Clearly, one of your responsibilities as a manager is to create an environment for everyone that's safe and where they're able to focus on getting their work done. If someone's dressing in a way that's distracting or unsafe to themselves or to the rest of the workforce it may be difficult for anyone to work as productively as they could. You have a right, and indeed, an obligation as a manager to step in and make sure that you create an environment that's safe and productive for everyone.

General Rules for Talking About Dress or Grooming Issues
Before launching into a conversation with an employee that you believe has dress or grooming issues, consider whether you can meet these general rules:

• Have a dress and grooming code. It will be far easier to talk in the context of a specific code, less likely to be viewed as discriminatory or as if they're being singled out in some way. If you don't have one, work with HR or an employment attorney to create one as a part of your employee manual.
• Focus on performance. How does this particular dress or grooming issue impact performance? If it doesn't, STOP! You may be creating privacy, discrimination or other issues. For example, does the dress or grooming issue create a distraction for other employees or customers? Does the perfume or body odor create triggers for other employees' allergies? These are legitimate reasons to require a different dress or grooming. You have a right and, indeed, an obligation to try and create a productive workplace for everyone.
• Seek coaching from HR or your employment attorney. These conversations can be difficult. You need to role play with someone else first, if possible. Write out what you plan to say. Be prepared, otherwise, it's easy to get tongue tied on this difficult topic.
• Talk in private. These conversations can be very embarrassing to the employee who frequently has no idea how they're affecting other people. Make sure that you give them the privacy they need and deserve.
• Be specific. You need to tell them specifically what is wrong with what they're wearing or doing and what would make their situation comply with your policy. If this were a person with good judgment, they wouldn't be in this muddle so don't assume that they can guess what you mean and what you want without some very specific suggestions from you.
• Don't beat around the bush. Get to the point and tell the truth fast.
• Don't stereotype or discriminate. Be careful if you're counseling women but not men. Be careful that you're not requiring certain standards about masculine or feminine unless you're in the entertainment industry and can justify a difference based on that.
• As with any emotional issue, give the employee time to think about it and respond. Listen so that you can hear opportunities for joint problem solving.

But Isn't That Harassment or Discrimination?
Many managers, especially male ones, are afraid to confront women about their clothes, make-up or hair. While you may - if you're in this situation - want to consult with HR for some coaching before you approach this issue, you clearly have a right to discuss this in a way that is not harassment.

What you can't do is stereotype. Stereotyping can be a subtle form of discrimination and harassment. We all have some biases about one group or another. Most stereotypes probably are unconscious; they may even be well-meaning. It is so common, in fact, that for years it was not recognized as the basis for a discrimination lawsuit.