have casual dress days every Friday, but I am reluctant to wear casual attire because I feel that, as a female, we tend to diminish our stature when we dress casually, while the same does not seem to apply to males. My associates tell me that I am wrong about this. What do you think?
Read Ken's Answer

I am a region manager in a company that employs a fair number of women in outside sales. Each winter and summer, we have sales meetings. This past winter, there was a noticeable amount of cleavage on display from a group of women, including their female manager. The company solicits feedback on these meetings, and several comments were made regarding this display, including some from other women. The same problem occurred in our summer sales meetings last week. I don't believe the company has a formal dress code. What do you suggest?
Read Ken's Answer

One of our better sales reps showed up today wearing an earring in his ear. He is the only male in the company with one, and I don't think it's appropriate attire. We don't have a policy on this, but we expect employees to show reasonable judgment in this area. What should I say to him?
Read Ken's Answer

Our company has a dress code that prohibits so-called revealing attire, but my manager ignores it. However, she just told my clothes violate the policy. When I told her that hers do too, she told me that her attire is not my concern, and she sent me home to change. Should I report this to her manager?
Read Ken's Answer

I am a department manager in an organization that allows the employees to "dress down" on Fridays. There is no written policy in this area, and many employees are wearing clothes that are inappropriate for work. Lately some of our customers have made comments. How do I deal with this?
Read Ken's Answer

Our company has a dress code requiring all employees to dress “business casual.” The policy says nothing else. When I wore a top that revealed my midriff, my manager said not to wear it again because it is not business casual. If the policy is for employees to refrain from wearing this type of apparel, it should say so. Please advise.
Read Ken's Answer

Our company has a vague dress code. It has no listing of inappropriate apparel, but only a statement that attire is supposed to be casual yet appropriate for business. I have been told twice that my clothing is not appropriate, but I thought it was okay. If there are certain items that the company does not want the employees to wear, why not spell them out in the dress code policy?
Read Ken's Answer