To expect my employees to not come into work with their uniform looking like my eldest daughter's on her way out to school

[minesawhitewine]

I don't know what the problem is, I provide the uniforms at not insignificant cost, there is a dress code, why do they do it?!!

Well pull them up on it! What exactly are they doing?

Do what?

Yes, it's your prerogative to enforce correct uniform / dress code.

Because you allow it.

There is a dress code, I assume there are procedures in place for a breach of that dress code.

Enforce them.

I do not understand OP "To expect my employees to not come into work with their uniform looking like my eldest daughter's on her way out to school" I just do not get statement sorry!!

Presumably her dd looks a bit of a sight, skirt rolled up, shirt untucked...

Because you don't pull them up and discipline them for it?

surely OP if Stealth right surely you should be addressing eldest Daughters attire !!??? And has for employees they wear uniform or do not work for you !!! Plenty unemployed out there

Op how do you deal with poor performance?

Do you provide one uniform, which your employees then take home and clean/iron themselves?

It's much easier to maintain the dress code when you have two uniforms, so you can rotate them and clean them more often.

Or keep the uniforms at work and have a cleaning service for them.

Of course YANBU to enforce a dress code but there are also ways to make it easier for everyone.

I do pull them up on it, I just don't see that I should have to, and yes I know I should probably go down the disciplinary route and make an example of somebody, which is probably what everybody is now going to tell me to do.

It's a shirt, tie, skirt/trousers and a waistcoat or jumper. I feel like I'm sorting my daughter out, ties not done up properly, back of shirt untucked, that sort of thing. Arrggghh!

Be a manager and manage. Sometimes that means discipline. Just like being a parent.

Have a meeting to address issue so everyone knows what to expect. How old are they??

If you have a staff room, put a large mirror up in it (near the door to go out into the workplace). We have one at the entrance, so you can double check you're all neat and tidy before walking out into the public view.

Anyone who walks out looking shabby, send them back to the staff room to sort themselves out. Anyone who refuses can go home (unpaid).

We have a strict clean shaven policy at work which, if the staff do not comply, they are provided with a new disposable razor and shaving gel and sent to shave. They can either do that, or be sent home and not paid for the shift.

have you got a staff handbook detailing dress policy? the business link website has really good info on what your staff handbook should contain. it is really important so you have a legal leg to stand on how you want your business run.

Yes I would have a meeting with everyone, tell them all it's not acceptable and hand out a uniform code, anyone found in breech of it will be sent home unpaid.... Don't make and example of one person it's not fair.

Madame- are you in the UK and do you never employ a man who is not clean shaven, would they not get the job based on having a beard?

Also next time you do your uniforms would about something more user friendly, logo'd polos and black trousers look smart whether tucked in or not, obviously I don't know the nature of your business but I would hate to wear the uniform you described as I am allergic to skirts!!

Sorry, I should clarify the shaving policy. Gents are exopected to be either clean shaven or have a beard/moustace. The dress code does not permit stubble or the growing of beards during working times (so if you wished to grow a beard, it would need to be during annual leave). Beards / moustache / clean shaven acceptable. Stubble not.

If someone were to come for an interview with stubble, they would be advised that they needed either clean shaven or beard if they were offered the job, and should take that into consideration when deciding whether to accept the job.

when anita roddick first started the body shop she pulled up a girl on looking untidy. it turns out the girl had many challenges in her life, including she had no access to laundry facilities.

i heard thats the reason why there is always an ironing board and iron in the staff room...

OP -- as someone who has had many, many jobs requiring uniforms, I have to say your uniform is the kind that I always hated the most (sorry!) Too many pieces and too fussy.

I agree with undercover that if you can swing it, you're better off with polo shirts or jumpers and trousers. It's pretty hard for employees to mess that up and often they look neater anyway.

Just intersested Madame in the line of your business ??? My DH looks sooo sexy with his stubble
Interesting point whatsallthefuss

whats yes that's a good point. I've worked jobs before where a lot of the employees were living in rooming houses basically, with no laundry facilities or irons.

Yes I can see where you're coming from re. the style of the uniform but I'm operating under a franchise for the greater part of the business so there's constraints.

MadamChinLegs - I like your idea but a lot of the work they do is out an about and I don't have any control over how they look on a minute by minute basis.

imnotmymum that's quite an odd thing to say! I am sure your DH is very sexy to you with stubble, but it wouldn't look neat to me, it'd look like he couldn't be bothered/had no time to shave.