Dress Codes In The Workplace

Headlines on dress codes are becoming more frequent and certainly catch the eye with the BBC's "Can an employer demand that you go to work naked?" being no exception! The question raises a fair point – to what extent can employers dictate what its workforce wear to work?

Earlier this year, Parliament issued a joint report, prepared by the Petitions Committee and the Women and Equalities Committee, titled "High heels and workplace dress codes". Following the Government's response in April, we were expecting detailed guidance from the government in July. This guidance has not yet been published but is expected to cover the more "controversial" requirements including high heels, make-up, manicures, hair, hosiery, opacity of workwear, skirt length and low-fronted or unbuttoned tops.