Dress Code Policy for Non-Instructional Employees
Revised July 2004
I. Purpose
To establish basic guidelines for appropriate work dress that promotes a positive image of the University while also allowing maximum flexibility to maintain good morale; respect individual religious, racial, gender-specific, and ethnic attire; and give due consideration to safety and sound business practice.
II. Responsibility
Although the University dress code policy is an effort to establish some broad parameters, most departments and offices have at least some uniqueness in terms of operating needs, such as public expectations and safety. Therefore, regulations of employee dress will be managed at the departmental level. Departments and offices may establish more stringent requirements, based on sound business needs, but may not establish lower standards than those set forth herein.
III. School Year Standard
This is the basic standard for the academic year, when classes are in session.
A. Faculty - This policy is not intended to apply to instructional faculty employees.
B. Professional, Managerial, Academic, and Administrative Support Employees - This group is the majority of office employees, such as non-instructional professional employees in positions where a degree or advanced technical training is normally required; office support, secretarial, and program support employees. Attire will be “business dress.” For the purpose of this policy, “business dress” is defined minimally as slacks or skirt with shirt or blouse or dress, but some professional positions may require a tie and/or sports coat or suit, at the senior managers’ discretion. As a general rule of thumb, the higher level the position and the more contact with the general public, the higher the dress standard.
C. Facilities Employees (Except Managerial/Administrative) - This group of employees consists of trades, grounds, heating plant, custodial, and summer facilities employees. Uniforms and safety shoes may be required by the department or office but if not required, attire should be clean and neat. As a rule of thumb, cutoffs, sweat suits, baggy-style pants, and sandals are not acceptable.
D. Work-Study Students - Students frequently work in support of regular department employees in return for state and federal financial aid subsidies. Dress for student employees is casual but not controversial. Some consideration must be given to the fact that students have limited means and are usually working between classes. If safety clothing or equipment is deemed necessary by the department, such clothing or equipment will be furnished by the department. Tee-shirts bearing language or art which is likely to offend others, torn clothing, unkempt appearance, or revealing clothing which exposes parts of the body typically covered in that work setting should be avoided.
IV. Summer, School Year Vacation/Break Periods, and Friday Standard
This is the basic standard for after Commencement until the beginning of fall classes. It also covers periods when classes are not in session due to school “breaks” and Fridays.
A. Professional, Managerial, Academic and Administrative Support Employees - Attire will be “business casual.” The principal differences between business dress and business casual are increased informality, such as the absence of a tie; the substitution of a polo shirt for a dress shirt; the substitution of a sweater for a sports coat for men; and more informal skirts, dresses, pants, and shoes for women.
1. Exceptions for Some Departments/Offices - Business casual dress in some departments and offices may necessarily be “dressier” than in others due to the nature and frequency of contacts with the general public, the Board of Visitors or government officials.
2. Exceptions for Specific Meetings/Events - Anytime scheduled meetings or other work commitments involve the general public, outside business representatives, members of the Board of Visitors, or government employees outside the University, good judgment in choice of attire is expected. This will normally mean wearing business dress attire for that day.
B. Facilities Employees (Except Managerial/Administrative) - This is the same as the School Year Standard, as outlined above.
V. Special Issues
A. Religious, Racial, Gender-Specific, or Ethnic Attire - Nothing in the University dress code policy is intended to abridge rights at law relating to non-discrimination or hinder the advancement of diversity at the University. Significant flexibility in freedom of choice will be shown in relation to religious or ethnic attire. If controversies arise, the opinion of the Attorney General, Commonwealth of Virginia, will be sought and relied on by the parties to the controversy.
B. Facial Hair, Jewelry, and Hairstyles - Nothing in the University dress code policy is intended to regulate individual choices such as beards, jewelry, and hairstyles. Job-related safety when operating potentially dangerous machinery with moving parts or jobs with public health considerations such as serving or cooking food may nevertheless require some personal adjustments.