Dress codes within the work place are typically established by the employer and can often be dictated by the profession and/or industry. In circumstances where dress codes are required by safety regulations the employer can not modify or trump state or federal regulations such as OSHA requirements.

In general, most employers do find it beneficial to institute an employee dress code as a way to project a professional atmosphere within the workplace. Dress codes can be enforceable by the employer in either verbal or written forms, although written dress codes reduce confusion and misinterpretations. Dress codes requirements are often discussed in an employee handbook if the employer provides one; otherwise it is typically part of the application process when the employee begins their employment.

Dress codes must balance an employee's legitimate needs and avoid any appearances of discrimination with that of an employer's legitimate business reasoning for their dress code policy. Therefore it is important for dress codes to establish meaningful and reasonable standards, yet dress codes can and often differ depending on the position an employee holds within an organization. This being, executives and upper management professionals within company may have different dress code standards then those of manufacturing or skilled-labor employees.

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