Mixing warmth, comfort, and professionalism isn’t always an easy feat. While proper layering and insulation are crucial for optimal work performance, many companies forbid their employees from wearing certain types of winter-friendly attire due to requiring a more professional appearance. For this reason, clothing items such as hoodies are often a controversial topic when it comes to workplace attire.
Here are 11 jobs that allow wearing hoodies:
- Target
- UPS
- Michaels
- Walmart
- Amazon
- DHL
- Home Depot
- CVS
- Lowe’s
- Jamba Juice
- FedEx
And 7 that don’t:
- Subway
- KFC
- McDonald’s
- AMC Theatres
- Starbucks
- Burger King
- Taco Bell
In the following sections, I’ll take you through each of these companies’ dress policies to help you better understand the type of layering they allow their employees to wear. This guide can help you make a well-informed decision before applying for a position in any of these companies, especially if comfort and the creative freedom of choosing your outfit are especially important to you.
Jobs That Allow Wearing Hoodies
1. Target
Target allows its employees to wear hoodies as long as they meet their color and design requirements. During cold fall and winter seasons, the company encourages its employees to wear warmer tops, including hoodies, to avoid any possible discomfort.
However, you’re not allowed to wear any hoodie. Your top of choice should be red and without any visible logos or graphic designs. In short, any plain red hoodie will do.
Keep in mind that even though the company’s attire policy allows its employees to wear any type of sweatshirt, local managers often don’t support these types of garments. For this reason, it may be worth checking your store’s regulations before taking a hoodie to work.
2. UPS
As you’ll see in the following sections, UPS and other shipping companies are usually very lax in their dress codes. In fact, the only rigid attire requirement that the company imposes on its workers is the necessity of wearing boots. Otherwise, you can choose any type of clothing you feel most comfortable in.
UPS allows its employees to wear hoodies, as there are no attire regulations preventing you from doing so in the company’s dress code. Additionally, apart from your footwear, you can freely choose the work attire that you feel optimizes your performance.
Therefore, if you’re a UPS employee, it might be time to stock up on hoodies, as the company’s building can get especially cold during wintertime. Furthermore, any additional layers are encouraged to help you feel as warm and comfortable as possible during your workday.
3. Michaels
Michaels allows its employees to wear hoodies, along with any other attire they feel comfortable in, as long as it’s not deemed “inappropriate.” This term may be subjective, so it’s always worth checking your specific location’s dress code before choosing your outfit of the day.
Additionally, the provided store vests aren’t mandatory, and you can choose to add them or another piece (such as a hoodie) as a warm layer during fall and winter.
Furthermore, they don’t have any regulations regarding makeup, hair color, or piercings, so if you appreciate the creative freedom of altering your appearance, Michaels is an excellent location to work at.
They only have a few regulations regarding the bottoms you can wear, as they don’t allow skirts, shorts, leggings, or similarly informal clothing.
4. Walmart
Walmart generally allows its employees to wear hoodies, as there aren’t any hard-set rules in the company’s policy that prohibit them. However, regulations can vary from location to location; therefore, it may be worth checking with your manager before turning up at work wearing a hoodie.
Usually, the company encourages comfortable, warm attire. Additionally, most locations also allow graphic designs on your hoodies and T-shirts, meaning you’ll be equipped with some additional creative freedom when choosing your outfit.
5. Amazon
Amazon allows its employees to wear hoodies. However, there are some caveats to this policy. You’ll only be able to wear a hoodie to work as long as it doesn’t have strings. This rule applies to any other item of clothing as well, as it can be hazardous in a warehouse.
Furthermore, policies and regulations can always vary from one location to another; therefore, checking with your manager might be necessary before making a clothing decision. Given that you’ll be working in a warehouse with no direct contact with your clients, these restrictions are less appearance-based than they are safety-based.
Generally speaking, baggy-fitting attire can often be hazardous in a warehouse environment. Therefore, even if you choose to wear a hoodie to work, make sure it’s well-fitted to avoid possible accidents.
6. DHL
DHL is another company that allows its employees to wear hoodies. As previously mentioned, this lax attire code is normal with most shipping companies, as the majority of their employees will never come in direct contact with clients.
Their dress code allows for almost any comfortable attire, as long as it’s not inappropriate or hazardous. Some branches even allow their employees to wear leggings or sweatpants. However, depending on your location, regulations may vary.
7. Home Depot
Home Depot allows its employees to wear hoodies. Most managers won’t have a problem with layering, as long as it doesn’t affect your job. On the contrary, keeping as warm as possible is encouraged during colder months.
In certain locations, their stores can get pretty cold; therefore, keeping a hoodie with you in case it gets chilly is never a bad idea. Some workers even report having to wear coats and jackets to stay warm during their shift.
8. CVS
CVS employees are also allowed to wear hoodies. The dress code accounts for possible layering during colder months, as long as the name tag is placed outside and is fully visible.
Additionally, you can also wear other types of jackets and fleeces to keep warm, although it’s always a good idea to preemptively check with your location’s manager if it’s okay to do so.
CVS stores can often feel very cold, making it hard for employees to work comfortably without any additional layers. For this reason, most locations aren’t opposed to their staff wearing sweatshirts and jackets during their shift. However, the type of attire allowed may vary from one branch to another, which is why checking your store’s policy first is always a good idea.
