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* POLICY NAME:
* POLICY TYPE:
POLICY #:
* STATUS:
* CONTACT
OFFICE:
* OVERSIGHT
EXECUTIVE:
Presidential Policy - University Administrative Policy
E.3.9.1.
Active
Administration and Finance – Human Resources
Vice President for Administration and Finance
*
*
APPLIES TO:
PURPOSE:
Non-Instructional Employees
To establish basic guidelines for appropriate work dress that promote 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
DEFINITIONS:
* POLICY
STATEMENT:
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.
PROCEDURES:
This is the basic standard for the academic year, when classes are in session.
* General
Procedures for
Implementation:
A. Faculty - This policy does not apply to instructional faculty.
B. Non-Instructional Employees - This group includes administrative faculty, classified, and wage employees. Attire will be “professional dress.” For the purposes of this policy, “professional dress” is defined as clean and neat and appropriate for the type of work performed. Generally, the higher level the position and the more contact with the general public, the higher the dress standard. As a general rule of thumb, cut-offs, sweat suits, baggy-style pants, flip flops, and clothes that are otherwise revealing are not acceptable.
C. 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

Page 2 of 3 working between classes. If safety clothing or equipment is deemed necessary by the department, the department will furnish such clothing or equipment.
Tee-shirts bearing language or art that is likely to offend others, torn clothing, unkempt appearance, or revealing clothing that exposes parts of the body typically covered in that work setting should be avoided.
I. 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. Faculty - This policy does not apply to instructional faculty.
B. Non-Instructional Employees - Attire will be “professional dress” as described above. Supervisors may further relax dress protocols, with the exception of jeans, as appropriate for their work environments.
 Exceptions for Some Departments/Offices - Summer 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.
 Exceptions for Specific Meetings/Events - Whenever 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.
 Exceptions for Jeans - Jeans may be worn on Fridays. Jeans should be professional in appearance with no holes, slits, rips, or tears.
Supervisors have discretion to determine appropriate dress, based on departmental business needs.
II. 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 nondiscrimination 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.

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* Process for
Developing,
Approving, and
Amending
Procedures:
The Associate Vice President for Human Resources and AAEEO is responsible for revisions and amendments to this policy, taking into consideration recommendations from the University community.
* Publication and
Communication:
This policy is on the UMW website. Emails will be sent to all employees as amendments are made.
* Compliance
Monitoring and
Reporting:
The Associate Vice President for Human Resources and AAEEO is responsible for the interpretation, consistent application, and enforcement of this policy.
Management is responsible for implementing and monitoring this policy within their work units.
RELATED
INFORMATION:
Policy
Background:
* Policy Category: Administration and Finance
Category Cross
Reference:
Related Policies:
HISTORY:
* Origination Date: July 2004
* Approved by: University President, Richard V. Hurley
* Approval Date: April 2011
* Effective Date: April 2011
* Review Process: The effectiveness of this policy will be reviewed biennially by the Associate Vice
President for Human Resources and AAEEO to determine whether material provided in the policy is being adhered to and understood.
* Next Scheduled
Review:
April 30, 2017
Revision History: February 6, 2015: Section I.B. updated to permit staff to wear Jeans on Friday, year round, at the recommendation of the Staff Advisory Council.