Comments on: How to Change a Dress Code Policy—in 24 Hours

By: DennisPreston

DennisPreston — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:14:13 +0000

Michael, I'm new to your blog but saw this and wanted to comment. This idea may have already been communicated before, but to me, bears repeating again. More than the external issue of what people wear, this was (to me) a value issue. As in, what the company values, and that is its people. Maxwell has quoted someone who says that a leader's main job is to define reality. In defining reality, which really comes down to choices, you're also defining what is not reality. The reality defined by this decision is that "our people matter to us," and not, "what you wear and how well you keep up with the Jones in the office does not." It also defines that the organization is not about the externals, but about what it does to enhance the human condition. A subtle change, but a big impact. Great decision.

By: Brad C

Brad C — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:43:52 +0000

I live in Colorado, known for being very casual. I worked in places with both a dress code and places without. It is the little things that make a difference. One company I use to work for, someone came from the East Coast and they were “appalled” how no one dresses up here. Because of that, word got out in a memo that it was time to crackdown on the dress code. One of the big things they aimed at was banning blue jeans. Word got out after the memo of what happened. Luckily, some people in management (local) pushed back. But they knuckled down for about 6 months before finally pushing back.

On the crackdown, they cracked down so hard that casual Fridays were eliminated and as a “bonus”, if you traveled on business even on Saturday or Sunday, you were expected to abide by the company dress code. However, you were not paid for that time though.

By: Sammy J

Sammy J — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:38:20 +0000

Michael,
We spend a lot of our lives at work. Traditionally, it’s been about 1/3, but nowadays, I wouldn’t be surprised the average is 1/2 of our lives spent working. I think allowing jeans at work helps our time spent at work feel more integrated into our daily lives. In effect, you’re not dressing for work, you’re dressing as you normally would, so there’s less of a distinction. Does that make sense?

Either way, it’s funny how sometimes, the smallest details can have such an impact on morale.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:03:53 +0000

I don’t wear jeans. I haven’t since I was old enough to buy my own clothes. I prefer gaberdines, flannels, and herringbone tweeds, with turned up cuffs and two pleats.

I wouldn’t enjoy working in a company where everyone, or almost everyone wears dungarees.

By: Rob Shearer

Rob Shearer — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:41:15 +0000

Great post – and the morale effect is real. But it may not be what was changed, so much as the fact that you thought about the employees and did something – almost anything.

See, for example, the celebrated “Hawthorne Effect.” When the lighting was increased at the Hawthorne Co., productivity went up. Weeks later, when the lighting was decreased, productivity also went up. Each time a change was made, productivity went up – temporarily. Turns out, employees are motivated when somebody pays attention to them. Doesn’t matter what you do… just paying attention to them makes them more productive.

By: Jake

Jake — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:07:35 +0000

I have heard of companies that went casual then went back to “professional” because they said production increased when people dressed up and took what they were doing more seriously. I also know that I get more done at home when I get completely dressed and wear serious shoes. Is it an accident that the colder places on earth where people tend to wear more clothing are also the most productive places on earth? Casual sometimes goes down hill into immodest. And immodest gets to be distracting. How do you keep that from happening?

Incidently, I am not against casual at church because I think the devil did a good day’s work when clothing entered the field of human necessity. It certainly is a barrier to people attending church. I think the perfect church has people attending who are dressed up, and with about the same number of people in jeans or casual. That way, when a first time visitor comes, he will feel appropriate no matter how he is dressed. Some who dress up every day don’t feel right when they are in public but not dressed up. On the other hand, no one would feel like they had to dress in order to go.

By: Janie

Janie — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:01:24 +0000

The comapnay I used to work for went back and forth a few times, changing the dress code. The switch to jeans from business casual was a huge morale booster for me. Wearing my jeans and a sweater in the winter simply made it easier to get out the door in the morning, and stay comfortable all day.

By: Michael S. Hyatt

Michael S. Hyatt — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:24:49 +0000

@Brent: Let’s see if any of our employees comment here. I don’t want to speak for them.

Regardless, I agree with you. Employees are an important part of the process. I will indeed take a look at The Medici Effect. Thanks.

By: Brent Beckley

Brent Beckley — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:19:31 +0000

Do the employees feel like they play a real part in the company, or do they simply follow what the executive team says? I would suggest that each person is an “expert” in their particular part of the equation and should be regularly consulted as to how they would change policies. I believe that employees who feel like more of the process are happier and more productive. If you haven’t read it, take a look at The Medici Effect. Changed my whole perception on the transfer of ideas and how people value their contributions to the “society” (i.e. business). I like the new dress code, but there are bigger fish to fry.

By: Craig Rairdin

Craig Rairdin — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:41:58 +0000

Why’d you have a dress code to begin with?

This article could’ve been about how one little comment caused us to question the whole practice of enforcing a dress code. Instead, you just added one more allowed item to the short list of what your employees are allowed to wear. That’s not a big change. It’s a non-change disguised as a big change. Which suggests another title change, “How we tricked our employees into thinking we care.”

No offense intended; I hope none is taken. I purposefully do not work at a company with such despotic, archaic policies. Where others choose to work and how they run their companies is their business. It’s just that you invited comments, so there you go.

(And since it’s come up, “no dogs” is a good policy. More people are allergic to animal dander than even realize it.)