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Media Releases
2008

24 July
2008

How to avoid getting into hot water over hot weather

During Scottish summer, employers could have an even hotter situation on their hands if employees decide that casual or skimpy work wear will help them keep cool in the office, warns leading employment lawyer Sheila Gunn from Shepherd and Wedderburn.

Warmer weather can throw up a number of problems for employers and send temperatures soaring in the boardroom.

As the heat rises decorum can often go out of the window, with shorts, strappy tops, sandals and skimpy dresses revealing rather too much for the workplace. But companies relying on informal rules may not be able to impose a dress code on wayward employees.

Sheila Gunn, head of employment at law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn, recommends that organisations provide a clear set of guidelines for staff: "While an organisation may tolerate less formal clothing over the summer months, it is vital that the limitations are clearly defined in a written policy if it wants to enforce boundaries.

"In every organisation employers need to clearly spell out to their employees the standards expected at work. Depending on the organisation, it can include a ban on things like piercings, ultra-short mini skirts and jeans."


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