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?!!

Why is it an odd thing to say ?? Just pointing out that stubble is there not because cannot be bothered to shave but a choice that all!! And he is very successful and his stubblyness has no bearing on his work or professionalism !!

I am totally at an allergy to skirts.

Is that skirts for you, or does it includes near contact to skirts? And what about traces of skirts on people close to you?

See, my DH looks better with some stubble rather than clean shaven (and don't start me on a bloody beard).

Clean shaven he looks about 15, and no matter what he uses or tries his skin ends up irritated and red. With a bit of stubble (a couple of days worth) he still looks clean and tidy but he also looks his age, and his skin isn't sore and uncomfortable.

But - uniform policy is policy, and if yours is reasonable and states that staff must dress a certain way then it should be adhered to.

"Warning, this person lives near skirts. Cannot guarantee skirt free."

I don't think it matters if the uniform is fussy or if there are many pieces to it. School children manage to put on a shirt and tie every day, there is no reason why adults can't manage it.

Presumably, they knew about the uniform when they took the job. That being the case, they ought to wear it and look smart. It's really not that hard to wash and iron clothing.

Do set the example yourself. My employer just managed to cause laughter when they sent an email on a Friday reminding people of the dress code - every senior person was in breach of it the day it was sent.

If they are all out and about are you in a position to let them know that you will be doing on site spot checks randomly over the next few weeks to check several areas of work/standards/competencies, 1 of them being their dress code (I assume that you have one or two other issues that you could use the spot checks to resolve...if uniform is the only issue that you with your team, you are doing ok!!).

I also assume that you also look tip top and smart at every instance too?

There's this thing with managing a team though isn't there, forming, storming and norming they called it when I was training. How long have your team been together? Have you got lots of newbies?

Can I ask a question? My employees are generally very compliant with the dress code at work - my dilemma is to what extent I should comply with it. I ask them to wear black trousers or skirt and a black or white top -with a few other requirements like no jeans, tops must cover shoulders and under arms etc. Managers may wear coloured tops - and that is what I do too. But I always wear black trousers or skirt, or a dress that is basically black, and I never expose shoulders etc - but as the boss would it look better if I dressed differently to the staff (but still smart and professional)?
I run a pub.

woollylamb - I'd stick to what you are currently doing. I think it's nice for the employer (especially if customer facing) to adhere to their own dress code.

I'd be a bit uncomfortable asking people to wear something that I wasn't prepared to wear myself. I think it might be different if what you are doing on a day to day basis, differs a great deal from what the employees are doing - so if they were waiting tables and you were going out to meet clients, then you clearly would dress differently to them. However, if you were also hands on, with the customers, then I think it would be better to wear similar clothing to the rest of the staff. (I'm thinking of a restaurant, but it might be different depending on the specifics of your business).

Sorry, I missed the bit where you said it was a pub. in that case, definitely stick to what you are currently doing imo.

I work in a Hotel. They have exceptionally strict dress code, but are a global company, so have a blanket ppolicy across the world.

Hee hee at the allergy to skirts! The trousers aren't particularly flattering whereas the skirts are quite nice actually so they get worn more.

What's the hotel dress code MadameChin Legs?

Yes I do wear the same uniform as the rest of the staff, although because I tend to work later than they do and I'm in the office either on my own or with with business partner we tend to be a bit more relaxed about how we wear it. I do try and get out to see them at work, it's not very easy trying to fit it in with the office diary sometimes though.

Not sure what sort of work it is but the other way to do it is to say that you will be doing a mix of visits and a customer feedback calls. The feedback would be nothing to fiddly for you, just a courtesy / how can we improve our service type set of informal (leading) questions.

In my experience some staff can be a but funny about the one rule for us/one for them, could you be strict on yourself with the uniform until things improve (dull I know...but it works in my experience, you are setting a standard basically.).

Also giving good (as well as 'room for improvement') feedback to people in their place of work pays massive dividends, it wouldn't need to be a permanent thing, is the office stuff really important? Could it be done from a phone in the car while you are out and about between visits)?

Oh maybe my last post was confusing - we do wear the uniform smartly during the working day, it's only 'after hours' that we don't look quite so smart!

oh ok, are the staff still working or have they knocked off too? I would relax my uniform only when the last staff member has finished iyswim.

No only once they've finished work

MEN: Set uniform of trousers, shirt, tie, jacket. Jacket worn at all times in public areas. Clean shaven or beard/moustache. One ring (unless in food, then no rings). Plain black polishable shoes. Hair natural in colour. Glasses in 'sensible' colours.

WOMEN: Set uniform of skirt, trousers, blouse, jacket and neckerchief OR set dress, neckerchief and jacket. All neckerchiefs tied the same. Jacket worn at all times in public areas. Hair off the face, tied up if longer than shoulder length and definetly if in food service. One ring (wedding ring and engagement ring together count as one). Plain black polishable shoes. Hair in natural colour. Glasses in 'sensible' colours.

namebadge worn at all times too.

My glasses have red frames but not particularly thick ones. A bit like this

Would they be ok Madame?

Just curious :o

Yep.

Just to clarifiy though....I didnt set the dress code

I wear navy blue plastic frame ones. My boss came in one day and said "oh, my (8 year old) son has those exact same ones"

Maybe try and buy them a uniform that doesn't look like a school girls uniform?

It's not me that determines the uniform though, like I said earlier most of my business operates under a franchise agreement so there are some constraints