9. Lowe’s
Lowe’s allows its employees to wear hoodies. However, you should be careful regarding the design printed on them, as certain inappropriate logos and wordings are prohibited. Otherwise, you’re free to layer as you please during cold winter months to optimize your comfort and work performance.
10. Jamba Juice
Jamba Juice employees are allowed to wear hoodies; however, there are some design restrictions. The dress code doesn’t allow any visible designs or brand logos; however, plain-colored hoodies of any color are permitted during colder months when layering is necessary.
As always, policies and regulations can vary from one location to another. Therefore, it might be worth checking with your branch’s manager beforehand to ensure you won’t be violating any rules.
11. FedEx
FedEx is another shipping company that allows its employees to wear hoodies. Their dress code is very casual, and they rarely pay any attention to their staff’s attire as long as it’s not offensive or inappropriate.
Employees should wear plain, comfortable, warm clothing that allows them to easily operate during colder seasons. Layering is encouraged, as FedEx offers its own logoed hoodies and jackets to its staff.
Jobs That Don’t Allow Wearing Hoodies
1. Subway
Subway doesn’t allow its employees to wear hoodies. As you’ll see in the following sections, this is a trend with many companies operating in the food serving industry. Given that the staff employed in these establishments are in constant contact with a large number of customers, it’s important for them to embody a professional appearance.
Subway has its own mandatory uniform, which every employee has to wear. However, the company ensures that its establishments are temperature-regulated all year round, so their staff’s comfort and performance don’t suffer during cold winter months.
However, if you’ve been appointed with a task that requires you to exit the premises (such as taking out the trash), you can add another layer before heading out if the temperatures are too low.
2. KFC
KFC is another food establishment that doesn’t allow its employees to wear hoodies. Their company policy requires their staff to wear the company-provided uniform, and any additional layers aren’t allowed.
KFC’s dress policy is a bit stricter than most companies mentioned in this list. They have specific requirements for their employees’ hair color, piercing, and facial hair. For example, while thin mustaches can be allowed, full beards aren’t considered safe around food, meaning employees either have to shave them off or wear a net at all times.
3. McDonald’s
McDonald’s doesn’t allow its employees to wear hoodies. In fact, there’s not much else staff is allowed to wear except the company’s own uniform. When you get accepted for a position at McDonald’s, the company will provide you with a uniform consisting of a shirt, black, a hat, and a name badge.
Additionally, you’ll be required to wear specific types of bottoms and footwear. McDonald’s dress code policy is pretty tight, as they highly value their image and the impression they make on their customers.
Furthermore, your uniform should always be clean, ironed, and free from alterations. Luckily the premises are constantly kept at an appropriate temperature even during cold winter months, meaning it’s unlikely you’ll ever feel the need for a hoodie in the first place.
4. AMC Theaters
Those working at AMC Theaters aren’t allowed to wear hoodies during their shift. However, given that their premises can get cold during winter months, you can wear a plain colored jacket over your uniform as long as your name tag is visible.
Alternatively, the company will provide you with a jacket you can borrow if you feel uncomfortably cold during your shift.
5. Starbucks
Starbucks doesn’t allow its employees to wear hoodies. The company provides its staff with a standard uniform. That’s the only acceptable attire inside the premises, which are usually equipped with excellent temperature control devices.
However, for employees working outdoors or at the drive-through window, they allow the addition of a plain colored jacket or coat as long as there are no visible designs or wording on them.
6. Burger King
Burger King employees aren’t allowed to wear hoodies. As you can see in their dress code policy, every staff member must have the company-provided uniform at all times. New employees can get their attire free of charge as soon as they’re accepted for a position.
According to their policy, the company requires employees to embody a polished and professional look. For this reason, in addition to full compliance with their uniforms, they require male staff members to fully shave their beards and neatly trim their mustaches.
Additionally, name tags should be worn at all times, while long hair should be pulled away from the face at all times. As you can see, Burger King is one of the stricter companies regarding dress code leniency. They even require their managers to wear a white shirt with a tie during their shift.
Therefore, those looking for a less strict work environment that allows them to express themselves through fashion might want to look into applying elsewhere,
7. Taco Bell
Taco Bell doesn’t allow its employees to wear hoodies. As other foodservice companies mentioned on this list, Taco Bell’s dress code requires its staff to wear the mandatory, company-provided uniform, which should always be spotless and wrinkle-free. The same goes for any visible undershirt during colder winter months.
When it comes to other fashion accessories, the company’s policy tends to vary from one location to another. However, they generally encourage minimal makeup and visible piercings and tattoos.
Nail polishes and some jewelry are allowed, but they should be covered by those working in the food prep area due to health safety concerns. Additionally, they put a lot of emphasis on having a clean, legible name tag on you at all times.
At this point, it’s generally safe to say that those looking to work in an environment that allows them to express themselves through fashion should steer away from big food industry franchises that often are pretty rigid when it comes to their staff’s uniforms.
However, if your need to wear a hoodie comes purely from a practical standpoint, you won’t have to worry about getting cold in these establishments. They always aim to offer their employees comfortable working conditions.
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