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How should I address employee's odd dress?

John Wilcox, Moderator

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Question: “One of our employees always wears her sunglasses on top of her head at work. It's definitely odd, but I don’t think it’s a federal offense. The owner of the company, on the other hand, absolutely hates it. He told me to tell her to take off the %&$! sunglasses. Our dress code doesn’t say anything about such nonsense, so I’m at a loss on how to proceed. What should I do?” — Jill, SoCal

Comments

Simply tell her the owner asked you to mentioned it to her and that he doesn't like to see sunglasses worn indoors in any fashion unless medically necessary. It rots but they are the owner. Seems to me though, if they're the only one complainng and it's not a problem with her job performance then to each their own.

Posted by: yikes! | October 07, 2008 at 01:29 PM

Can it really be THAT serious? I agree with "yikes!". The owner has spoken. In my opinion, maybe she does not realize she does it. OR maybe it is her way of pushing her hair back out of her face (shades/headband)...it's possible. Or maybe she is prone to losing them and this is her way of keeping up with them. In any event a subtle mention to her per the "boss" will hopefully not come off as nit-picky (although it is) and the event will pass with little to no animosity.

Posted by: GoodGrief! | October 07, 2008 at 01:41 PM

I actually have a habit of leaving sunglasses on my head just because of being forgetful!
I don't wear them there all day, every day though; usually there comes a point when I realize, "Oh dear! I still have them on!"
To some people however, it is a fashion statement.
I would just want someone to be honest with me and say, "Look, I know this seems like a very weird request, and I know it isn't specifically in the company handbook, but Mr. Boss has expressed that he dislikes your sunglasses. If you just forget they are there and wouldn't be offended if I do so, I'd be happy to remind you to take them off. Otherwise, I think it might be a good idea for you to invest in some headbands." Something to that effect.

Posted by: WearsHerSunglassesAtNight | October 07, 2008 at 01:53 PM

My facility is a manufacturing facility so I may present the issue as a safety concern, in that, it's possible that they could become caught on something and then pull her hair into the same something. You could also approach it as if to say, "if we allow you to wear them, we may be in a position to allow everyone wear them in the same fashion". If your company employees regularly have visitors/customers or cater to the public, you could present it as an appearance issue or lack thereof.

Posted by: Drenna | October 07, 2008 at 01:55 PM

I'd have a hard time with this one - seems really nit picky to me on the part of the boss. But - he/she's the boss. A simple mention should be made toe he employee, hopefully this will take care of the problem. If not, ask the boss if he/she would like the dress code section of the employee handbook changed to reflect this. Again, very nit picky IMO.

Posted by: K10 | October 07, 2008 at 02:04 PM

I do not believe it is nit-picky at all. We have many businesses with a multi-generational work force and what is nit-picky to one is a matter of professional appearance to another. If it is an office setting that is being discussed then why are sunglasses needed?
We, as employees, represent the company by our image and, if that image is not what the boss wants us to portray then we should be told what is expected in a friendly manner by our supervisor.

Posted by: cj | October 07, 2008 at 02:39 PM

I agree with CJ. It is not professional to wear them.

Posted by: cj | October 08, 2008 at 09:47 AM

I ask you this, is the hill you want to die on? Meaning, is this an issue that warrants a lot of time, energy and frustration when there are so many more fish to fry? I find sunglasses on top of the head (as a fashion statment) the equivalent of our receptionist wearing a big gaudy necklace at the front desk. It irritates me she doesn't have better fashion sense but she does such a great job so I figure what is it hurting, really? Our company image? Nah. Company sales? Not so much. My advise: let it be (and explain to the boss what enforcing that fashion faux pas might mean in the big picture of things...there's a lot of fashion abusers in the work place. Do to one, do to all.)

Posted by: | October 10, 2008 at 03:06 PM

If it is that important to the boss, consider changing your policy.

Posted by: | October 13, 2008 at 01:19 PM

Did you ever think the BOSS may wonder if there may be a tell tail signof a controlled substance abuse that may be hidden behind the glasses?

Posted by: Lee Neal | October 14, 2008 at 01:00 PM

I think that she is stating that she wears them on top of her head not on her eyes. I think it can be pertained to substance abuse if they were them over there eyes. So I am assuming that she simply forgets or wants her hair out her face. Or she might just like it their. Just tell her that the boss dosent think its appropriate. Good Luck.

Posted by: Dar | October 14, 2008 at 01:25 PM

I will admit - I am one that wears the sunglasses on top of my head. Why? A number of reasons... 1 - so I don't forget them somewhere, 2 - because I am constantly going in and out of the office and 3 - because at my desk the glare unbearable at times! I actually put the glasses on quite frequently when no one is around... once I hear them coming up the hall, the go right to the top of my head until they are gone & I put them on again. Whether it is from the florescent lights in the early morning and late evening hours, or the bounce of sunlight off of cars during the day, I would rather have my glasses handy rather than deal with the headache later. :) (If the boss/owner truly dislikes the glasses so much, maybe you could approach it with this employee by asking her if she is having a problem with 'glare' from lights or windows at her work-station.)

Posted by: Kristie | October 15, 2008 at 03:32 PM

I'm the one with the glasses on my head in this office! I admit it freely. Here's why: 1 - they are expensive & I don't want to misplace them or have them damaged while laying on my desk. 2 - I go in and out of the office frequently throughout the day. 3 - (and most important) the glare at my workstation is horrible! Between the florescent light glare on the computer screen, a direct hit during sunrise hours, and the glare from cars in the parking lot during the day - it is much easier to have my glasses handy than to deal with a headache later on.
(If the boss/owner dislikes the glasses so much, maybe you could simply ask this person if they are having a difficulty with glaring lights during the day.)

Posted by: Kristie | October 15, 2008 at 03:37 PM

Tags: employees, sales

Small Business Tax Deduction Strategies: 10 tips on Section 179, home office write-offs for the self-employed, tax deductions for vehicles, rental depreciation, real estate capital gains and more!