...Questions often arise about whether an employer can enforce a dress code on employees. And the answer is – there is no simple answer. As with so many legal matters, the answer is influenced by the facts and the circumstances of each particular case. This article will attempt to provide some guidance. Consider first, a workplace with a collective agreement governing a unionized workforce. A dress code is viewed as any other rule which management wishes to implement. It cannot be inconsistent with any provision of the Collective Agreement, it must be reasonable, it must be known to the employees and it must be enforced consistently. In assessing the reasonableness of dress codes, arbitrators balance the rights of employees and the rights of employers. Arbitrators recognize the right of the employer to require dress that is safe for the work being performed and also recognize that employers have the right to protect the image they wish to establish for their companies in order to promote their business interests. The employee also has rights which come into play, especially where the dress or appearance the employer wishes to impose on the employee has an impact beyond the work place. Therefore rules against beards, facial jewelry, tattoos and so on, are often struck down by arbitrators since such rules intrude into employees’ lives outside of work. Arbitrators have required strong business justification, and solid evidence supporting that justification, from employers to support...
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...Dress Code Policies and Title VII Case Study HRMN 400 Introduction Employers have the right to enforce dress code policies in the workplace. They establish these dress codes to convey a certain image to their customers, to portray a professional image, to convey a neutral public image with respect to religion, or to enforce safety standards (Marcum & Perry, 2010). However, they cannot discriminate against their employees. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against individuals based on race, sex, color, religion, ethnicity, and national origin (Dress, 2011). The employer must make reasonable accommodations for their employees’ religious beliefs, unless it causes undue hardship on them. A FedEx delivery employee, Christopher Polk, became a Rastafarian and grew dreadlocks to symbolize his new religion. This violated the company’s dress code policy. After several internal discussions with Polk, FedEx gave him two options. He needed to either cut his hair or be assigned to a different job, which had no direct customer contact and paid less. Polk refused both options and was terminated. He sued FedEx under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, on the basis of religious discrimination (Bernardin, 2010). Position There are three criteria, which must be met before an employee can initiate a religious challenge against their employer. First, the employee must establish a sincere religious...
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...Companies consider dress code to include piercings, tattoos Like most law firms, Jolley, Urga, Wirth, Woodbury & Standish is a buttoned-down kind of place. Male attorneys are expected to wear coats and ties, Fridays are not casual, and employees who greet visitors in the reception area must remove jewelry worn in body piercings. Meanwhile, at Zappos.com, the Henderson-based Internet fashion retailer, T-shirts, tennies and tats are the rule rather than the exception, and employees can wear just about anything they'd like to work, although they are expected to exercise good judgment. Two successful companies, two approaches to handling the perpetually contentious issue of what employees should -- and shouldn't -- wear while they're on the clock. Whether the actual tipping point is T-shirts, tattoos or flip-flops, the tug-of-war between personal sartorial freedom and professional workplace accountability probably began with the first shots of the Industrial Revolution. And, in the decades since, it's a tension that has ebbed and flowed along with changes in society at large. Attorney Patrick Hicks, founding partner of the Las Vegas office of Littler Mendelson, has practiced law for nearly 25 years. "In the last 10 years, I've had more of these issues than in my first 15 years of practice," he says. Why? In part because the specifics of company dress codes have moved beyond clothing to also include body adornments, piercings and tattoos. It also may have something to...
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...Your professional image is an essential part of your military to civilian transition career search - and your subsequent career. Even in an era of largely informal business settings - coffee shop meetings and video conferences - and informal business dress codes - "business casual" and casual Friday - a professional image is still expected. So if it's not the dress code, what forms the basis of a professional image? Harvard Business School professor, Laura Morgan Roberts, defines professional image as: the set of qualities and characteristics that represent perceptions of your competence and character as judged by your key constituents (i.e., clients, superiors, subordinates, colleagues) Simply put, Ms. Roberts is describing an ability to...
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...Week 2 In The News: Walmart Dress Code In The News: Walmart Dress Code At the beginning of September, Walmart announced that they are implementing a new dress code for its store employees. The new dress code requires the employees to wear khaki or black pants, closed-toed shoes, and a collared shirt. Additionally, they will be required to wear a redesigned vest. This is a big change for many of the company’s employees and Walmart is placing the financial burden on the employees, with the exception that the vest will be provided. Many of the employees are complaining about the new dress code. One of the topics that were covered this week was strategies for managing change. When implementing a major change within a company it is important for the company to get employees to buy-in to the change, by communicating why the change is important and how it will help the company. Communication is an important part of implementing change within a company. It's impossible to over communicate when an important change is occurring. Not only is it about telling the employees what is going on and what isn't, but it's also about listening to their feedback. This helps getting the employees to buy into the change, which is key in making it the change occur smoothly. According to Stephen Warrilow, the five guiding principles of a good change management communication process are: Clarity of message - to ensure relevance and recognition, Resonance of message - the emotional tone and delivery...
