Dress Code

SanDee · May 2003

I have a young employee who has a figure I could only hope to achieve in my next life time and dresses to show off that figure. The attire is not "professional" but doesn't truly violate any policy. Does anybody have a thought on how to define the difference between professional and bimbo? And how to we approach the issue politically?

Trinity · May 2003

Hello SanDee,
I have a couple of questions. If it doesn't truly violate any policy, then how is it inappropriate? What I guess I mean to ask is does she have more "curves" which tend to be shown off more in certain shirts or something? Reason I am asking is that we have some girls like that and while they are not wearing spaghetti strap bustiers or mini-skirts, they still look, well provacative. In our policy we address tight clothing as well as stuff that shows skin. Basically, if a manager can see your bra or underwear through the shirt, then it's too tight and you need to wear something looser to the office. Other than that though, fact is that there are some figures that are going to look like a million bucks in a potato sack and while we may not like it somewhat, we just have to live with it.( And eat a gallon of ice cream for comfort) ;;)

Balloonman · May 2003

SanDee,
Send me some pics of these young ladies and I will be better able to give you input. Challenging area, had it bounced around in a previous life with one young lady that looked sexy in anything she wore, I was just glad she did not work for me. x:D
My $0.02 worth.
DJ The Balloonman

SanDee · May 2003

Thanks for your response. Provacative is probably a good description. At times there is midriff showing. Most often the complaint is the tightness of the clothes. She is a cute girl and very intelligent but I fear people are not admiring her intelligence. It may be that we will have to write policy regarding your suggestions that seeing undergarments is not acceptable. Thanks again. sdp

Parabeagle · May 2003

Why don't I ever get to deal with problems like this??? =P~

Trinity · May 2003

Boys..try to control yourselves.../:)

Don D · May 2003

The boys have taken over this thread! I just had a brief conversation with the high school 'girl' we have here as a co-op each afternoon. She just made cheerleader, is in the 11th grade and has a twin sister who just won Miss Madison County Teen. This girl wears the tightest jeans I have ever witnessed on a live human being, cut really low, with tops that end somewhere about 3 inches short of her belt line, if I am properly describing that. If you can get the picture, you are correct that this assemblage of cloth leaves a bare 3 inch midriff. She also has an Ipana smile and an assortment of colored underwear, if that's what it's called, that is obvious daily. I know she comes straight here from school and am amazed that they allow that at school nowadays. I am afraid one of these engineers or even an HR guy is going to hurt himself running into a water cooler or wall one day if I don't correct this immediately. I am serious about this but do not want to offend her or embarass her. I think of what my own daughter would say if I had this same conversation with HER. She would say something like, "Daadddddyyyy, you are soooo old fashioned and anal." I am considering having one of the ladies in the building handle this task. I will be terribly unpopular once the word gets out that I'm the culprit! I sense that the honeymoon is over here.

HRsage · May 2003

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 05-06-03 AT 04:34PM (CST)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 05-06-03 AT 04:34 PM (CST)[/font]

This is what happens when youngsters get their career advice from music videos and magazines. I deal with this on an ongoing basis (retail in sunny Southern CA encourages it I suppose) We've modified our dress code to eliminate any bare midriff and outfits that provide minimum coverage. Also skirts and dresses should be at a fingertip length.
It's just too vague to say professional attire these days. Some misinterpret it to mean the other type of "pro".
Now, for the original post- it should depend on how your policy is stated. If it simply says professional attire then you may want to add to it and outlaw tight clothes and other head turners, and give examples of what is exceptable.

Right now I'm dealing with a young lady that is adhering to the dress code but she is just buying things in the wrong sizes. As Don would say, "she's trying to put 10 pounds of potatoes in a 5 pound sack." Her top isn't meant to be showing midriff it just isn't strong enough to hold the tummy back. I'm trying to come up with a tactful way for her manager to address the situation.

Edit: I just realized I used the word "youngsters". That's almost as bad as "whipper-snappers".

Parabeagle · May 2003

Don't start to worry until you hear yourself use the phrase, "by cracky!"

valentine · May 2003

We have a posted dress code with examples of the types of clothing not to be worn such as jeans of no kind, including jean skirts. No tee shirts. No spagetti straps or tight clothing, mini skirts, etc. It pretty much spells things out clearly so we haven't had much problem. If an ee comes in wearing something provocative they are sent home to change.

Don D · May 2003

I don't wear a skirt, normally; but if I understand HRSage's comment about dresses being fingertip length, I just stood up and held my finger tips down and that would be a miniskirt. What am I missing?

Whatever · May 2003

re: what am I missing? If a mini-skirt, nothing

WOCO Frank · May 2003

I have what I consider to be a fairly straightforward dress code with little room for ambiguity. My problem is, the worst offender is one of the owners. 40 years old, 5'5", 200 lbs, in mini-skirts and plunging necklines.

