How do I handle employees dressing inappropriately?

Dear Caroline, 

Mine is rather a delicate and urgent issue. Although my workplace chose formal and professional dress codes, a number of employees continue to defy it. Some not only come dressed casually but others even leave their underwear on show. I have sent out communication about proper dressing but they continue to ignore it. I am worried that their actions are giving the company a bad image. What can I do to mitigate this? 
HR

Hello HR,
It’s unfortunate that you are in this situation. While this is a matter that needs to be handled delicately it is also a situation that must be addressed as it has an impact on the organisation and its culture. 

Having a dress code guide in place is helpful, however, the continuous violation of the code by staff is now moving the situation to a space of insubordination. 

In addressing this matter you may want to revisit your company documents, specifically your organisation code of conduct, values and disciplinary code. 

I am not sure what decisions have been made after “having the talk” in case of a “repeat offender”. If nothing was said or done, then that staff member has assumed that it’s okay to continue defying the company dress code. 

You may want to consider group and team discussions in the form of trainings, where the matter is tabled. The backdrop should be the organisation’s brand and image and the values of the organisation, its culture. 

As the staff dress “inappropriately” at work, they need to appreciate they represent the organisation whether they are front-facing with clients or not. It’s important they remember that even within their professional networks, they are a reflection of the organisation.

They are the company ambassador in that network. In the same session, you should remind staff about the organisation’s values and what they mean, together with the agreed code of conduct, which they signed on joining the company.

While we want to treat and manage our colleagues in a professional and respectful manner, the same is required of them. How they manage themselves in the workplace speaks to their attitude towards the company and what the company stands for. 

If after the inhouse sessions this behaviour continues, I would recommend that this be managed through your disciplinary process. 

In many organisations, one of the misconducts includes “ bringing the company into disrepute and damaging the reparation and brand of the company”. I suspect that once you take this approach the impact will cause others in the company to adjust their behaviour.

Caroline Mboijana, Managing Director,The Leadership Team (U)  [email protected]