Dress and appearance policy template

Overview

The Company wishes to portray a professional business image to its clients and customers. As a result, the Company operates minimum standards of dress and appearance, which requires employees to dress in a manner that is suitable and appropriate to the Company's business.

Scope

This policy is applicable to all employees of [company name].

General principles

All employees are required to be neat, clean, well-groomed and presentable whilst at work, whether working on the Company's premises or elsewhere on Company business.

[You will be required to wear a staff uniform consisting of [insert details] which the Company will provide. The Company will provide you with [insert number] sets of uniform in your size and you will be responsible for its laundry. On the termination of your employment, you will be required to return your uniform on your last day of work. If you fail to do so, you agree that the Company shall be entitled to deduct a sum equal to the second-hand replacement value of your uniform from your final salary payment.]

If as part of your job duties you come into contact with the Company's clients or customers, you must adhere to the following minimum dress and appearance standards:

• you should wear a business suit (comprising jacket plus co-ordinating trousers, skirt or dress) in a discreet colour and a smart shirt or blouse whilst working. Male employees must also wear a tie*
• you should wear smart shoes in a discreet, dark colour*
• hair should be kept neat and well-groomed and hairstyles and hair colours should be conventional*
• jewellery should be kept to a minimum and you should not wear more than one set of earrings. Any earrings worn must be small and unobtrusive*
• nose rings, eyebrow rings and other facial piercings are prohibited*
• tattoos should be kept covered and should not be visible.*

(*Delete as appropriate)

Even if your job does not bring you into contact with the Company's clients or customers, the following are still classed as unacceptable attire for all employees:

• jeans, leggings, combat trousers or torn trousers*
• shorts or miniskirts*
• sports clothing, for example tracksuits and football shirts*
• t-shirts*
• trainers*
• excessive jewellery.*

(*Delete as appropriate)

If your job brings you into contact with machinery, for health and safety reasons your hair must be kept short or tied back at all times and you must not wear jewellery other than a wedding/engagement ring.

Finally, the Company accepts that members of certain ethnic or religious groups are subject to strict religious or cultural requirements in terms of their clothing and appearance. Subject to necessary health and safety requirements, the Company will not insist on dress rules which run counter to the cultural norms of such employees. If you are uncertain as to whether a particular item of clothing is acceptable or not, please speak to [insert name of contact].

If you fail to comply with the above rules, this is a serious matter and will be dealt with in accordance with the Company's disciplinary procedure. In addition, depending on the circumstances of the case, you may be required to go home and change your clothing. If this happens, you have no right to be paid for the period of your absence from work.