employee dress code is over the top
aday
4 Posts
we have a new executive that dresses over the top. we thought we might have issues people not finding her approachable. while visiting some clients we can tell that people don't know how to take her and we are afraid that she will fail even before starting her new position with the company. she is in charge of sales training for reps and clients.
How do I tell this executive employee that she must tone her appearance down. her hair color is not natural , a lot of make up and jewelry, etc....
Thank you!
How do I tell this executive employee that she must tone her appearance down. her hair color is not natural , a lot of make up and jewelry, etc....
Thank you!
Comments
If you don't have specifics, I really don't think you have a leg to stand on. If she's coming off as unapproachable, then more than likely her performance will falter. Address performance issues as they arise, but I'd steer clear of telling her what she can and cannot do - you'd be singling her out.
On the other hand, if she dressed appropriately during the interview process and things have now changed, I would have her supervisor have a little talk with her:
"You know, we want all of our employees to succeed, and to succeed spectacularly. We take the possibility of great success into consideration when we go through the interview process. In your particular position, we looked for X, Y and Z. You had all those credentials and your experience with ABC Company and John Doe Inc really helped. We also felt your conservative style of dress would help you go far with our particular clientele. I have noticed that your style of dress and makeup is somewhat different than when we went through the interview process. Your current style does meet our current policy, and I am not here to criticize you for it. You have every right to dress in your current mode. However, I just thought that I would point out that we strongly feel you will be more successful in a more conservative style. The choice, of course, is up to you. Either way I will be pulling for you to be the most successful _______ (sales rep, etc) we have ever had. If you have any questions or if there is any way I can help you succeed, please let me know. I am here to help."
I know someone who actually had this kind of conversation. The employee thought it over, and a few days later started dressing more conservatively. She was unhappy about it at first, but soon saw her sales grow and realized her boss was right.
Good luck!
Nae
It seems odd that you are worried about this now. Plus, you seem to be predicting future failure without any real evidence. Maybe she is just a bit eccentric.
Yes that was my concern during the interview process- her apperance. However my boss and the dept didn't feel that way and wanted to move foward with the offer anyway.
Now they do think is a problem- I am taking care of the issue with the employee.
I was afraid that this was going to happend. Oh well- I am taking care of this already.
At one of my early jobs when I was 19 I found out I was called "the guy who wears his dad's suits". Most of my suits didnt fit. It wasnt because they were my dads though. I was just buying everything second hand and sometimes the fit wasnt very good. I thought I was pulling it off pretty well but apparently not...
She should put the issue right back into the supervisor's lap and coach them on how to address it. Then flick the supervisor on the forehead while saying 'I told you so.' (As it appears that Aday DID tell them so after the first interview.)