While advice firms should still expect client-facing staff to dress appropriately, accommodations should be made for hot weather and any attempt to ban shorts for men could land them in hot water, according to an employment lawyer.
Following a day in which office workers sweltered during what was the hottest day of the year, Health & Protection asked an employment lawyer about the thorny issue of how advice firms can enforce dress codes in hot weather and stay on the right side of employment law.
“Most businesses will be relaxing their dress codes for the hot weather,“ Melanie Stancliffe, partner at Cripps, told Health & Protection.
“They would still expect staff to dress appropriately to their role but we can expect a shift from the smart wear usually expected,” Stancliffe added.
“Any allowances would need to apply equally – if shorts are allowed for men, they should equally be allowed for women.
“Employers will also need to consider whether particular staff are more affected by the heat (e.g. menopausal) and what adjustments need to be made to assist them to continue to work (e.g. fans, flexed travel times).”
