A Day At The Beach Or The Office? Addressing Summer Dress Code Issues

If employees' summer attire begins to resemble a day at the beach rather than a day at the office, it is likely time to remind employees of your dress code policy. Having a clearly delineated dress code policy in place and ensuring that your employees adhere to it is important for several reasons. Not only do dress code violations create a less-than-professional workplace environment, but they also can compromise employees' health and safety.

The primary dress code issues employers face in the summer months concern overly casual and revealing clothing such as flip-flops, shorts and tank tops. Aside from the fact that this revealing clothing leaves uncovered tattoos or body piercings that remain covered during winter months (often viewed by others as unprofessional and inappropriate for a place of work), it also creates safety hazards. Open-toed shoes increase the likelihood that employees may slip or fall. And improper attire, such as tank tops or shorts, can create