Work. Love or hate it; enjoy or despise it, having a job and earning money is a fundamental part of living which shackles us for the majority of our lives. 75% of the United Kingdom’s population is currently employed in some form of work by some 1.1 million companies. Those businesses hold a divine power over tens of millions of lives, controlling what food they eat, which clothes they buy, and where they go. With establishments already dictating so many aspects of the working population’s lives; should they also be able to command how employees choose to present themselves?
This can be looked at from both legal and moral standpoints. Anne Morris, a lawyer from Davidson Morris legal firm, said: “Work uniform laws UK allow employers to require all their employees to wear a uniform.” also saying “Your employer may, within certain legal limits, be able to make you wear a uniform at work. Although, this should be expressly stated in your contract of employment.” It would seem as though a lot of employers exercise this right over employees, enforcing both uniform and other restrictions onto their staff.
Alice Cook, a 19-year-old sandwich artist for the worldwide fast food chain Subway voiced her dissatisfaction with uniform and grooming regulations. She said: “We are forced to wear an unstylish uniform, to style our hair in a certain way. We also aren’t allowed to wear false nails or eyelashes. It feels really restricting going to work dressed like I do.” This disdain for tight physical and uniform rules is held by many workers, especially those who are still in their teens and early 20s .
Research carried out by Gitnux shows that 60% of people feel emotionally detached at work, with 19% feeling completely miserable. There can be no doubt that unnecessarily harsh restrictions on employee presentation contribute to these concerning statistics. How are people supposed to feel happy at work if they can’t be themselves by dressing how they feel comfortable?
Despite this, there are still those who believe that employers controlling the physical appearances of their staff is a good thing. One of these being Declan Stephen, manager of The Barn at Scorton. According to Mr Stephen, having a presentable workforce is a critical part in maintaining a smooth running of the business. He said: “As an employer within the hospitality sector, I believe we do have the right to advise staff on appropriate workwear. This is in the best interest of all parties involved, maintaining a high standard for the restaurant customers. When it comes to jewellery and hair then employee appearance is very important with food hygiene and health and safety.”
While there seems to be something of a split between opinions held by employers and employees, ultimately, looking smart and proffesional in the workplace is undoubtedly a good thing. Employers should have the right to, within reason, make their staff look good by wearing uniforms and being presentable. Dressing smartly and looking well is an integral part of going to work and it should stay that way in years to come.
However, bosses and managers should take into account and listen to those who feel unhappy with rules and guidelines, especially those who feel uncomfortable due to religious or cultural reasons. If a worker has a moral objection against being told how to dress simply because they don’t like the colour of shirt they were given, or the way they have to wear certain shoes, then they should smarten up and follow the rules.