Business Etiquette and Dress Code

Business etiquette stipulates how an employee should dress and behave in the workplace.

Etiquette in the workplace is crucial to a company’s effectiveness and atmosphere. While it might seem like a superficial factor, how you dress and acts while on the job can say a lot about who you are as a person and what you have to offer customers and the organization. There are many different guidelines to follow for nearly any business situation, from rules while traveling, to choosing a wardrobe to everyday office interactions.

Benefits

Adhering to standard business etiquette and dress code has many benefits. Presenting yourself in a professional and respectable manner helps people to see you as a person with integrity, which can help when talking to clients and coworkers. Many people will be more likely to take you seriously if they feel that you look approachable and competent. Showing that you care about following a dress code indicates that you respect company policy, which can make you seem like more of a team player by your bosses and co-workers.

Features

There are several situations in which business etiquette should be followed. These include inside the workplace, at company events, while meeting with clients and while traveling. There are different rules applied to dining, greeting, dressing and socializing. For example, if you are dining with a client, it is important to be patient and kind with the wait staff. Also, if you scheduled the meeting then it is your responsibility to pick up the tab. When it comes to dress code, different offices might require different behaviors. For example, while some might stress casual attire, such as khaki pants and polo shirts, others might require employees to wear full suits for men or skirts with heels and pantyhose for women.

Considerations

Research may be required to adhere to correct etiquette standards. Gauge how you should dress and act for your job by evaluating your job setting. It is not uncommon to ask about dress code and company policy during a job interview, though a few quick glances around the office should give you some indication of the norm. If you are traveling, it is important to adhere to etiquette standards, especially when traveling abroad. For example, if you are visiting India for business, it would be inappropriate to wear leather as the cow is held very sacred in this part of the world. If you are in Japan, it is not unusual to rely on spoken agreements rather than encouraging written contracts, at least until you get back to the U.S.

Misconceptions

Traditional dress code etiquette tends to be much more strict and conservative than the modern workplace. While this is not always the case, institutions such as “casual Fridays” have loosened the restraints on what employees are allowed to wear to work. The biggest rule for knowing how to dress according to etiquette in the workplace is to dress according to how you would want to be viewed by a customer or employer. The old adage “dress for the job you want, not the job you have” is useful here. Performance etiquette, such as how to dine with clients or schedule a meeting with an employer, are by and large still the same as traditional etiquette indicates.

Warnings

Never assume that you should be able to dress or act a certain way in a professional setting. When in doubt, ask for clarification. For example, if you are invited to a company gathering and the invitation does not specify attire, contact the event organizer for ideas on what you should wear. If you are taking a client out to a meal, ask your boss if you are expected to pay for the meal and whether you will be reimbursed for this expense.

References

• University of Wisconsin River Falls: Etiquette Tips - Dressing & Dining
• Charleston School of Etiquette and Protocol: Deciphering the Dress Code: Choosing Appropriate Event Attire
• Salary.com: Dress Code
• Business Management Daily: 14 Tips on Business Etiquette
• CNN Travel: Essential Etiquette