1201 A4 Dress Code Guidelines

:release-date:06/01/2007

Georgia Department of Human Services
Human Resources Policy #1201 A4

Dress Code Guidelines

Employee appearance contributes to the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) culture and reputation. Employees are expected to present themselves in a professional manner that results in a favorable impression by colleagues, clients and customers.

It is the responsibility of every person working for DHS to adhere to this policy. This dress code applies to all employees, students, interns, work-study personnel, and volunteers. The DHS dress code does not discriminate against an individual on the basis of race, sex, age, genetic information, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability. Employees should familiarize themselves with the policy and dress code guidelines. Employees should consult with their immediate supervisor or their designated Human Resources Representative for additional guidance.

Section A: Attire Examples

The Department recognizes three categories of dress in the workplace: Business Professional, Business Casual, and Casual. These are the standard of dress required Monday through Friday.
Business Professional attire is the standard of dress expected of all employees, specifically those in an office setting. Appropriate clothing includes:
1. Men: Suits, sports coats, ties, dress shirts, and slacks
2. Women: Suits, dresses, skirts, blouses, and slacks
  
  As a reminder, telework spaces are considered an extension of the office setting. Employees should always be prepared for on-camera appearances.
Business Casual attire is a less formal version of business professional but should always be neat, clean, and suitable for the workplace. If lettered or illustrated attire is worn, it should not promote a particular political, moral, religious, personal, or other opinion. Attire, which is obscene, vulgar, offensive or inflammatory is prohibited. Appropriate clothing includes:
1. Dress pants or capris.
2. Casual dresses and skirts; skirt length should be at a length at which you can sit comfortably in public.
3. Casual shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, polo shirts, turtlenecks, suit jackets or sport jackets.
4. Comfortable shoes such as walking shoes, loafers, boots, flats and dress heels.
  
  Heel heights should be sensible and aid the employee in preventing workplace accidents. Heel height should not prevent the employee from performing the essential functions of their job.
Inappropriate Business Casual Attire includes but are not limited to:
1. Jeans, or denim of any kind, sweatpants, exercise pants, skinny jeans, shorts, leggings, and any spandex or other form-fitting pants.
  
  Employees can wear leggings under a sweater dress or a skirt if the length of the sweater dress or skirt is appropriate.
2. Short and/or tight skirts, miniskirts, shorts, skorts, sun dresses, beach dresses, and spaghetti strap dresses.
3. Tank tops, crop tops, shirts with potentially offensive words, terms, logos, pictures, cartoons, slogans, halter-tops, sweatshirts, and t-shirts unless worn under another blouse, shirt, jacket, or dress.
  
  Clothing that reveals your back, chest or stomach is not appropriate.
4. Athletic shoes, flip-flops, slippers (to include thong slippers), or plastic shoes.
Supervisors may approve exceptions to permit the wearing of jeans and athletic shoes only in appropriate circumstances (e.g., during an office move or site visit where business casual attire would not be recommended). Otherwise, athletic shoes are not to be worn in the office during the normal workday unless medically necessary. Medical documentation from a health care provider requiring the wearing of athletic shoes in the workplace must be submitted to the Office of Human Resources (OHR) for approval.
Casual Attire is a more relaxed form of business casual, while still remaining professional. Casual days will be allowed periodically as announced by the agency, division, or office approving authority or designee. Casual days are typically reserved for Fridays. Appropriate clothing includes the following:
1. Dress pants or capris.
2. Jeans, denim skirts, dresses and unmarked t-shirts. This policy does not allow jeans with rips, dirty jeans, jeans that sag or jeans that are too tight.
3. Casual dresses and skirts; skirt length should be at a length at which you can sit comfortably in public.
4. Casual shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, polo shirts, turtlenecks, suit jackets or sport jackets.
5. Comfortable shoes such as walking shoes, loafers, boots, flats, and dress heels.
Court Attire is Business Professional attire and must be worn for any court appearance, whether as a participant in a case, a witness, or an observer. This not only helps maintain decorum but shows respect for the judicial system. Casual attire is prohibited in any courtroom by DHS employees. Appropriate clothing includes:
1. Men: Suits, sports coats, ties, dress shirts, and slacks
2. Women: Suits, dresses, skirts, blouses, and slacks

Section B: GROOMING AND PERSONAL HYGIENE

Hair Care and Accessories – Hair should be clean, combed, and neatly trimmed or arranged. Hair should be styled in manner that does not interfere with job performance. Unneat hair is not permissible regardless of length.
Body Art – In order to ensure a professional environment, visible tattoos with the potential to be perceived by anyone as distracting, derogatory, offensive or controversial should be covered at all times. Face and neck tattoos should be covered at all times.
Piercings – Jewelry and piercings should be kept to a minimum and should not hinder or interfere with job performance. Large hoop earrings are not allowed. Nose rings are permissible if they are small in size, circular hoops and do not cause distraction in the workplace. Management should contact OHR before directing an employee to remove a piercing.

The cost of any covering or removal of body art, tattoos, or body piercings is the responsibility of the employee.
Personal Hygiene – Fragrances such as perfume, cologne, and after-shave should not be excessive or offensive to others. Makeup can be used for enhancing one’s appearance. Extreme colors that could detract from a professional image are not acceptable.
Reasonable Accommodation for Religious Practices – Hairstyles, clothing, body art, piercings and/or accessories associated with religious practices will be given appropriate consideration for reasonable accommodation based on the nature of the job and supporting documentation. Employees should consult with their designated Human Resources Representative for reasonable accommodation for religious practices.

SECTION C: POLICY ADHERENCE

Employees can be required by any member of management to change inappropriate dress or be instructed not to wear the same or similar attire in the future. Should it be necessary for the employee to return home to change attire, the employee will be required to use annual leave, compensatory time, personal leave or leave without pay during the period of absence.
Ensuring consistent administration of the guidelines of this policy is the responsibility of all levels of management. Decisions regarding the appropriateness of attire and the procedures to be followed will be made on a case-by-case basis by management and the designated Human Resources Representative. Factors to be considered include, but are not limited to:
1. Client or customer proximity.
2. Work function of the unit.
3. Determination that the attire does not comply with this policy.
4. Complaints received.

Employees who do not comply with established dress code standards may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from employment.