HR Guide to Casual Dress Codes in the Workplace

Once upon a time, wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and a baseball cap to the office was frowned upon, but in many modern work environments, comfortable clothing has become commonplace. But just because you’ve adopted a casual dress code for your work environment, doesn’t mean that you’ve adopted a casual work ethic.

Why You Should Talk to Employees About the Dress Code

Every employee is an individual with their own personal belief system, and that belief system may be reflected in their clothing. Problems arise when employees who don’t share the same beliefs become distracted or offended by something someone else is wearing.

If you haven’t set any boundaries with your employees regarding dress code, then this situation could escalate into an ugly conversation that will be challenging to handle. (In fact, if you need help redirecting polarizing conversations, we recently covered the topic.)

So, in the latest episode of HR Party of One—BerniePortal’s popular podcast and YouTube series—Elisabeth explains how to navigate a casual workplace dress code. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how you can create a comfortable workplace for your employees while preserving the integrity and professionalism of your brand.

Additional Resources

You can stay informed, educated, and up-to-date on important HR topics with BerniePortal’s comprehensive resources:

• BerniePortal Blog—a one-stop-shop for HR industry news
• HR Glossary—featuring the most common HR terms, acronyms, and compliance
• HR Guides—essential pillars, covering an extensive list of comprehensive HR topics
• BernieU—free online HR courses, approved for SHRM and HRCI recertification credit