Professional Attire

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Administrative Guidelines
Professional Appearance

The staff of GIPS has an excellent local and regional reputation for professionalism, both in performance of their duties and in the image they project.

The district's objective, in establishing the professional appearance guidelines, are to enable employees to project a professional image while experiencing the comfort advantages of more casual and relaxed clothing. Business casual dress is the standard for these expectations.

Because all casual clothing is not suitable for the classroom or office, these guidelines will help determine what is appropriate to wear to work. Clothing that works well for the beach, yard work, dance clubs, exercise sessions, and sports contests may not be appropriate for a professional appearance at work.

Clothing that reveals a person's cleavage, back, chest, stomach or underwear is not appropriate for a professional work environment.

Even in a business casual work environment, clothing should not be wrinkled. Footwear should be polished (when appropriate) and free from excessive soiling.

Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is unacceptable. All seams must be finished. Any clothing that has words, terms, or pictures that may be offensive to students or other employees is unacceptable. Clothing that has the district or school name or logo is encouraged.

Certain days may be declared dress down days or theme days. The frequency of such events should not exceed one day per month. On these days, jeans (not faded, torn or frayed) and a more casual approach to dressing (although never potentially offensive to others) is allowed.

Below is a general overview of acceptable business casual attire. Items that are not appropriate for school or office are listed, too. Neither list is all-inclusive and both are open to change. The lists explain what is generally acceptable, and not acceptable, as business casual attire.

No dress code can address all contingencies so administrators must exert a certain amount of judgment in the standards enforced at your building. If you experience uncertainty about acceptable, professional business causal attire for work, feel free to discuss with another administrator, or call the Human Resources Department.

Due to the nature of duties performed, separate guidelines have been established for maintenance/operations, custodial and nutrition services staff (certain other production- oriented jobs may also be included). (See Custodial guidelines below)

Slacks, Pants, and Suit Pants

Slacks that are similar to Dockers and other makers of cotton or synthetic material pants, wool pants, flannel pants, Capri!=s and nice looking dress synthetic pants are acceptable.

Inappropriate slacks or pants include blue denim jeans, sweatpants, exercise pants, short shorts, shorts, Bermuda shorts, bib overalls, leggings, and any spandex or other form-fitting pants such as bike clothing.

Physical education staff may choose to wear clothing appropriate to their assignments, i.e. sweatpants, exercise pants, wind pants and shirts, so long as they do not display potentially offensive logos or other symbols. Such apparel also needs to be in good repair and free from excessive fading, tearing, and fraying. Tank tops, mesh (see through) and muscle shirts are unacceptable.

Skirts, Dresses, and Skirted Suits

Casual dresses and skirts, and skirts that are split at or below the knee, are acceptable. Dress and skirt length should be no shorter than four inches above the knee, or a length at which you can sit comfortably in public. Short, tight skirts that ride halfway up the thigh are inappropriate for school. Mini-skirts, sun dresses, beach dresses, and spaghetti-strap dresses are also inappropriate for the office or school. Skorts are acceptable so long as they are of a length and style that does not look like shorts.

Shirts, Tops, Blouses, and Jackets

Casual shirts, golf shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, knit and linen/silk tops, and turtlenecks are acceptable. Most suit jackets or sport jackets are also acceptable attire for the school/office, if they violate none of the listed guidelines. Inappropriate attire includes tank tops; sweatshirts; midriff tops, shirts with potentially offensive words, terms, logos, pictures, cartoons, or slogans; halter-tops; tops with bare shoulders or spaghetti straps; and t-shirts unless worn under another blouse, shirt, jacket, or jumper.

Shoes and Footwear

Loafers, boots, flats, clogs, sneakers, dress heels, and leather deck shoes are acceptable. Wearing no stockings is acceptable if the look is appropriate to the outfit. Athletic shoes, thongs (beach type), flip-flops (unless dress, leather style) and slippers are not acceptable at the school/office. Closed toe and closed heel shoes are required in the custodial and operations area (except office staff).

Jewelry, Makeup, Perfume, and Cologne

Staff use of jewelry, makeup, perfume and cologne should be in good taste and should not portray or reflect any image or message that could be considered offensive.

Body Piercing and Tattoos

Any visible/noticeable or otherwise distracting form of body piercing, other than ears, is inappropriate attire. Any type of body adornment that draws attention or is disruptive to the educational process is considered unacceptable.

Tattoos must be covered.

Hats and Head Covering

Hats are not appropriate in the classroom or office. Head covers that are required for religious purposes or to honor cultural tradition are allowed. (Modest, temporary head coverings utilized during medical treatments are acceptable)

Attire for Meetings

The expectations for professional attire will be the same for meetings both inside and outside the district (i.e. professional development days, conferences, district sponsored committees, parent meetings), unless otherwise stipulated by the administrator/supervisor in charge of the meeting. Meetings that do not involve students or parents and are outside of the normal contract/work schedule may be considered more casual, with the final decision resting with the administrator/supervisor in charge.

Custodial Staff

Due to the nature of the work performed, attire guidelines for custodial staff are different from other classroom and office positions.

Custodial staff may wear shirts/tops that are of either a pullover or button front style, with or without a collar. The primary concern is that the shirt/top is clean, well maintained (absent of holes, rips and fraying) and free of excessive wrinkles. Additionally, the shirt/top should not have any logos, pictures or other insignia that could be considered offensive or disruptive to the educational process.

Pants/slacks should also be clean, well maintained (absent of holes, rips fraying) and free of excessive wrinkling. Denim and other cotton work pants would be considered the normal pant/slack for custodial work. Seasonally (April - October), custodial staff may wear a "pant style" short that is of a length that reaches to at least within 4 inches of the knee. Shorts must be hemmed (no cut offs or jean shorts). Athletic style (nylon, mesh) gym shorts are not acceptable.

Shoes should provide safety to the feet (including heels and toes). Boots (work, cowboy, trucker, hiking) and shoes (loafer, walking, hiking, athletic) are acceptable. Like all articles of attire, they should be clean and in good condition (free of holes, stain, excessive wearing) that would compromise safety or a professional image. Toes and heels must be covered in selection of footwear, to provide maximum safety and protection.

Conclusion

If clothing fails to meet these district standards, as determined by the employee's supervisor, the employee will be asked to return home and change. In such cases, the staff member will also be directed to refrain from wearing the inappropriate item(s) to work again. If the problem persists, the employee may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.