Dust off those ties and pumps: Dress codes gussy up

Basketball’s not the only business tightening policy Workplace

The National Basketball Association’s adoption of a more formal dress code policy may have aggravated some players lastweek, but it

is far from the only

organization requiring more professional dress.

A study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that about 55% of employers allow casual dress once a week, down from 60% in 2001.

The majority of people who work full time in an of D ce setting have a dress code, according to a BizRate Research study, with just 26% allowed to don casual work attire. Most — 64% — work under a business casual requirement.

What some are doing:

uAt Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, a dress code passed last year that bans any form- D tting pants, sheer clothing, backless dresses, short miniskirts, low-cut blouses, tank or halter tops and anyr ipped or faded clothes. No areas of the bodyw ith body piercing jewelry, other than the ear, can be visible at work, and tattoos are banned. Employees who don’t follow the dress code will be sent home and not paid for the time away from work.

uEmployees at the Women Presidents’ Organization, a New York- based peer advisory for female business owners, are required to dress up when they meet clients. That generally means suits or skirts with a jacket.

“ People make an assessment about you in the D rst three seconds. First impressions mean quite a lot,” President Marsha Firestone says. “ It’s about building con D dence in the profession and letting people knowyou’re serious.”

uCommunities in Schools, a nonpro D t based in Alexandria, Va., that works on dropout prevention, recently tightened its dress code. The organization decided to focus on re D ning its public image, and that includes the dress policy.

Daniel Cardinali, president, says the companyu sed to allow casual dress such as jeans and sneakers. But it changed that last year to business casual, which means no sneakers or jeans.

“ There was some resistance,” Cardinali says. “ It was tough to lose the comfortable attire. Folks have called us for expertise. So I don’t get complaints anymore.”

The NBA said last week it will require players to dress in business casual when on team or league business. The policy bans sleeveless shirts, shorts and Tshirts and requires players on the bench and not in uniform to don a sport coat.

Some say dress codes such as the NBA’s are necessaryt o project a more professional image. At Iatria Day Spa in Raleigh, N. C., managing partner Diane Dennis says: “ We want our image to go along with our branding. It supports how we set ourselves forth in the community.”