Melissa Sanchez is the VP of HR for Company XYZ. She has worked for Company XYZ for 10 years. She wants to change the “uptight and conservative” culture of the organization because of the new Millennials who will be joining the workforce. Ultimately, she would like to make Company XYZ more attractable. Productivity levels have been stagnating over the past 5 years. She has a conversation with the COO and he supports her overall plan. Melissa explains to the COO that the dress code needs to be modified. The COO exclaims, “But we are a valued organization and we need to be presentable to all of our clients.” Melissa understands his point but also understands that it is time for change. Based on her experiences and training, Millennials like flexible schedules, a lot of autonomy, and a progressive and liberal work environment. The current dress code is business casual and Melissa feels that a more moderate and comfortable dress code is more desirable for new and existing employees. As a matter of fact, it comes up on every annual Employee Job Satisfaction survey. The COO asks her to evaluate the implications of the dress code change for tomorrow’s executive meeting. She agrees and starts to prepare.

Melissa decides to call her old college HRM Professor and discuss this idea of changing the dress code. Her open-minded college professor understands the importance of changing old norms and adapting to contemporary standards. He explains, “Employees have the potential of being more productive if they feel more comfortable while at work.” Melissa thanks him for his time and decides to consider all feasible options.

Drawing on the material in the background readings and doing additional research, please prepare a 2-4 page paper (not including the cover and reference pages) in which you thoroughly answer the following questions (your paper should be in essay format where you address these questions in your essay):

Case Study Questions

Should a business casual dress code be the norm at all organizations?

If employees start dressing down, will it change the image of the entire organization?

What are the short-term and long-term implications of changing the dress code?

Should managers always have to dress in business casual?

If the dress code changes to a more lax and comfortable policy— what if some employees start dressing promiscuously and scandalously? How would HR regulate on these types of issues?

What if research states that a more lax and comfortable policy has the potential of increasing productivity levels? Would it be worth changing the policy?

Should a business casual dress code be enforced during the summer months?

Should employees be forced to where a standard uniform at work?

Should there be a policy in place regarding tattoos and piercings?

Assignment Expectations

Your paper will be evaluated on the following points:

Precision – Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)?

Clarity – Is the writing clear and the concepts articulated properly? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of response to the questions, or are excessive use of quotations how thoughts are conveyed?  Are headings included in all papers greater than 2 pages?

Breadth – Is the full breadth of the subject addressed?

Depth – Does the paper address the topic in sufficient depth?

Grammar, spelling and vocabulary – Is the paper written well – is the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary suitable to graduate level work?

Referencing (citations and references) – Does the paper use citations and quotation marks when appropriate? 

Critical thinking – Is the subject thought about critically, i.e., accurately, logically, relevantly, and precisely?