Dress Code Policy
Jackson State's objective in updating our business casual dress code is to allow our employees to work comfortably in the workplace. Staff members are expected to at all times present a professional, businesslike image to students, visitors, customers and to the public. Acceptable personal appearance, like proper maintenance of work areas, is an ongoing requirement of employment with Jackson State Community College. Business casual dress is the standard for this dress code.
All employees will be issued a photo identification badge. For reasons relating to both institutional identity and the promotion of safety for all members of the college community, JSCC issues identification badges to all employees. The identification badge is considered part of the dress code and must be worn at all times while on campus. Identification badges include a color photograph of the individual, his or her full legal name as indicated in the applicable college information system or on a government issued photo identification, and an operating unit designation to indicate where that individual has a primary affiliation. An individual who uses a nickname may have the nickname included in parenthesis on his/her badge if that is the primary name he/she uses. Identification badges for faculty and administrators may include a listing of the individual's earned degrees beneath his or her name on the badge if the earned degree is relevant to the employee's job duties. JSCC provides these badges free of charge upon employment, appointment or enrollment. If a badge must be replaced, the badge holder must reimburse the college for the cost of a new badge.
Identification badges are the property of the college and will be retained by the college when an individual terminates his or her employment, ceases to be enrolled, or otherwise ends his or her association with the college.
Because all casual clothing is not suitable for the office, these guidelines will help you determine what is appropriate to wear to work. Clothing that reveals too much cleavage, your back, your chest, your stomach or your underwear is not appropriate for a place of business, even in a business casual setting.
Even in a business casual work environment, clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled. Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is unacceptable. Any clothing that has words, terms, or pictures that may be offensive to other employees is unacceptable. Clothing that has the company logo is encouraged. Sports team, collegiate, and fashion brand names on clothing are generally acceptable.
Certain days can be declared dress down days, generally Fridays. On these days, denim may be worn in the place of dress pants or slacks. However, the denim must be free of holes, frays, etc. All other dress code standards apply to dress down days.
Reasonable Accommodation of Religious Beliefs
Jackson State recognizes the importance of individually-held religious beliefs to persons within its workforce. Jackson State will reasonably accommodate a staff member's religious beliefs in terms of workplace attire unless the accommodation creates an undue hardship. Accommodation of religious beliefs in terms of attire may be difficult in light of issues of safety for the particular employee as well as co-workers. Staff members requesting a workplace attire accommodation based on religious beliefs should be referred to the Human Resources department.
Guide to Business Casual Dressing for Work
This is a general overview of appropriate business casual attire. Items that are not appropriate for the office are listed, too. Neither list is all-inclusive and both are open to change. The lists tell you what is generally acceptable as business casual attire and what is generally not acceptable as business casual attire.
No dress code can cover all contingencies so employees must exert a certain amount of judgment in their choice of clothing to wear to work. If you experience uncertainty about acceptable, professional business casual attire for work, please ask your supervisor or your Human Resources staff.
Slacks, Pants, and Suit Pants
Slacks that are similar to Dockers and other makers of cotton or synthetic material pants, wool pants, dressy capris, and nice looking dress pants are acceptable. Inappropriate slacks or pants include jeans, sweatpants, exercise pants, Bermuda shorts, short shorts, shorts, bib overalls.
For dress down Friday attire, denim may be worn in the place of dress pants or slacks. However, the denim must be free of holes, frays, etc. and must meet all other dress code standards.
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 at a length at which you can sit comfortably in public. Short, tight skirts that ride halfway up the thigh are inappropriate for work. Mini-skirts, skorts, sun dresses, and spaghetti-strap dresses are inappropriate for the office.
Shirts, Tops, Blouses, and Jackets
Casual shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, tops, golf-type shirts, and turtlenecks are acceptable attire for work. Most suit jackets or sport jackets are also acceptable attire for the office, if they violate none of the listed guidelines. Inappropriate attire for work includes tank tops; midriff tops; shirts with potentially offensive words, terms, logos, pictures, cartoons, or slogans; halter-tops; tops with bare shoulders; tops with spaghetti straps; sweatshirts, and t-shirts unless worn under another blouse, shirt, jacket, or dress.
Jewelry, Makeup, Perfume, and Cologne
Should be in good taste, with limited visible body piercing. Remember, that some employees are allergic to the chemicals in perfumes and make-up, so wear these substances with restraint.
Conclusion
If clothing fails to meet these standards, as determined by the employee's supervisor and Human Resources staff, the employee will be asked not to wear the inappropriate item to work again. If the problem persists, the employee may be sent home to change clothes and will receive a verbal warning for the first offense. All other policies about personal time use will apply. Progressive disciplinary action will be applied if dress code violations continue.