Employee Visitor's Dress Code

pattyo · April 2009

I need advice on how to handle this! We are an agent in the Insurance industry. Our office is somewhat informal but professional. We have a dress code which our employees need to comply with which prohibits large tattoos and piercings. The husband of one of our employees comes in to the office occasionally and is dressed in grubby shorts, has many many obvious tattoos on his arms and legs and very obvious piercings on his face. He doesn't stay for a long time but while he is here it is disconcerting to some of our clients. Upper management hasn't commented on this yet but I'm anticipating that it will come up.

Can I tell this employee that she must meet her husband in the building lobby instead of him coming up to the office or would that be out of line? Other employees have spouses or children come up but dress code isn't a problem.

NaeNae55 · April 2009

Wow! What a good question! I have not had this come up, though I do remember walking into the lobby years ago to hear the receptionist tell her daughter-in-law to never come up there looking like a slut again.

Technically the spouse does not work for you. However, I have heard of terminating an employee when their spouse came to the office and behaved badly. This probably runs along the same line. Do you allow clients in the offices? What if they dress poorly?

pattyo · April 2009

That's pretty funny! Actually, we don't have a dress code problem like this with our clients. Brokers may dress a little quirky but nothing like this. In our business, we don't really deal with the public, it is mainly the broker who is signed with us and looking for benefits for a group or individual.

I am just not sure how to define my uneasiness in establishing a dress code for employees' visitors who are mostly family members and who are just dropping in.

This particular employee has large tattoos on her leg but she wears pants everyday knowing it isn't acceptable. She's a good employee and so I'm sure she doesn't see anything wrong in his appearance and the fact he's just dropping in for a few minutes.

Paul in Cannon Beach · May 2009

You certainly can create a policy for the visitors of your employees. Some companies allow visitors, some don't. I dont think its a stretch to say "if you do have visitors at work, they need to be dressed in a manner that is compatible with our business environment."

I would start by introducing the policy first. Dont single out Mr. Punk Rocker Baggy Shorts. Just introduce the policy and explain why its important to maintain a very positive environment.

I wouldnt prohibit facial piercings and tattoos however. I think that's going to far.

NaeNae55 · May 2009

I agree with Paul that you can establish such a dress code. I am not sure I would do it though. I guess it depends on how often the spouse is there and how many people are offended.

We have at least 2 employees whose family members could dress better before they come. One is in construction, but I don't know what the other one does. When he comes he looks like something out of a biker movie. However, they don't come very often (once or twice a year) so we don't worry about it.

KSR6450 · May 2009

How would you enforce this policy? Not allow the visitor onto the premises unless they 'pass muster'? The Navy/USAF Bases we went to had dress codes when I was little, if your skirt/shorts were above the end of the tips of your fingers (with your arms at your side) - you couldn't enter. They no longer have these rules.

I am with Nae, I wouldn't make it a [B]policy[/B]. Maybe just send out a nice memo and 'request' certain attire.

We have some customers/visitors who should dress better. One is a friend from high school. She married very well, and her husband is one of our valued customers, but she dresses a bit, um, provacatively. She had a 'wardrobe malfunction' in the middle of our lobby one day. The men didn't mind, but the women were horrified. I understand your dilemma but question how enforceable this policy would be. How would you handle someone who didn't dress appropriately and may have been unaware of the policy (someone who just drops in). Would they be escorted out of the building? This may be more of a headache for you than it is worth.

pattyo · May 2009

Thank you. It's been hard enough being dress code patrol because we are somewhat informal --- I'm sure you understand how people will push the envelope as far as they can. It usually just takes one person then I have to establish some kind of policy or send out an e-mail.

After reading all your suggestions, I think I will send out my annual dress code reminder (since it's getting hot again in Phoenix) and I can also include the verbage Paul in Cannon Beach suggested ~~~ "if you do have visitors at work, they need to be dressed in a manner that is compatible with our business environment."

Thanks everyone!

Paul in Cannon Beach · May 2009

Don't you love what you get to do in HR?

pattyo · May 2009

HAHA! Yes, I get to do all the things no one else wants to do....

Thanks again.

davids · May 2009

I can understand asking the visitor to leave if he/she has been there for an excessively long time, no matter how the visitor is dressed. So, if the issue is the visitor hanging around while others are trying to work, address that issue. However, I would not ask the visitor to leave just because I didn't like the attire. Visitors have the potential of becoming clients. Would you refuse to service a client or potential client because the person had tattoos? Would you ask a copier repairman (for example) to leave because he had piercings? Perhaps your policy needs to limit how long a visitor can spend in the workplace, not their attire or grooming.

Employee Visitor's Dress Code

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