PPB May 2021

compiled by Danielle Renda Yalcin Sonat / Shutterstock.com Q A Distributor Asks: How do you politely ask an employee to dress more work- appropriately during Zoom meetings and other video conferences? Does anyone have an updated employee handbook that includes information about wardrobe in a work-from-home environment? One can be direct and polite at the same time. Perhaps sending a reminder message/email to all can get the conversation started so no one feels targeted. If they do not comply, gently inform the individual privately to always be their professional self, even while working from home. Suggesting options like business casual or something as simple as a full-coverage, unbranded t-shirt paired with a cardigan from the waist up is the expectation on these calls. I hope this helps and good luck with your employee. DANIELLE STEINBERGER Formerly of Koozie Group Tampa, Florida PPAI 114187, S13 Any company can implement a dress code. The trick is to apply it equally and be sure that it doesn’t target any one gender or person. You also have to be sure that if you want specific clothing to be addressed, you address it with anyone who breaks the new rules. ANDERA GEORGESON Sales, Northern California APP Imprints LLC Chico, California PPAI 486015, D3 Our office requires a work-accepted attire on all conference video sessions. We have in our handbook acceptable attire and reinforced the policy when we started working from home. I like to point out to our people, “you are a representative of our office at any time during the workday, as a matter of fact, even after hours, so conduct yourself accordingly.” EDWARD BURTON President CST Worldwide Dallas, Texas PPAI 38729, A3 I echo those saying to be direct. No reason to sendmass emails when everyone knows who it is. I just don’t think anyone appreciates passive-aggressive comments or non-direct communication. You don’t have to be a jerk by anymeans, but I see nothing wrong with telling them the need tomake some adjustments. If that creates an issue with an employee, you havemuch bigger issues to deal with. Providing something branded is also a great idea, but you still need to tell them it’s required or set expectations. JOSH ROBBINS Co-owner Vault Promotions Henderson, Tennessee PPAI 547406, S3 Are these Zoom calls internal or with customers? If with customers, insist they wear company-branded apparel on the Zoom call as another way of showing what your company can do and to put forth their best-case professional selves. My company provides several pieces of apparel to all employees at no cost as long as we put our logo on it. Lastly, if this is an internal meeting, I’d question why you’re having them in the first place, and how important it actually is to see everyone on the call. From a commission-only salesperson’s perspective, company meetings are the biggest waste of time unless they’re with factory reps showing new items. Even then, no one needs to see me on those calls. It tends to be trending since so many businesses went to virtual meetings in 2020, but every meeting I’ve ever sat in, regardless of the sales gig, could have been handled with a simple email. CRAIG A. KOHLER Sales Representative Treetop Enterprises Hillsboro, Missouri Buckling Down On Dressing For Zoom I have an employee whose dress is sometimes questionable since the work-from-home shift. How should I approach the issue of dressing more presentably for Zoom meetings? 12 | MAY 2021 | INNOVATE