Dress Codes

By Jennetta Hyatt
Human Resources Manager for Fiscal Sponsorship and Recruitment

Working and Looking Smart

Work attire varies Some non-profit organizations have an official dress code policy, while others do not. And even if your nonprofit has such a policy, there may still be room for interpretation. So, when you begin a new job with an organization, you will want to review and observe its dress code policy.

In most cases, the dress code policy will include items that are considered appropriate for your work environment and those that are not. No matter how carefully the organization has crafted its dress code policy, it can’t address each and every situation for every employee. So, use your best judgement.

For those without an official dress code policy, the culture of the organization will generally dictate the policy. What are others wearing? A new employee may want to stick to wearing fashions similiar to their coworkers.

What's Your Nonprofit’s Style?

When considering what to wear, another thing to keep in mind is the type of nonprofit for which you work. For example, those working in a human service agency and constantly interacting with the public may have a different dress code than those working in a policy think tank. What you wear to work may also depend on your position in the organization. For example, as a director you may wear business dress in an otherwise casual dress work environment.

For the Employer

What to Do if an Employee Wears Inappropriate Clothing

When an employee wears inappropriate clothing to work, they should be told and asked not wear the inappropriate clothing again. If available, the employee should also be given a copy of the organization’s dress code policy.

In some organizations, when the dress code policy is not adhered to, the employee may be given a warning. Hopefully, it’s a verbal warning which will give the employee an opportunity to correct the matter.

In some cases, when an employee dresses inappropriately for work, the employee may be asked to go home. In other cases, they may be sent home to change and allowed to return to work if dressed appropriately.

Those not paid for this time away from work may think twice about dressing inappropriately again, especially if they really enjoy their job.

There are several types of dress codes, such as business professional, business casual or casual. The two most accepted categories in most organizations are business professional and business casual dress. Business professional includes wearing a suit, sport coat, dress pants, shirts and hosiery. Business casual generally excludes the suit and includes pants, skirts, dresses, shirts and khakis.

In some workplaces, a casual dress code is acceptable, or there’s a day of the week designated as a casual day. Casual day generally means the dress code includes wearing jeans to work.

Project the Right Image

Wearing jeans to work, in some cases, can be acceptable. Jeans that are extremely faded, torn, ripped or have holes in them may not be acceptable at work. Those working in an office environment should wear clothing that is pressed, clean, fits properly and in good professional taste. The clothing you wear can project an image and, if you want to be taken as a professional, you should be sure that you dress the part. No tight-fitting pants or tops, low necklines or clothing that reveals cleavage or other parts of the body such as the stomach, back, thighs or chest. Certain graphics on clothing may not be appropriate, as well as sleeveless shirts, tank tops or halter tops.

Don’t Forget Accessories

Other items to consider are those that accessorize clothing, such as footwear, hats and perfume.

Are athletic shoes considered appropriate, or not?
Is it acceptable to wear flip flops, beach sandals, open toes or heel-exposed shoes?
Some may think it is okay to wear a hat or a scarf covering the head; others may not agree. Covering the head for religious or cultural traditions should always be allowed.
Body piercings should have minimal visibility.
Perfumes should be minimal, too - some employees may have an allergy to the chemical, or experience other discomforts from the smell.

Cultural Items

In addition to the acceptable items previously mentioned, articles of clothing that represent an employee’s religion, culture or traditional beliefs should also be acceptable in the workplace.

These items include hijab, saris, durumagi, ch’ima, lunge, chapan, pienfu, ch’ang p’ao, shen-I, gelee, kikoy, dashiki and saree.

Question: Can you identify the religion, culture or traditional belief associated with these items?

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