Dress Codes can have some value but employers make too big a deal out of them
So my friend works (or worked) as a Produce Clerk at a grocery store. This guy's job consisted of literally arranging fruits and vegetables onto the counters and spent 50% of his time in the back where he didn't have to interact with customers. His company's dress code consisted of their shirt with the logo, black jeans, and black shoes. He'd been there for a couple months and got in trouble twice for violating the dress code, one of which was his first day since they never communicated this to him on orientation day. Mind you, the "violations" consisted of him wearing slightly off colour dark jeans and shoes that weren't fully black. He's also a student and has tons of work, and is working 32 hours a week, so obviously sometimes his brain isn't working 100%. Hold on to that
Yesterday, he had a very early shift in the morning and didn't get a whole lot of sleep the night before because of school. As a result of being up early and not fully awake, he showed up to work with the correct shirt. 156
Correct pants. The only flaw? His shoes weren't fully black. They were Reeboks with white stripes. Fired on the spot. This guy had worked 32 hours a week (more than anyone actually), always on time, got good reviews from customers, quick learner, sacrificed his sleep and study times, and this is how they treated him. Fired him because there was some white on his shoes. And for what? Are the customers going to complain? Is he showing a bad display for the company? Like I'm sorry but I've never went to a grocery store and checked or cared what pants or shoes anyone was wearing. As long as they have the company shirt to show that they work there and can help, I think that's all that matters.
Say what you will about office jobs but none of the ones I've worked are this regarded about small stuff like dress codes. 156