casual clothes to be worn on Fridays during the non-busy seasons (casual Fridays). We are striving for a balance between our needs for professionalism and our desire to enable comfort and self-expression. Invest in a solid pair of sneakers and save the rubber sandal-shoes for your next day trip to Disney World. Who hasn’t slipped out of a pair of soft comfy slippers walking up carpeted stairs? All of my thoughts about casual Friday attire are not meant to feel stifling or too formal. To make this policy effective, we need your commitment, support, and leadership. We are always searching for new ways to make our firm a better place to work. I don’t believe formal clothes have to be expensive, just that they should demonstrate an air of professionalism. Okay, so you’re feeling like I’ve been unnecessarily harsh. 3. The requirement for closed-toe and closed-heel shoes in the manufacturing areas was established by the Company Safety Committee. 3. Around this time every year, as we stand on the precipice of warm, summer days, human resource managers around the nation send their hard working employees an email with the obligatory reminders about proper summertime office attire. Here are some workplace Fun Frid…
I don’t want you to leave thinking I’m a total Friday fun sponge, so I’m going to compromise and counter offer a short list of items that to me, are completely appropriate Monday through Friday, to try to win back some of your respect. This will prevent abuse of the policy and will ensure employees remain looking professional even on more casual business days. Who are we to judge? 7. You will experience less push back and more willing compliance. Essentially, either once a week or once a month, the office will do something exciting and fun on a Friday, to help get everyone excited for the weekend. I’m talking to you IT department. A company memo should accompany this change in standards, however, to explain the perimeters for this new policy. Note that I am not baring sneakers and flip flops entirely. I understand that hoodies can be a casual form of self-expression, but that’s what your cubicle is for. My suggestions are meant as simple reminders that even on a Friday, an office is still a place of business, and we’re all still representing a professional service company. Trust me on this one. Although you are allowing employees to wear jeans to be more casual and comfortable, you will still want them to appear professional. I don’t care what you top it off with. 1. You have had three opportunities to look the policy over and give us feedback. Because, no. Save ripped jeans for Saturdays. See through shirts. Explain in the memo that abuse of the jeans day policies can lead to the cancellation of the new rules. Or, if the souls of your $1.00 Old Navy flip flops are stained gray with dirt in the shape of your toes, that you treat yourself to a new pair of $1.00 Old Navy flip flops. Please do not wear yoga pants, or sweatpants to work. It’s hard to argue that on an 88- degree day, when the office fees like a terrarium, that women are allowed to wear knee-length skirts, but men have to wear full length pants or jeans. If we cannot maintain an air of dignity we will be forced to rethink this new policy. This can help prevent further issues and complications. We are introducing a dress code at Your Company for a number of reasons. A Notice to All Office Employees: Seven Do Nots of Casual Friday Attire. The elimination of each of these had been requested by managers who do not believe we have been strict enough in this iteration of the policy. In other terms, business buzzwords aside, I’d like to make some suggestions for how we can all enjoy the less onerous atmosphere of Friday, while still presenting ourselves as professional adults. As long as it’s not offensive, if you have a tattoo that expresses who you are, I believe you should be able to display it. As a reminder, with regard to footwear, closed-toe shoes have been required in the office areas for the past ten years and this requirement is stated in the handbook. Then follow me into the conference room. We thought that writing all of this out might help you have the facts and reasons at hand for why we are adopting a dress code when you do this communication. If you want to share with your co-workers how much you love the Pittsburgh Steelers, or that trip you took to The Grand Canyon, or Victoria Secret’s PINK brand, then decorate your cubicle accordingly. All rights reserved. Current policy prohibits: Casual shoes such as hiking boots, sandals, mules I don’t want you to leave thinking I’m a total Friday fun sponge, so I’m going to compromise and counter offer a short list of items that to me, are completely appropriate Monday through Friday, to try to win back some of your respect. Explain in the memo that jeans that are ripped and torn, whether by wear and tear or by design, are prohibited. © 2019 www.azcentral.com. Web design by Jay Clewis. We are delighted to make this revision, and as always, count on your … I just want to put a framework around it, leverage some synergies, look at the low-hanging fruit, and circle back on Monday. Human Resources will print enough copies of the policy for each of your staff and we will distribute the forms to you for distribution to them. By using The Balance Careers, you accept our. Casual Friday does not mean pajama day. Notice that the headgear has not been disallowed. Are Rude Emails at Work a Violation of Human Resource's Policy? Offering everyone the opportunity to dress in business casual during the entire week wear offers a great way for employees to be more comfortable and to save money. It doesn't cost anything to allow employees to dress down in business casual attire … Safety first worker bees. Jeans that are too low cut should also be avoided. So why would you wear it on Friday? I’d like cubicle conquerors around the nation to look deep inside and truly consider the following guidelines as they apply to Casual Fridays nationwide. What Is an Organization's Responsibility With Respect to Sexual Harassment According to the EEOC? All rights reserved. Copyright © 2020 Jessica Marabella. They are not meant to restrict anyone’s personal creativity, or their ability to be comfortable on the last day after a long week of hard work. The office doesn’t have to always be a drab, dull environment. Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Life Advice, Offie Culture. All it takes is a few concessions and minor upgrades to keep us all functioning in a professional capacity, even on Fridays. Outline any exceptions, such as days when clients are visiting or if there are business meetings, where traditional business attire will be necessary. I know this advice flies in the face of Abercrombie at Fitch’s strategy to sell pre-ripped jeans for $89.99, and I can acknowledge that jeans with rips across the thighs have a place in society. Make sure employees know that the jeans day is not a guarantee or a right and is subject to change as necessary. Tattoos. Jeans and bib overalls are permitted for manufacturing wear. I would just ask that if your sneakers are covered in caked-on mud from your weekend mud run, that you choose a more presentable footwear option. Michelle Barry graduated from Salve Regina University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Sandals, thongs and footwear made of rubber, plastic ,etc are not appropriate.