3. Why?
Keep the workplace free from unnecessary
distractions and annoyances
Neat and clean appearance
Appropriate for setting and work to be
performed
Professional, business-like image to clients
Acceptable personal appearance is an
ongoing requirement of employment
4. Example
Any staff member who does not meet the attire
or grooming standards set by his or her
department will be subject to corrective action
and may be asked to leave the premises to
change clothing. Hourly paid staff members
will not be compensated for any work time
missed because of failure to comply with
designated workplace attire and grooming
standards.
5.
6. Business Attire
For men, business attire includes a long-
sleeved dress shirt, tie, tailored sport coat
worn with dress trousers (not khakis) and
dress shoes.
For women, business attire includes tailored
pantsuits, businesslike dresses, coordinated
dressy separates worn with or without a blazer,
and conservative, closed-toe shoes.
7. Can my employer tell me how to
dress?
Yes. In general, employers are allowed to regulate
their employees' appearance, as long as they do not
end up discriminating against certain employees. It is
very common, for example, for an employer to require
his/her employees to wear a uniform so that all
employees appear uniform.
In today's work world, more employers are requiring
more formal attire. While in the last decade there was
a trend for employers to be more laid back, and they
allowed such things as "casual Friday," in the last
three to four years, some employers are taking a step
back towards requiring a more formal way of dressing.
Many employers feel that more formal attire means
more productive employees.
8. Can my employer tell me how to
groom?
Yes. Your employer is allowed to tell you how
to groom, at the very least to the extent that
your employer is simply asking you to be
generally clean and presentable on the job.
9. Is it legal for my boss to allow
different grooming policies for men
and women?
Yes. Employers are allowed to enforce
different dress code standards for women and
men. However, they may not impose a greater
burden on either gender.
Example: long hair
10. Is my boss allowed to tell me to
cover up my tattoos and piercings?
Yes. Many employers are worried that
piercings or tattoos will offend customers and
they are allowed to tell you to cover your "body
art".
