1201 A4 Dress Code Guidelines

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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.

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. Consult with their immediate supervisor for more specific questions regarding what is, and is not, permitted.

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.

Attire Examples

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, white or colored dress shirts, and slacks.

  2. Women: Suits, dresses, skirts, white or colored blouses, and slacks.

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.

Employees whose work does not fall into Business Professional or who are not currently engaged in Business Professional activities or Environmental attire may wear Business Casual attire. Appropriate clothing includes:

  1. Slacks, dockers, or capris slacks.

  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, tops, golf type shirts, and turtlenecks; suit jackets or sport jackets.

  4. Conservative oxford style or walking shoes; loafers, clogs, boots, flats, dress heels, and leather deck type shoes.

Inappropriate Business Casual attire includes but are not limited to:

  1. Jeans, or denim of any kind, sweatpants, exercise pants, Bermuda shorts, bib overalls, skinny jeans, leggings, and any spandex or other form-fitting pants.

  2. Short and/or tight skirts, miniskirts, shorts, skorts, sun dresses, beach dresses, and spaghetti strap dresses.

  3. Tank tops; midriff tops; shirts with potentially offensive words, terms, logos, pictures, cartoons, or slogans; halter-tops, tops that expose bare shoulders; sweatshirts, and t-shirts unless worn under another blouse, shirt, jacket, or dress.

  4. Any item that causes undue attention to anatomical features and/or details of the individual’s physique is prohibited.

  5. Bright colored athletic shoes, flip-flops, slippers (to include thong slippers), or plastic shoes.

Supervisors may approve exceptions to permit the wearing of jeans and sneakers only in appropriate circumstances, e.g., during an office move or site visit where business casual attire would not be recommended. Otherwise, sneakers 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 sneakers 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. It is typically reserved for Fridays. Appropriate clothing include the following:

  1. Slacks, dockers, or capris slacks.

  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, tops, golf type shirts, and turtlenecks; suit jackets or sport jackets.

  4. Conservative oxford style or walking shoes; loafers, clogs, boots, flats, dress heels, and leather deck type shoes.

  5. Jeans and unmarked T-Shirts (including denim skirts or dresses). This policy does not allow jeans with rips, dirty jeans, jeans that sag or jeans that are too tight.

Court Attire: Business Professional attire 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 and Environmental attire are prohibited for wear in any courtroom by DHS employees. Appropriate clothing includes:

  1. Men: Suits, sports coats, ties, white or colored dress shirts, and slacks.

  2. Women: Suits, dresses, skirts, white or colored blouses, and slacks.

Additional Items:

  1. Hair Care and Accessories – Hair should be clean, combed, and neatly trimmed or arranged. Unkempt hair is not permissible regardless of length.

  2. Piercings and Body Art – In order to ensure a professional environment, visible body art, tattoos, and body piercings, with the exception of earrings are not allowed. Management may direct an employee to cover, or in the case of piercings, remove them. The cost of any covering or removal of body art, tattoos, or body piercings is the responsibility of the employee.

  3. Jewelry and makeup should be in good taste. Perfumes and colognes should not be excessive.

  4. Any item that causes undue attention to anatomical features and/or details of the individual’s physique is prohibited.

Reasonable Accommodation for Religious Practices – Hairstyles, clothing, body art, 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.

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.

Employees can be required by any member of management to change inappropriate dress or be instructed not to wear the same or similar dress in the future. Should it be necessary for the employee to return home to change clothes, 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 dress and the procedures to be followed will be made on a case-by-case basis by management and the appropriate 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 separation from employment.