Staff Dress Code

 

Operations Staff Dress Code

“As you are dressed, so shall you be perceived.”

Purpose: The purpose of this dress code is to ensure safety, professionalism, and comfort for Operations staff while performing their job duties.

General Guidelines: 

1. All employees must wear their Onslow County Schools identification badge at all times during work hours.  It must be worn conspicuously so that it can be easily seen by Onslow County Schools staff, students, and visitors.
2. Dress for your job:
   • While maintaining a neat, professional appearance, Operations staff are expected to dress in a manner appropriate for their job description.  During work hours, staff must wear the uniform provided to them by their department if applicable.
3. Clothing:
   • Shirts: Must be clean, functional, and in good repair.  Polo shirts, dress shirts, blouses, uniform shirts, or Onslow County Schools branded t-shirts are acceptable.  Shirts should be long enough to remain tucked in or appropriately fitted.
   • Pants: Pants should be durable and provide comfort for physical tasks. Acceptable options include, but are not limited to appropriate uniform or work pants, cargo pants, jeans with no holes or excessive wear, or dress pants.
4. Footwear:
   • No open-toed shoes: For safety reasons, open-toed shoes, sandals, flip-flops, and other similar styles of footwear are prohibited for all Operations staff.
   • Shoes should be comfortable, well-fitting, and appropriate for the employee’s job description, providing support and protection from hazards such as sharp objects, falling or dropped materials, or low temperatures.
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
   • Depending on the task, staff shall wear any necessary PPE such as, but not limited to, gloves, safety goggles, ear protection, or hard hats.
   • PPE must be worn as per job requirements or OSHA regulations.
   • Reflective vests or jackets may be required in certain work environments for visibility, particularly when working near traffic or in low-light conditions.
6. Hats, Headwear, and Hair:
   • Hats or head coverings for sun protection, hygiene, or safety are allowed (e.g., baseball caps, hard hats).
   • Hair
     • Hairstyles should not impede the ability to perform duties safely and effectively.
     • Regardless of hairstyle, hair should be kept clean, neat, and well-groomed.
     • Hair that is longer than shoulder-length must be tied back, netted, or appropriately contained to avoid entanglement in machinery or equipment as appropriate.
     • Child Nutrition staff working in food preparation areas and serving lines must wear hair and/or facial hair coverings as required.
7. Jewelry:
   • Minimal jewelry is encouraged for safety reasons.  Dangling jewelry could present safety hazards for those working around machinery and/or electricity and should be avoided.
8. General Appearance:
   • Uniforms or clothing should be clean and free from excessive dirt or stains at the beginning of the work day.
   • Operations staff should maintain a professional appearance.
   • Tattoos, whether permanent or temporary, shall be covered if they display words or images that a reasonable person would consider inappropriate in a public school setting.
   • Fingernails must be kept at a length that does not interfere with job duties or the correct fit of PPE.

 Additional Notes:

• Staff dress must comply with any and all applicable Onslow County Board of Education policies.
• Staff must follow the dress code at all times while on duty to ensure a safe working environment.
• Supervisors should be notified of any special accommodations or needs regarding clothing or PPE.

 

This dress code is designed to create a safe, efficient, and professional work environment for all Operations staff, not to limit individual expression or freedoms.