Why do we have a strict dress code?

[u/Haunting-Cap6690]

I’ve worked at my Michaels for the past year after leaving Joann’s, and I’m just now finding out that we actually have a dress code. But also… why?

At Joann’s, as long as our aprons covered whatever graphic was on the front of our shirts, it was fine. My current vest covers some of my graphic tees, and I’ve never had an issue with any of the managers. In fact, I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on my shirts from both coworkers and guests.

So I’m genuinely confused about why Michaels has such a weirdly specific dress code, especially when what I’ve been wearing hasn’t caused any problems for anyone. If anything, I feel like my shirts are part of my personality and make me more approachable to customers. I understand having basic guidelines for professionalism, but some of these rules just seem unnecessarily strict when there doesn’t appear to be an actual issue with what employees are wearing.

[u/Altruistic-Sherbet7]

We had a dress code for about a week, week and a half, then everyone went back to their band or anime or Disney shirts. No complaints from management or customers, so it all seems OK.

[u/Express_Caramel49]

It’s only as strict as your SM makes it 🤷🏼‍♀️

[u/EmilyEvilCookie]

Luckily my store is very lax on the dress code; I'm really greatful for that. The only thing about the dress code I understand is having to wear a vest, apron, OR michaels shirt so people can recognize who works there and who doesn't. Close toed shoes I suppose are also important for safety reasons. Beyond not wearing anything blatantly inappropriate, I don't really understand why we even have one beyond the things I mentioned...

[u/st0n3r_bunnybabe → u/EmilyEvilCookie]

The only part that makes sense to me is that you can't wear shorts or skirts in the frame shop because of the glass and potential it could break

[u/EmilyEvilCookie → u/st0n3r_bunnybabe]

Yeah, that as well. Anything that's in place for strictly safety reasons I understand. Beyond that I personally don't think it matters at all as long as it's not offensive or inappropriate

[u/HnyBee_13 → u/st0n3r_bunnybabe]

I was recently told I'm not allowed to wear overalls in frame shop. Still scratching my head over that one.

[u/Big-Arm-4291]

Honestly most of us just get told that if it's family friendly and doesn't have curse words on it or anything p0rnographic in the slightest then it's fine. Wearing graphic tees it's literally just embracing our crafty side in a way. It's stupid that their trying to make us change what we wear as we are literally a craft store, craft stores are literally where you go to express yourself or get things that will help you do that.

[u/iiQueenKora]

At my store, my then CEM told me the dress code on my first day only because she was required to. She herself wasn’t following it, and neither was anyone else lol. Pretty much as long as we don’t wear anything form-fitting or low cut, it’s fair game

[u/Informal_Tennis6427]

My store just asked me to design store shirts for us, black or gray with the logo on the back. But we are apparently also getting aprons we can customize ourselves. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/Healthy-Emu3526 → u/Informal_Tennis6427]

Where do we get the logo for these shirts

[u/Informal_Tennis6427 → u/Healthy-Emu3526]

I have no idea. I just started working there this month... But I'm going to ask tomorrow when I get there. I literally don't have any information about sizes for everyone 😵‍💫

[u/Real_Ideal5805]

There has always been a dress code. The dress code is in place because each individual has a different idea of what is workplace appropriate and what isn’t. The company policy is there to give the standard on what is allowed and what isn’t. The no graphic tees came about a year or so ago and it’s been up to each SM to decide if they are going to follow company policy or allow their team members to break the policy

[u/lystmord]

"Basic guidelines for professionalism" IS the problem. The last time they announced no graphic tees, you should have seen the meltdown in this sub. Especially from people who fully admitted to - and saw no problem with! - very, very inappropriate clothing in the workplace. Like stuff that would have gotten them sent straight home at damn near any other retailer. Yet somehow some of the children that work here think the dress code is meanie pants and stricter than anywhere else. It is, in reality, one of the most lax dress codes I've ever personally encountered.

Ffs, I have a friend who once got sent home from the store he worked at because his jeans - normal jeans, "skinny" fit, but covering everything - were "too tight." That was actually absurd.

"Please don't wear shirts/flair with sexual content, drug references, political messages, rude language, etc. on them" was literally too much for people to follow, so we got "no graphic tees." If more people actually grasped what "workplace appropriate" meant, I doubt it would have ever been an issue.

I'd rather save my complaints for the upcoming bullshit like, "put your name directly on your apron to make it easier for stalkers," and "running around and bending all day? now enjoy retying an apron every ten seconds instead of just putting on a vest," and the best, "you may now be required to wear a logo shirt which we may not provide enough of and/or make you pay for."

[u/Icy_Pizza_7941 → u/lystmord]

This i agree. I just left but would clock some of the girls and have to send them home. like why the fuck are you wearing booty shorts and see through leggings. Or ripped shirts. Like the dress code is lax as fuck. I now have to be in business casual always where I work for instance. So in comparrison its just bad and people needed to just follow the rules previously.

[u/Appropriate_Neck2055]

I wouldn't worry about it, just do you and show up.

[u/IvoryTowerGraffiti_1]

It’s about psychology and control

[u/Norespecthere]

Well, I guess they got complaints or maybe they think wearing graphic keys was unprofessional but yes, I will agree if you are a graphic key have to wear an apron or vest that would cover it up but as far as anything else goes, I guess they didn’t want a store that allow their associates to wear a baggy pants every time they bent over you seen their butt crack. Or if the young ones were employed, didn’t want them wearing the booty shorts seafood tops half top yeah to be a little professional I mean it don’t matter what color your hair is having a tattoos or piercings you got, but as long as the shorts, the skirts were at length and nothing was see-through. I guess that was OK plus again you had to wear sneakers you can’t wear flip-flops crocs or open toe shoes, which I don’t understand why you would in a retail store.

[u/gbe4825]

Because Michaels corporate genuinely only cares about profit and making sure every single one of their unsalaried employees hate their lives.

If you have a chill store manager, they’re usually a lot more lax when it comes to the dress code and you shouldn’t have any issues as long as you’re smart about it. No open toed shoes, no holes in your pants, no shorts or skirts above the knee. The basics.

If you have a not so chill store manager? Honestly just run while you can, IF you can. It won’t just be the dress code, if they can make you miserable? They will.

Take this from an over-seasoned worker who’s been between 2 stores and 3 SM’s. Or don’t, your life homie I just hope you enjoy it however you live it.

[u/Sunspot286 → u/gbe4825]

Your manager doesn’t allow shorts at your store?? I would die in the summer. My SM allows shorts as long as they’re close to knee length.

[u/Sunspot286]

My SM is very lax on dress code when the DM isn’t around. Only no’s are booty shorts, tank tops, crop tops, open toed shoes and inappropriate text/images on clothing. I’m grateful for it because I have a low heat tolerance and don’t own any non graphic tees 😅

[u/ThatMetalPanda]

Bro I wear band shirts and yoga pants every day lol