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...Shop: “DRESS TO IMPRESS SHOP” NATURE OF OPERATION A dress code is a set of standards that companies develop to help provide their employees with guidance about what is appropriate to wear to work. Dress codes range from formal to business casual to casual. The formality of the workplace dress code is normally determined by the amount of interaction employees have with customers or clients. In workplaces where some employees interact with customers or clients and others do not, an organization may choose to have two dress codes. A more casual dress code is normally adopted for employees with no customer or client contact. Depending on the organization, the dress code may be written in great detail, or in the case of a casual dress code, little detail is necessary. If there’s one go-to area of your closet that makes it effortless for you to look putting together, sophisticated and ready for anything, it is, without a doubt, the dresses. Whether you’re going to work, dinner and drinks, a cocktail party or a tailgate party, a dress is the simplest way to look your absolute best. And there will always be an occasion for which a dress is simply a requirement. The owners are always on the lookout for the best pieces from each of Dress Shop’s designers for those occasions and everything in between. Dress Shop’s selection ranges from casual to cocktail and can work within every budget. Finish off your look with a handbag, jewelry, belt or jacket from Dress Shop’s fabulous accessory...
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..."You never get a second chance to make a first impression." This statement couldn't be more true when it comes to the issue regarding dress codes in the corporate world. Rather than maintain professionalism in the workplace, up-and-coming corporations are settling for jeans and t-shirts in the name of creativity and moral. Allowing employees to dress casually at work sends the wrong message to teenagers. Parents and teachers frequently discuss the importance of dressing appropriately and maintaining dress codes on campus, yet as an a adult, you can wear jeans and t-shirt to work. Teens with part-time jobs have to wear a uniform and look presentable at all times, but CEOs and VPs can dress casually for meetings. Why should I dress professionally...
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...professionalism as "the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person". If we ask any employer, all of them want a professional employee instead an unprofessional employee. (Christine, 2015) In our research, we find that there are six attributes included in professionalism (Shelvy, 2013). First is specialized knowledge, as a professional person, the knowledge in his or her areas are important. The most representative is academic qualification. A person's education level representative of his knowledge and skills. Generally speaking, during the interview, academic qualification is a mandatory targets for a person to get the job. Almonds in every area, the professionals are required excellent professional knowledge to complete the task or job. Also the professionals need keep his or her knowledge up-to-date in order to do their best. Secondly is competency, the professionals always get the jobs done, they know how to do in the professional ways. They manage expectations up front and focusing to solve the problem. Third, honesty and Integrity, the professionals need honesty and integrity, they keep their words and can be trust When they do the job, professionals have their own values and do the right things. Also professionals are humble, if they have something they don’t know, they can admit and learn from other. Fourth, accountability. Professionals have their own opinion, they can response for...
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...the reason businesses want their employees to dress in this fashion may vary, the general idea is to allow the employees to work comfortably in the workplace, and at the same time projecting a professional image to customers, potential employees, and community visitors (Field). Job interviews can give cause for high anxiety to a person when wondering what to wear for the interview. There are several points that can be covered to help better understand the business etiquette in the job market today. One important point to consider when thinking of business casual dress code is the region you live in or the type of industry. The East Coast and Midwest are more conservative than the West Coast (Heathman). The climate can be a factor as well. Changing seasons can determine the dress code throughout the year. Traveling for your company can make a difference in what determines your business casual dress code. The interpretation of business casual can mean something different to each employee. While one person’s understanding could be khakis and polo, another person’s may be jeans and a t-shirt. Being clear on your company’s description of a business casual dress code is important to cover, so that there are no misunderstandings by any faction. Incorporating an official dress code policy and attaching it or including it in the employee handbook can help alleviate the confusion (Empowerment). Certain days can be declared dress down days, generally Fridays. On these days,...
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...Running Head: ABC COMPANY CODE OF ETHICS 1 ABC Company Code of Ethics Brian P. Bennetti Western Governors University ABC COMPANY CODE OF ETHICS 2 ABC Company Code of Ethics Section I: Introduction ABC Company (the Company) strives to achieve the highest levels of integrity throughout all levels of its organization. This document will serve as a guide to the expectations set forth within. We must always act as professionals and treat our stakeholders with honor and respect. It is the expectation of the Company that the policies outlined in this document be followed without deviation. There are several values we must embrace as an organization to fully realize the values that set us apart from others in the industry. Section II will specify these values. Section II: Standard and Policies Standards: · Trustworthiness – All employees shall demonstrate a trustworthy attitude with regard to their everyday duties. ABC COMPANY CODE OF ETHICS 3 · Respect – All employees will treat any and all, fellow employees, clients, vendors, suppliers, and business partners with respect. Treat others as you would like to be treated. · Fairness - All employees will treat any and all, fellow employees, clients, vendors, suppliers...
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...PROPER DRESS CODE (UNIFORM) IN PROFESSIONAL CAREER A dress code (uniform) means a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization’s activity. People generally wearing proper dress codes (uniforms) are armed forces, police, emergency serviceman, schools and workplaces. These help them, stand out of the crowd so that they can be easily recognizable and also distinguish them for the service they do. Dress code (uniform) not only make them feel proud but also have an imposing effect on others and with the presence of a person in a proper dress code (uniform), can change the mood of people around. Dress code (uniform) also means to be the same, and without any difference. With these basic ideas in mind the concept of having a common dress came in to picture. If the dress of the members of an organization remains the same then there is a sense on commonality which develops amongst them. Dress code (uniform) also depict solidarity, and this has been this way through out, right from the days of the Roman Empire to the modern day manufacturing houses. Sometimes dress codes (uniforms) are made mandatory by the organizations like schools, work places like hospitals, restaurants etc. The model of these organization require, people who are part of it to be in proper dress code (uniform)...
