Dress Code

TeresaBlank · November 2002

We currently have a casual (jeans) dress code - have had since the company started 10 years ago. The president's son, who is the VP/chief operating officer, is wanting to put a more formal dress code in place with jeans only on Friday. The problem I forsee is that the president is NOT going to abide by the dress code - the ONLY thing he wears is jeans. What problem/s am I going to have trying to make everyone else abide by the code, when the president doesn't? Another point in case, we changed our smoking policy to state that employees could smoke ONLY in their offices and NOT in common areas, but both the President and VP/chief operating office (son) smoke anywhere they wish. It seems to me that changing any policy is nice, but not enforceable (and a waste of time). Comments, please.

Gillian · November 2002

You are correct - a waste of energy and then you have to listen to the grumbles when others have to abide by the rules but the big cheeses don't. They make the rules though, so if you can't change their minds you will have to live with it.

Don D · November 2002

Not knowing how frankly you interract with the VP, but I personally might ask him, "Why do you feel we should develop a policy that we know we don't intend to enforce?" If he's stunned enough to ask what you're talking about, tell him what you told us. Then, you've done all you can do and, as Gillian said, write the policy as instructed and prepare to either ignore it or enforce it whopsidedly.

TeresaBlank · December 2002

Thanks!! I love your suggestion of a reply and I will be using it - we'll see what happens.

Lola815 · November 2002

I agree with the above, there is no reason to have a policy that can't be inforced...especially if the "top dogs" are not going comply!