Policy No.

105

Dress Protocols for Staff

2016 - 2017

Manager: Personnel Manager

Reviewed: September 2016
Next Review & Impact Assessment: September 2017
Epping Forest College is committed to achieving a working environment which
provides equality of opportunity and freedom from unlawful discrimination on the
grounds of race, sex, pregnancy and maternity, marital or civil partnership status,
gender reassignment, disability, religion or beliefs, age or sexual orientation.

Scope

This policy applies to all employees of Epping Forest College (permanent , fixed
term, hourly paid or agency) and should be read in conjunction with Staff Protocols,
Single Equality and Health & Safety Policies of which it forms part.

Policy Statement

EFC recognises that, like most organisations, all employees act as representatives
of the organisation and should therefore be dressed accordingly. Employees
personal appearance and hygiene are important both to Employees and the Colleg e
The way in which EFC employees dress and present themselves plays an important
part in the image that EFC portrays to students, clients, suppliers, and the general
public. For this reason, you are asked to be aware of the way you present yourself
and to adhere to the dress code policy at all times when representing EFC.

Employees are expected to maintain a good personal appearance and to give

consideration to neatness and cleanliness. Employees should always dress in a
manner befitting their job.

Whilst it is appreciated that those employees who are likely to deal with the public or
clients of EFC should dress accordingly, it is recognised that for those employees
who are visiting work placements, should wear clothing appropriate to the nature of
their work (in conjunction with Health and Safety regulations).

1. Dress Code Requirements

Discretion in style of dress and behaviour is essential to the image and the safe and
efficient operation of EFC. Staff members are expected to dress in a manner
appropriate to their working environment and to the type of work performed.
Employees, in conjunction with advice from their managers, may use their judgement
regarding their dress code and their schedule of activities should determine work
attire.

It is expected that EFC employees will apply a common sense approach to the dress
code and dress in an appropriate manner.

It would be expected that, on occasions when employees are meeting with external
visitors from other organisations, or interviewing students, that they would dress in
an appropriate conventional business-like manner.

Employees must abide by the safety policies and procedures and wear required
protective clothing and safety equipment both in the College or should they be
visiting work placements which require such.

Manager: Personnel Manager

Reviewed: September 2016
Next Review & Impact Assessment: September 2017
All staff who work with learners should ensure they are dressed appropriately for the
tasks and the work they undertake.

Those who dress in a manner which could be considered as inappropriate could

render themselves vulnerable to criticism or allegations.

1.1 This means that all staff should wear clothing which:

is appropriate to their role within the College

is not likely to be viewed as offensive, revealing, or sexually provocative
does not distract, cause embarrassment or give rise to misunderstanding
is absent of any political or otherwise contentious slogans
is not considered to be discriminatory and is culturally sensitive
An employee should take into consideration any job specific safety concerns
when determining what attire is appropriate. For example, employees who
regularly work with machinery or lifting heavy material should wear slip
resistant closed- toe shoes, protective head gear and highvisibility clothing

Specific Requirements

All staff are seen as role models for students at the College irrespective of where
they work and should promote an appropriate work ready appearance. It is important
that all staff lead by example

Front Line Staff such as Reception and Security should dress in smart blazers and
trousers to provide a business like appearance to all students, customers and
visitors to the College.

Student Support Staff should wear clothing appropriate to the areas they support in
taking note of 1.1 and 2

Curriculum Staff with physical and or practical elements to their delivery should wear
clothing/appropriate uniforms to encourage the students to dress appropriately for
their chosen industry.

2. Inappropriate Attire

The following should be taken into consideration when defining what is regarded as
inappropriate clothing for the workplace:

tattered jeans or shorts

shirts with language or graphics that are vulgar, sexually explicit, or may
otherwise be offensive

attire that is revealing or provocative

Manager: Personnel Manager

Reviewed: September 2016
Next Review & Impact Assessment: September 2017
 flip-flops or any type of loose footwear

sweat suits

any articles of clothing or jewellery which may present a Health and Safety
hazard for students or employees

Any clothing, jewellery, or tattoo that conveys a negative statement toward a

race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, or is otherwise
considered harassing or offensive is forbidden.

Your supervisor or department manager is responsible for adherence to this policy. If

your supervisor feels your personal appearance is inappropriate, you may be asked
to leave the workplace and return properly dressed or groomed.

The above are just a few examples of what would be regarded as inappropriate attire
for the workplace; however employees are reminded that if they have any doubts in
their own mind as to whether an article of clothing is appropriate, then it is likely that
others will share this doubt and may be offended, and the article of clothing should
therefore not be worn.

3. Religious and Cultural Dress

EFC accepts that it is policy that the wearing of religious and cultural dress (including
clerical collars, head scarves, skull caps and turbans) is allowable and must not be
discouraged. The exception to this protocol is where health & safety will be
compromised by the wearing of such dress and/or where this is likely to enhance the
risk to other persons or impact on teaching and learning.

The following points should be borne in mind:

Some religions and cultures require a certain mode of dress; for example, the
wearing of compulsory items, such as bangles (kara) as worn by Sikh men and
women.
Priority will be given to health and safety requirements, as laid down by national
legislation. Where appropriate, advice may be sought from EFCs Health and Safety
Officer.

Manager: Personnel Manager

Reviewed: September 2016
Next Review & Impact Assessment: September 2017