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...the position he had applied for, it could be questioned if the tattoos had anything to do with this decision made by the interviewing company (Pyrillis, 2010). Although people have tattoos and body piercings in a workplace their performance while working should matter not their appearance. With that in mind it can be viewed that tattoos and body piercings in a workplace or during a hiring process can make speculations of unfair judgment against potential employees, since it can be argued that the interviewer bases their opinion of the candidate with the tattoos or piercings work off of their appearance versus their work history, performance, and work ethics. Many persons feel as though it is necessary to cover up any tattoos or piercings while in their workplace. One example would be a survey of two thousand twenty people was taken where sixty eight percent of men and seventy two percent of women felt it necessary to cover up their tattoos and/or piercings in the workplace (Pyrillis, 2010). While on the other side of this argument the remaining people felt that their tattoos and/or piercings should be allowed to be shown in the workplace without any negative consequences (Pyrillis, 2010). What this goes on to prove is that tattoos and/ or piercings in a workplace can make a difference on how a person might feel about how professionalism can be viewed by a third party or how...
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...------------------------------------------------- individual professional presence PARTS 1 & 2 Combined for Assignment 1 – Unit 2 April 7, 2015 JACKIE FAVEL PROFESSOR: HAROLD DAWSON April 7, 2015 JACKIE FAVEL PROFESSOR: HAROLD DAWSON To analysis and describe which profession I would choose as I view the slides, is the medical profession. Well, this is my degree geared toward health sciences in Healthcare Administration, so to say which slide would be best to describe my profession would be all of them, but I am limited to only one. So the Medical Profession is a health care provider who is any person who provides any form of health care, rather it be a physician, nurse, dentist, mental health provider, health care counselor, manager, or healthcare administrator, who is part of a health care a team within an organization/facility or in a clinical setting (Medical Dictionary, 2003-2015). Now to do this position professionally, one would need to have certain attire, communication skills, and a presentation of self (Adrianns, Jay 2013). Therefore, one can see all which encompasses the medical health profession. The dress fits to the job required in the specialty of the health care profession each projecting an image of self-interest in the field they choose to do in their work stations, as one can see in the image below in the white coat of hierarchy (Absurdist 2012). So as, I observe and see the woman in the picture provided, I see she fits into the realm of the profession. The dress is appropriate and...
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...With Proper dress Code With Proper dress Code Versus Versus With improper dress Code: * Block smock with colorful braided rope belt and tucked in her smock at the waist * open sandals would be on her ankles * made a bracelet, dangling earrings and a necklace of large metallic blue beads to complement the smock color With improper dress Code: * Block smock with colorful braided rope belt and tucked in her smock at the waist * open sandals would be on her ankles * made a bracelet, dangling earrings and a necklace of large metallic blue beads to complement the smock color Reflection: CASE 4.1 Is a "Jazzed-Up" Out professional? Chelsea completed a program of study as a physical therapy assistant at a technical institute and accepted a position at a local hospital where she would support several physical therapists. The reaquired attire for everyone working in the physical therapy unit is a blue smock and matching slacks. Chesea received information about the required attire. While in school, she enjoyed buying clothes in vintage shops and accessorizing with wild-print handbags and lots of jewelry to achieve her own individual look. Needless to say, Chelsea found the required smock and slacks pretty dull clothing. After purchasing the required clothes, she began to think about how she could "jazz up" the outfit. She excahanged the drawstring in the slacks for a colorful braided rope belt and tucked in her smock at the waist. She made a bracelet...
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...Slide 1 – Front page Slide 2 - (One line statement – dramatize to make the start interesting) Your wardrobe reflects who you are, don’t let it say the wrong things! Slide 3 (state the purpose of the presentation) The success of any personal encounter begins the second someone lays eyes on you ... often long before either of you speaks. A professional image - appearance and behaviour - helps start the experience in the right vein since people decide 10 things about you within 10 seconds of seeing you. Ladies and gentlemen for the next ten minutes I and my colleagues want to discuss the importance of Dressing for Business. Slide 4 We will discuss the following topics, … read from slide Slide 5 – About Grooming Grooming means dressing well, to be presentable to others It is important to dress well to work because what you wear may have an influence on your experience at the work place. Although talent, ability and hard work cannot be replaced, looking your professional best in the work place can always give you a competitive advantage. This simply means dressing in a way that projects an image of the successful working individual you are of would like to become. Slide 6 – Appearance Appearance, Clothes and manners do not make a man or a woman; but when he or she is made, they greatly improve his or her appearance Whether this is real or imaginary, the most important fact is that your appearance influences the opinions of everybody around you. Your professionalism, intelligence...
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