SRTC Procedure: Attire and Grooming

Objective

Southern Regional Technical College strives to project a positive, professional image and to maintain a workplace environment that functions well and is free from unnecessary distractions. As part of that effort, the college requires employees to maintain a neat and clean appearance that is appropriate for the workplace setting and for the work being performed.

Procedure

All Southern Regional Technical College staff members are expected to present a professional, businesslike image to clients, visitors, students, and the public. Acceptable personal appearance, like proper maintenance of work areas, is a condition of continued employment with Southern Regional Technical College.

Supervisors should communicate any department-specific workplace attire and grooming guidelines to staff members during the hiring process. Any questions about the department’s guidelines for attire should be discussed with the immediate supervisor.

Specific requirements

Certain staff members may be required to meet special dress, grooming and hygiene standards, such as wearing uniforms or protective clothing, depending on the nature of their job. Uniforms and protective clothing may be required for certain positions.

Reasonable accommodation of religious beliefs

Southern Regional Technical College recognizes the importance of individually held religious beliefs to persons within its workforce. Southern Regional Technical College will reasonably accommodate a staff member’s religious beliefs in terms of workplace attire unless the accommodation creates an undue hardship. Those requesting a workplace attire accommodation based on religious beliefs should request an accommodation by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Reasonable accommodation of disability

Southern Regional Technical College recognizes the importance of making reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. If an employee would like to request an accommodation to allow him/her to comply with the attire and grooming procedure, the employee should request an accommodation by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Business attire

All personnel working within classrooms or administrative buildings should wear business attire or business casual attire. Jeans and tennis shoes are not considered business casual attire and may only be worn on casual or dress-down days at the discretion of the president (see below). Hats, caps, and bandannas are not to be worn inside the buildings.

Faculty and staff members with primary duties in technical-industrial programs, maintenance, groundskeeping, or custodial functions may wear jeans, cargo-type work pants, or other canvas/twill type workpants as appropriate. All should present a neat appearance with no rips, frays, or excessive fading. No open-toed shoes or sandals should be worn by faculty and staff members involved in these activities. Those working around hazardous equipment/materials are to follow safety protocols when selecting attire. Staff working outdoors for extended periods of time may wear hats for sun protection and appropriate canvas or twill work shorts.

As appropriate, faculty may wear lab coats in clinical or lab settings.

Certain jobs may be exempt from portions of this procedure if following the procedure poses a safety risk. However, professional attire is required for on/off campus meetings with business/industry, special functions, and formal events.

Clothing that is ill-fitting, short, or see-through is not permitted. Undergarments should not be visible while sitting, standing, or bending. Tank tops, tube tops, and strapless tops are not appropriate unless worn under a jacket, blazer, or cardigan. Wording on apparel should be limited to manufacturer logos, monograms, and Southern Regional Technical College logos or designs.

Casual or dress-down days

At the discretion of the president or president’s designee, in special circumstances, such as during inclement weather or on special occasions, staff members may be permitted to dress down. On these occasions, staff members are still expected to present a neat appearance and are not permitted to wear ripped, frayed or disheveled clothing or athletic wear. Likewise, tight, revealing or otherwise workplace-inappropriate dress is not permitted. Staff will be allowed to wear jeans without rips or fraying with a dress shirt, SRTC T-shirt, collared embroidered shirt, and tennis or dress shoes. Faculty and staff will be notified in advance of dress-down days.

Violations of the attire and grooming procedure

Violations of the policy can range from inappropriate clothing items to offensive perfumes and poor personal hygiene. Any staff member who does not meet the attire or grooming standards may be subject to corrective action.

If questionable attire is worn by an employee, the immediate supervisor will notify the Director of Human Resources to facilitate a private discussion with the employee.

If a procedure violation occurs, the Vice President or his/her designee in conjunction with the Human Resources Department will hold a private discussion with the employee, and the employee will be asked to leave the premises to change clothing or correct grooming issues. Staff members will be required to take annual leave or leave without pay for any work time missed because of failure to comply with designated workplace attire and grooming standards.

Repeated procedure violations will result in disciplinary action, up to, and including termination.

Responsibility

The Director of Human Resources has the overall responsibility for ensuring this procedure is implemented.

Status:

Adopted: 06-28-2022