I met a friend for lunch recently and he says to me, “I’d have to send you home because of your shoes if you worked at my company”. I looked at my feet to see (lovely) black, patent leather, high-heel sandals. ”Why on earth would these shoes cause me to be sent home” I ask. “Well, they aren’t considered sensible shoes because the heel is too high” he says with a chuckle.
Now, those of you who know me know I love shoes. I don’t look at “work” shoes unless the heel is at least 3 inches. Why on earth would anyone wear flats with a suit?!! I also live in Houston, where high-heeled, open toed shoes are very common in (most) workplaces because it’s so freak’in hot here.
His comment led to the inevitable discussion about the dress code at his company. After lunch he sent it to me. Once I got over that it was THREE pages long, I started to really read it. The majority of it was a laundry list of what was considered inappropriate business casual attire – and evidently ANY type of women’s shoes 3 inches or higher were inappropriate, as were bright colored or patterned print shoes and absolutely no heels made of cork! I can’t even begin to describe the level of specificity outlined in this policy.
He also shared how this dress code tended to drive certain behaviors. For example, the policy states:
If an employee is of the opinion that someone else’s dress is inappropriate, he or she should bring it to the attention of their manager, who should then bring the matter to the attention of the manager of the person who is believed to be out of compliance with the dress code. Thoughts or opinions about someone else’s attire should not be discussed with co-workers.
Guess what happens? Sally thinks Jane’s dress is too short. Sally tells her manager, who then races to Jane’s manager, who then tells Jane that Sally is hating on her and she should hang in her cube the rest of the day. A week later, Jane finds Sally’s shoes are out of compliance because they are red…..and the whole dance starts over.
How productive do you think these folks are? Can you imagine the culture this is creating? Instead of thinking about clients, how to drive revenue or how to collaborate with each other – you now have a bunch of ADULTS running around tattling on each other or walking around measuring women’s heels! Really.
This is why I despise dress codes. A dress code says to me:
-Our company doesn’t trust managers to ”manage” their employees
-Our company would rather have its leaders spend hours discussing our dress code vs. making money
-Our company has no clue what demotivates a workforce
To my great relief, it wasn’t HR driving this policy. However, HR was also not shouting from the rooftop how insane its leadership was to put something like this together – as certainly there would be employee relation, morale and retention issues as a result of this ridiculous dress code.
Bottom line – treat people like adults, model the behavior you’d like emulated in your org and for pete’s sake – CELEBRATE the women in your office who love wearing heels!
Crap like that would never fly down here in Miami. Hell, even our mannequin’s on South Beach are surgically enhanced : http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2010/01/305_photo_of_the_day_fake_jugs.php
John – Got to love Miami! I’m surprised we haven’t seen those new mannequins in Houston yet. Only a matter of time I’m sure. Thanks for you comment!
The only problem I had with open toed and/or high heels at my places of employment was for safety issues. Most of my career has been spent in manufacturing and shoes like that on a shop floor can be dangerous. I’ve had a couple of work comp cases where office employees twisted an ankle or injured a toe while in the plant. Plant floors are notoriously uneven and things drop all the time. Even injuries that are caused by violations of established work rules are compensable, at least in Illinois.
Other than safety issues, that does seem silly. BTW, do they make steel toed stilletos?
Safety first – totally agree! Afterall, I’d hate to mess up a good pedi. As for steel toed stilletos – sounds like a million dollar idea to me! Appreciate your thoughts, John.
This is not a clothing issue. Grown ups can generally dress themselves. This is a company that is more concerned about petty tyranny than running a business or actually creating an environment conducive to work.
You should have seen the rest of the dress code, Heather! Amen.
I interned at a company in downtown Houston that required pantyhose & closed-toed shoes- I don’t have to tell you what that’s like in August! But, more than general discomfort, it made me fundamentally think less of the company for all the reasons you articulated above- and how out of touch they were when it came to recruiting young talent. Young stars out of college are looking to define themselves, not conform. The less time I spend at work trying to be anything but myself, the more productive I am, and the more I’ll fall in love with my company.
Oh, and, these are on my feet TODAY: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=irregular+choice+party+pants&view=detail&id=6A80C3A844CA3054CF95071022221199617F32B1&first=1
McKenzie – I haven’t owned pantyhose since 1994. I had to wear them at work, with closed-toe shoes AND only skirts or dresses – no pants for women. I guess we’ve progressed a bit in Houston since then?!!
First – I am getting hivey and itchy just READING about pantyhose. Blech!
Second – I hate it when a company has a dress code and then it is not enforced or enforced half-assedly. This especially irritating when I was verbally reprimanded for wearing light, strappy sandals that were the only shoes I owned that could accomodate my giant pregnant-lady-frodo-feet when other folks on my floor would wear their Snuggies (No Lie!) about the office and then also not opt to wear shoes. Not anywhere. Not even in the restroom. And I wish it was only one nutso doing that – but there were/are multiple people that have done/do this. (sigh)
Carrie – Half-enforced policies are even worse! Towards the end of my pregnacy I couldn’t even get a strap around my foot…..so guess I couldn’t have worked at my friend’s company then either as mules it for me. Snuggies?!! I’m shaking my head in horror.
Oh, you just came up with the best idea we’ve had to drive sales in over a decade? Sorry – you’re wearing heels that are a half-inch too high. Let’s talk about that instead.
Love this, Kathy – well written. Spreading this far and wide so people can wake up and focus on the right things!
Thanks, Cali! I just want to know who actually measures the heel height!
I hope they give the dress code to prospective employees–a sure sign of whether or not that company culture is right for you! Or not!
I work for a small start up and was one of the first hires. I generally wear flip flops in the office and most people being interviewed will see me walk by them to get a coffee. The general reaction has been “please tell me I can wear flip flops if hired”. One Programmer point blank told the CEO it was why he wanted to work here. The only time anyone dresses up is when they have a meeting offsite or an event after work and we are all the happier for it.
I’m in a corporate setting in Phoenix AZ so things are a little more relaxed then in other states. I have a huge issue with the stripper heals in the office, its not the right type of a “professional look” along with the knee high boots especially when you tuck your pants into them. Don’t get me started on the ladies who think leggings are pants and ok with a long shirt. FYI-It looks like you forgot to put pants on. Unless you have a pole in the office don’t come to work in something you would wear out to a club.