Cindy Hanna · May 2003

Yikes!!! xflash

Rockie · May 2003

>I have what I consider to be a fairly straightforward dress code with
>little room for ambiguity. My problem is, the worst offender is one of
>the owners. 40 years old, 5'5", 200 lbs, in mini-skirts and plunging
>necklines.

Now...that's attractive!

HRsage · May 2003

Don, my fingertips only go to the center of my thigh also. I guess whoever came up with the fingertip policy in my company had some really long arms.

valentine · May 2003

I guess it depends on how long your fingers are.

:-)

SMace · May 2003

Parabeagle,
I laughed about that comment all day, even while I was driving home. Your are a hoot.

lorrie · May 2003

I have this problem with my own teenage daughters. I am amazed at what the schools allow also. It would make my job easier if they would enforce a dress code!

The basic dress code for my teenage daughters: Don't show cleavage, cracks, or underwear of any kind.

Work codes should be similar (although a more professional description would be appropriate.)

Zanne · May 2003

Oh the perennial problem of dress code.

We have cute (and curvy)college age kids and they don't understand why we prohibit midriff shirts, hip huggers, and spagetti strap tops. I have been called an "old fogey" (Didn't think that was appropriate since I am still a few months shy of 40) and "out of touch."

Now, since it's getting warmer here, we now are fighting the battle of Capri pants. Don't get me wrong, Capri pants are cute, fun, and I even own a pair. However, they are not appropriate for a bank except for casual day. Which, by the way, when did casual day become an "entitlement" to workers?

I think the manager needs to discuss with the employee that in whatever business, the tight clothes are unacceptable and she will be sent home next time the clothes are deemed "too tight". It may end up being somewhat subjective - but as long as the manager treats everyone the same, I think it's appropriate.

You just don't want dislocated necks on the other workers AND time wasted by gossiping about the outfit.

Zanne

Leslie · May 2003

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 05-07-03 AT 01:06PM (CST)[/font][p]Our policy and procedure addresses professional standard for the environment in which one works (neat, clean, pressed, safety standards adhered to, in uniform where required, yadda, yadda, yadda) - which is real subjective considering I "HR" for everything from a mining operation to a casino. However policy for all does state:

Specifically not permitted:

a. Revealing attire
b. Tight-fitting attire
c. Overly baggy attire
d. Shorts, unless part of uniform
e. Sandals in areas where open toe presents a safety hazard
f. T-shirts, tank tops, spaghetti strapped tops and halter tops
g. Mini-skirts
h. Jogging/sweat suits
i. Exposed midriffs

Catholic uniform standards were the skirt had to sweep the ground if you're kneeling on the floor. Course that was more years ago than I care to admit, so guess I'm a fuddy-duddy too!

SanDee · May 2003

Thanks for the policy. San Dee

Tony Starks · May 2003

What's the most tactful way to approach ladies who are a bit paunchy? We have several young ladies who may be a little over-confident about their bodies and imitate their leaner counter-parts. Should they be approached the same way? They are following our business casual dress code but appear to wear clothing that's a bit too tight and inadvertantly revealing.

Whirlwind · May 2003

>What's the most tactful way to approach ladies who are a bit paunchy?

What about a tactful way to approcah the paunchy men? We have several men among our management staff who insist on wearing shirts (including dress shirts) that fit them 20-40 lbs ago, and their paunches strain at the buttons so threateningly that we all fear for our eyesight. The women (and the one token svelte male) have joked about wearing safety goggles to meetings, but I suspect the sublety would be lost on them.

SanDee · May 2003

You are absolutely right about that. We have spent an inordinate amount of time trying to come up with a solution. This is my first question to the forum and I appreciate everyone's response. Thanks, San Dee

bamahr · May 2003

I have several female employees who come to work with capri pants, short skirts, sleeveless tops, and sit with their space heaters on because they are cold.

Go Figure

Whatever · May 2003

Do you air condition in summer? If so, do they still turn on the heaters?

WOCO Frank · May 2003

>>What's the most tactful way to approach ladies who are a bit paunchy?

I just have maintenance come in during the night and move the arms on their desk chairs a bit closer together.

Tony Starks · May 2003

>>>What's the most tactful way to approach ladies who are a bit paunchy?
>
>I just have maintenance come in during the night and move the arms on
>their desk chairs a bit closer together.

0=* That is hilarious WOCO! However, they were given armless chairs to begin with because they preferred them - go 'figure'. Perhaps I need to implement a wellness program instead.

Don D · May 2003

My new employer has a fitness center and total gym upstairs. Except the stairs, and there are 33 steps, go almost straight up at a 70 degree angle and most of the staff can't even get up them.

WOCO Frank · May 2003

It's easier to get them up the stairs if you put a smoking lounge halfway up.

Dress Code

Comments