Jackson School Policy Advisory Library

Staff Dress Code

Rationale: 

A staff dress code establishes a sense of professionalism and pride, identifies staff as key people within the school community, and portrays a united staff team. Issues of equality, health and safety, and expense are also factors that need consideration when establishing a staff dress code. 

 

Ministerial Order 1388 – Teaching Service (Employment Conditions, Salaries, Allowances, Selection and Conduct) applies to all school based staff members employed by the Department (including principals, assistant principals, teachers, education support staff and paraprofessionals) and requires that: "Whilst on duty, an employee's dress and appearance should be neat, clean and appropriate to the employee's duties." (Clause 11.1.3)

 

Where a school wishes to elaborate on the provision of the Ministerial Order this must be consistent with the Ministerial Order and the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) which requires non-discriminatory treatment. This means that any local school arrangements in relation to staff dress and appearance will need to be flexible enough to accommodate individual staff members who have any specific cultural, religious, medical/disability needs that impact on their dress or appearance.

 

Occupational health and safety is also an important consideration. Staff have a duty under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004  (Vic) to take reasonable care for their own health and safety in the workplace which would include choosing appropriate clothing and footwear for the duties they are performing.

Aim: 

To establish a practical, professional and popular dress code supported by staff.  

To uphold professionalism, Department of Education and School Values

 

Implementation: 

The dress code has been developed after a process of staff consultation. 

 

The dress code, whilst not a prescriptive uniform, outlines minimum dress expectations and requirements. 

 

The staff dress code expectations are: 

  • That staff wear clothing commensurate to a professional work environment. 
  • That clothing be in good condition (not ripped, dirty etc).  Singlets, tank-tops etc. are not to be worn. 
  • That activewear should only be worn on days when sporting activities are undertaken by the staff member, or at school camps or similar. 
  • That footwear must be suitable for the tasks being undertaken by the staff member.  School Council considers closed toed shoes to be appropriate (for Health & Safety reasons) and considers footwear such as thongs as both dangerous and professionally inappropriate. 
  • That staff wear broad-brimmed hats during terms 1 and 4, as well as Sunsmart clothing whilst outside during terms 1 and 4. 
  • Staff wear clothing that is tasteful and not ‘revealing’ or foreseeably offensive to others (staff and students). 
  • Clothing is not to display inappropriate logos, promote inappropriate products, or contain inappropriate language or messages. 
  • Issues relating to the staff dress code minimum expectations will be managed by the Principal and enforced by the leadership team.
  • In addition to the minimum dress code, staff have agreed upon a non-compulsory staff uniform that consists of both corporate wear, or a school polo shirt and spray jacket in school colours. Alternate designs and brands with the school logo are not permitted.
  • A non-compulsory staff uniform was developed and organised in consultation with  staff. 
  • Staff uniform items will carry an embroidered school logo.
  • Issues relating to the non-compulsory staff uniform are to be directed to the Principal.
  • If staff (admin, leadership...) are in public facing or external roles, then smart dress should always be worn, particularly when Ministerial or Department staff are visiting the school.

The following items are considered by staff as professional dress at our school. 

  • Jackson School uniform 
  • Neat & professional  
  • Knee length skirts and dresses
  • Neat black/navy jeans (not stonewash blue denim)
  • TWW polo tops and spray jacket
  • Males to wear collar shirts or polo shirts
  • Shorts and skirts at knee length
  • Appropriate closed footwear
  • Slacks 
  • Shirts 
  • Conservative jewellery 
  • Clothing appropriate to task i.e. activewear for PE sessions. 
  • Admin staff to always have a corporate/professional look

The following items are not considered by staff as fitting the professional dress expectations at our school.  

  • Leggings worn as pants
  • Shoe string singlet tops 
  • Strapless tops / dresses / revealed shoulders / transparent clothing
  • Low cut tops  
  • Rubber thongs, high heels, heel strap 
  • Low cut or torn jeans
  • Exposed bra straps
  • Extreme hair colours
  • Exposed inappropriate tattoos
  • Visible body piercings (excluding ears) 
  • Distressed clothes
  • Short shorts

Evaluation: 

This policy will be reviewed every 3 years or more often if necessary due to changes in regulations or circumstances. 

 

Ratified by Principal on 01/02/2023

 

Review Date: 01/02/2026