Dress Code In Effect
The NBA´s new dress code went into effect November 1, 2005. Players are required to wear business casual attire whenever they are engaged in team or league business. "Business casual" attire means a long or short-sleeved dress shirt (collared or turtleneck), and/or a sweater, dress slacks, khaki pants, or dress jeans, and appropriate shoes and socks, including dress shoes, dress boots, or other presentable shoes, but not including sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, or work boots.
The following is a list of items that players are not allowed to wear at any time while on team or league business: sleeveless shirts, shorts, t-shirts, jerseys, or sports apparel (unless appropriate for the event (e.g., a basketball clinic), team-identified, and approved by the team), headgear of any kind while a player is sitting on the bench or in the stands at a game, during media interviews, or during a team or league event or appearance (unless appropriate for the event or appearance, team-identified, and approved by the team), chains, pendants, or medallions worn over the player's clothes, sunglasses while indoors, headphones (other than on the team bus or plane, or in the team locker room).
Why, might you ask, would this have anything to do with your business? Great question! IMAGE. What type of impression would your company give to customers should you have an employee at the front desk with a tongue ring and a t-shirt that says who´s your daddy? Nothing against freedom of expression here, but employers do have the right to determine what appropriate dress for the business is.
I once worked for a large company that employed over 200 men in trade positions. Believe it or not, the company revised and strictly enforced the dress code policy due to one female employee who pushed the limits. Her argument was that she couldn´t help that she had a great body and all the other women were jealous. Needless to say, even after the policy revision and enforcement, she was given a uniform to wear.
Now employees might scream violation of rights, however, if a dress code is based on business needs and applied uniformly, it generally will not violate employee civil rights. To ensure that your company policy complies with any legal restrictions, make sure you base the policy on business-related reasons, such as public image and promoting a productive work environment, and also safety concerns.
The guidelines should be very specific, i.e. no leggings, tight fitted pants, sweat suits, t-shirts or shorts. In most places I have worked women were not allowed to wear spaghetti straps and men or women were not allowed to wear sleeveless tops. In my opinion, if an employee deals with the public on a daily basis, jeans do not set a professional example, nor do flip-flops or even sandals"?¦I won´t even let my own children wear flip-flops unless they´re going swimming!
The dress code policy should apply uniformly to all employees eliminating discriminatory claims from women and minorities. Exceptions required by law to accommodate religious practices, i.e. head coverings must be adhered to.
Clearly communicate all dress code expectations in your employee handbook, or through company memorandums. Make sure to address what disciplinary actions will be taken for violations, and explain to employees why the attire does not comply with the dress code.
A good rule of thumb to follow is when in doubt, choose something else.
"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." ~ Albert Einstein
