EMPLOYERS should make it clear to staff where the boundaries lie when it comes to clothing in hot weather, a Nottingham solicitor has warned.
With temperatures set to top 30C, many workers will be tempted to dress for the weather.
But in many lines of work, this may not be appropriate, according to Angela Shaw, employment solicitor at Lanshaws Solicitors, in Regent Street, in the city centre.
She said: "Employees often consider the rise in temperature as an excuse to relax a dress code. However, this may not always be appropriate depending on the role of the individual and the work being undertaken.
"Where an employee has a client or customer-facing role, flip-flops and vest tops are unlikely to promote a professional image.
"And it is easy to understand how variations in clothing could contravene health and safety regulations to the detriment of both the employer and employee, particularly where injury could arise as a result."
She added: "Employers should have a written dress code policy which is clearly communicated to all employees. It should state what is deemed to be acceptable at all times when working for the business and what the consequences will be for breaching it.
"Each case should be individually assessed but rules applied consistently and fairly.
"Failure to adhere to a policy will most likely result in disciplinary action being taken."