Seems like a fairly ridiculous question, right? It would be fair to say that you could assume that your staff know what is expected of them in terms of presentation.
However - have you ever received an invitation to a party with a dress code like smart casual, cocktail, morning suit or informal and sat scratching your head? Interpreting your office dress code can be just as tricky when there are no guidelines in place.
The days of suits, ties and stockings are giving way to more casual attire but that doesn’t mean we are quite ready for ripped jeans and midriff tops to become the norm. As a business owner, spending time on HR can seem like a necessary evil. Addressing staff dress and hygiene standards when they become an issue can not only be awkward and uncomfortable but can lead to calls of discrimination if standards aren’t clear and fair for all.
But how can staff members know what is expected unless that is properly communicated to them?
We suggest putting a presentation policy in place and distributing it to all staff. This is a great first step to ensuring everyone is clear about what is expected of them in the workplace. It is not just for customer facing roles either. The right presentation can set the tone for your office standards and provide a working environment that reflects the values of your business. It is also great to provide to new starters so they don’t wear their best suit on the first day when the rest of your employees are in jeans and a button down shirt. A well set out and easy to read presentation policy not only guides staff but is also handy when an issue arises and gives you something to point to when having a conversation with staff.
Don't panic - we have done all of the hard work for you
Save yourself the trouble of difficult conversations in the future by implementing a simple presentation policy now.There’s no need to spend hours researching and writing your own policy or spending thousands consulting HR companies to create a document that’s simple, to the point and covers all bases. Our GoldDocs Employee Presentation Policy is a straightforward (and fun!) read and a cost-effective solution to a possibly uncomfortable problem. It is fully customisable once downloaded. Check it out here.