Relax your dress codes?

Relax your dress codes?

Over the summer months, you might want to consider relaxing a formal dress code to enable staff to feel more comfortable at work. How should you do this?

Control measures. When the thermometer starts to rise over the summer months, it can make workplaces more uncomfortable. Heat is also classed as a hazard and so you should include it in your risk assessment. You should then put control measures in place to manage that hazard and ensure the workplace temperature remains "reasonable" based on your work environment, such as by providing air con units or fans, shading windows, increasing ventilation, etc. One other control measure you could take is to relax a formal dress code. This can be a simple and effective way of improving employees' comfort both in the workplace and when they are commuting in the heat.

Dress code informality. A summer dress code doesn't have to mean complete informality, such as beach shorts, vest tops and flip-flops. You can still insist that employees dress smartly but just that this can be less formal than normal, e.g. "business casual". So, check what your dress and appearance policy currently states and then look at ways in which you could temporarily relax the requirements whilst remaining professional. You might, e.g. allow tailored shorts, chino-style trousers, smart sandals and short-sleeved or polo shirts.

Tip. Relaxing your dress policy might not be appropriate for all roles though, e.g. if staff still need to wear protective clothing for safety reasons or a uniform.

Tip. Advise employees of the temporary relaxation of your dress code, being clear about what clothing is acceptable and what is prohibited and the start and end dates of the relaxed policy. Also, give yourself the flexibility to reinstate formal dress when needed, e.g. for a client meeting. You could do this in a short seasonal email.

Tip. If an employee misjudges the relaxed dress code, handle that informally in the first instance, e.g. by having a quiet word. You could also require them to go home and get changed.

Issue a short guidance email which communicates what clothing is and isn't acceptable and lets employees know when the relaxed dress policy starts and ends. Balance flexibility and comfort with professionalism.