Allowing Shorts at Work: Is It a Good Idea? - Quill Blog (2024)

The COVID-19 pandemic reframed how we work, where we work, and now — potentially — what we wear to work. Professionals might be wondering which of the changes are here to stay and which will be, so to speak, shorts-lived.

As of 2022, 59 percent of Americans with jobs that can be done remotely are working from home all or most of the time, while 63 percent of high-revenue-growth companies have implemented a hybrid work model. To make hybrid models work for everyone, employers are seeking ways to incentivize staff to visit the office — at least part-time. Perks have included everything from free lunches and happy hours to dog walkers and celebrity concerts. But top-dollar incentives aren’t realistic for every company; in some cases, it comes down to simply making the office a comfortable, welcoming place to be. A relaxed dress code is one way to make office visits more appealing without a big cost burden to the company.

But is it a good idea to let employees show up wearing whatever they want? Where should you draw the line? Today we’ll tackle one question in particular: Is it appropriate to wear shorts at work? Keep reading to see whether or not it’s a good idea for your office.

Post-Pandemic Office Dress Codes

Dress codes may feel archaic after the pandemic showed that workers could be equally if not more productive in sweatpants. Suddenly having their wardrobe policed might feel a bit unfair — especially if some teammates are still at home, wearing whatever they’d like.

Additionally, it’s important to remember that we’re still in the midst of the Great Resignation. Worrying about losing talented employees is a real concern — so any small changes that can be made to help them stay happy within their environment should be considered.

Pros of a No-Shorts Policy

If you’re leaning toward a no-shorts policy, here are a few reasons that could support your position:

• This was your pre-existing policy. When returning to work, employees might find comfort in the fewest possible changes. Additionally, if this is an industry standard, then it’s helpful for your company to uphold best practices.
• Office workers are customer-facing. If employees are making sales or speaking with clients and customers, it’s understandable to err on the side of respectful formality.
• Your staff won’t have to police fellow employees. This can create disharmony and force uncomfortable reporting situations. Plus, certainly, employees have more important things to do than assess their team members down to the inch of their inseam on a daily basis.

Pros of Allowing Shorts at Work

Although it’s fair to be concerned about professionalism, there are also valid reasons to consider allowing shorts at work, including:

• An easier transition back to the office. Even if dressing “professionally” was encouraged for video conferencing, it’s possible that people were only doing so from the waist up. Some companies have even embraced the humor of the situation with days dedicated to dressing like you would at home.
• It can be good for morale. If your workers have asked for a more relaxed dress code, this is an easy win to show that you’re listening and willing to compromise.
• A potential recruitment incentive. In a time of transition for many office workers, you might be hoping to capture some top talent for your own company. With 1 in 3 people willing to turn down an offer over conservative office dress codes, this might be a worthwhile trade-off.

Companies That Welcome Shorts at Work

What happens when a company relaxes its office dress code — or ditches it altogether? T-shirts and jeans might be worn a few chairs down from a suit and heels. These people might look like they hold entirely different roles or work for entirely different companies, when really it just comes down to an individual sense of dressing for success.

Instead of evaluating the “wearing shorts to work” rule on a company-by-company basis, it might help to consider which industries tend to be more flexible. For example, shorts might be more associated with nutrition and fitness companies or the tech sector (where Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg famously cemented casual wear in the workplace).

How Long Should Shorts Be at Work?

If a company is going to allow shorts at work, then it will likely want to set up some guidelines about what kinds of shorts are allowed. After all, “shorts” can mean anything from hip-hugging cutoffs to knee-length cargo shorts.

American clothing retailer Lands’ End advises that women wear shorts no more than 3 inches above the knee to remain business-appropriate, while men should start with a 9-inch inseam as a guideline. Fast Company agrees on these length guidelines, but fabric and styling will play a part. This is important because 80 percent of managers believe that how you dress can impact likelihood of advancement.

Therefore, even if a company decides to allow shorts in the office, if managers and executives continue to demonstrate formalwear as the choice of image for those who take the job seriously, it’s possible that the option to dress casually — and showing that your company listens to employee feedback — will be more meaningful than the rule itself, and office workers will continue to follow the example of those they respect and hope to emulate.

Ultimately, there are no shortcuts. There’s only one way to find out if allowing shorts at work is a good idea —go ahead and give it a try keeping in mind the recommendations above.

• Tags:Dealing with Change, Employee Morale, Employee Wellness, For Managers, Inclusiveness, Office Atmosphere, Return to Work, Work from Home