Heat waves can do more than make your employees sweat. During the hottest months of the year, it can be a real challenge for employers to know how and when to draw the line to ensure that their employees are both staying cool and dressing appropriately for the workplace. Most employers note that summer months tend to test the boundaries of this issue. This occurs more frequently when a business has not reevaluated its dress code in recent years or when an employee handbook does not provide clear guidance that can be applied during all seasons of the year.

So how can employers beat the heat to balance their employees’ comfort while maintaining a professional atmosphere?

The best solution is to establish a clear dress code that focuses on professionalism while allowing for flexibility—balancing your business’s needs and your employees’ freedom to dress comfortably and confidently. While every business can benefit from a dress code, no dress code is one-size-fits-all, or one-season-fits-all. As a result, it is important to ask some crucial questions to evaluate whether your dress code is effective.

First, what dress code applies to your industry? Depending upon your business’s line of work, this question may dictate a significant portion of your dress code. What may be appropriate to wear in an office setting may be entirely inappropriate—if not dangerous—in another setting, such as a factory floor. Consider what hazards may be present at your business, what industry standards may be applicable, and what attire may be both functional and comfortable for the industry.

Second, does the dress code represent your business’s image appropriately? Even within the same industry, what might be ideal attire for one workplace may not be suitable for another. For example, while a high-end steakhouse and a trendy noodle shop may exhibit similar industry demands, a similar dress code may not be appropriate in both settings. Determining how you want your employees to present your business to the public, whether your employees are client-facing or internal, and to what extent it is fitting for your employees to have flexibility in choosing their attire are all important considerations.

Third, does the dress code sufficiently convey what employees can and cannot wear? Use clear and concise language to communicate expectations, provide real examples of clothing that is appropriate, and consider whether the dress code might need to change depending on factors like the season or your business’s work-from-home policy. If there are certain occasions where it is appropriate for your employees to dress outside of the standard policy, outline clearly when and where those occasions exist.

Finally, would your workplace benefit from having a seasonal dress code? Surviving the August heat may drive some employees to test the limits of an unclear dress code. To avoid this, it may be appropriate to set out specific seasonal guidelines to avoid any misinterpretations of your policy. Such guidelines should be designed to clarify whether portions of the dress code may be somewhat relaxed during the summer months and provide suggestions on ways to stay cool while staying professional.

Ineffective or unenforced dress codes can create confusion over what might be appropriate attire, especially during the hottest months of the year. Whether your business has a dress code or not, the summer months provide a great opportunity to evaluate and reassess your business’s needs for a dress code that provides clear and consistent guidance to your employees.