Dress at work - Contract of Employment

The employer is perfectly at liberty to set down a dress code in the written contract, provided it is not discriminatory, but our view is that this is better left to the employee handbook. Many employers agonise over the wording but a simple sentence is often sufficient.

e.g.:

"During your hours of work, you must devote yourself entirely to the business of the Company and to endeavour to promote its interest at all times by conducting yourself in a professional and courteous manner. Your image and dress should be appropriate to the business environment."

If employers need a specific dress code then to avoid discrimination employers need to ensure their dress code reflects ethnic and religious differences. Health and safety issues must also be considered. The best way to approach such issues is to ensure the workforce is genuinely consulted in its preparation.

For male chauvinists we are long since past excluding women from wearing trousers.