Corporate Dress Code & Wardrobe Policy

1.

Reference Number:
Responsible Department:
Related Policy/Procedure:

Section 2 No. 12
Human Resources

Date of Adoption:
Current Review Date:
Minute Reference:
Version Number:
Applicable Legislation:
Next Review Date:
Review Frequency:

15 March 2005
27 May 2014
N/A
Amendment No. 1
Work Health Safety Act/Regs 2012
May 2015

WHS Personal Protective Equipment

Procedure
LRC and Officers Enterprise Agreement
2012

Annually or anytime in full consultation with staff

Purpose
Light Regional Council recognises the need for all staff in its employ to present a favourable
and professional image on behalf of Council. The following policy seeks to formalise both the
standard of dress and an appropriate dress code that supports a co-ordinated approach to
Councils professional image.

2.

Policy Aim
The aim of the Corporate Dress Code & Wardrobe Policy is to;

3.

2.1

provide guidance to management and staff as to what constitutes acceptable dress

standards at Light Regional Council.

2.2

ensure that Light Regional Council provides staff with functional and durable clothing
appropriate for assigned duties, where it is deemed as being required for the
performance of duties, or to enhance the image of Council.

2.3

ensure that employees comply with all work, health and safety (WHS) rules and
regulations and exercise due care when undertaking their duties and consider WHS
when wearing certain garments or accessories in the workplace such as sandals, body
rings etc.

Policy Details
Council and staff recognise that an appropriate corporate wardrobe complements the
professional image of Council.
The corporate uniform will consist of the following;

3.2

Policy No:
Version:

3.1.1

Councils corporate colours being those contained in Councils official logo. A

corporate uniform supplied to staff may be any combination of various shades of
the colours of blue, red, green, black, charcoal and or white.

3.1.2

The number of colours/pattern/print combinations available to be included in Light

Regional Councils corporate uniform will be in accordance with the Australian
Taxation Office (ATO) specifications.

3.1.3

Councils logo will be displayed by staff by wearing the official name badge or
Council approved uniforms.

In recognition of Councils commitment to supporting and projecting a professional image

through the wearing of the corporate wardrobe, items (refer to Table 1 overleaf) will be
purchased by Council in accordance with Clause 13 of the Light Regional Council and
Officers Enterprise Agreement 2012, so long as such purchase is made from the Council
approved uniform supplier and/or the local government industry approved uniform
supplier.

Section 2 No. 12
Amendment No.1

Date of this Policy:

27 May 2014.

Page 1 of 3

Light Regional Council

Corporate Dress Code & Wardrobe Policy

3.3

All council staff in support of Councils professional image and personal safety policies are
required to wear personal protection equipment in accordance with Councils WHS
policies and procedures.

3.4

With reference to clause 3.2 of this policy, the reference to the current Council approved
uniform supplier is a reference to the company Neat N Trim, while the reference to the
local government industry approved uniform supplier refers to the company Style Corp or
a supplier of personal protection equipment and/or corporate wear acquired through the
councils tender procedures in accordance with the Procurement Policy.

3.5

Uniform Allocation
In accordance with the Light Regional Council and Officers Enterprise Agreement 2012,
clause 13.3;
Where Council requires an employee to wear a uniform in the course of duties (other
than the corporate uniform stated in clauses 13.2.1 and 13.2.2) such uniform will be
provided and replaced by the Council.
3.5.1 The following positions are to be allocated the prescribed uniform items:

Information Services staff members (Group A)

Staff Allocated Personal Protective Equipment (Group B)

3.5.1 Staff required to wear a compulsory uniform will be issued the following items:
Table 1
Group

3.6

4.

Item
Initial allocation to a
new Information
Services employee

Initial allocation to a
new outside employee

Uniform Provision
Two (2) outer, upper body garments
Jackets/knitwear etc.
Four (4) Inner, upper body garments
shirts/tops
Three (3) lower body garments
trousers, skirts, shorts
Two (2) pairs of trousers or jeans
Two (2) long sleeve shirts (worn to the
wrist)
One (1) jumper and/or vest
Protective eyewear
One (1) Jacket
Safety Boots

Colour/pattern/ WHS
specification
Blue, Charcoal or Black
Any listed corporate colour
(pattern may be striped)
Blue, Charcoal or Black
As supplied
High visibility, Fabric no
less than SPF15
High visibility
High visibility

3.5.2

After initial uniform allocation, items will be replaced on a fair wear and tear basis.

3.5.3

Employees in group A may choose to purchase lower body garments (as per
specifications) at a non-approved uniform supplier (refer to clause 3.4) at their
own cost.

All staff have access to the preferred uniform suppliers to voluntarily purchase a corporate
uniform to wear and may pay via a payroll deduction over a maximum six month period
(finalised prior to the end of each financial year). Employees may claim their purchases in
accordance with the ATO tax ruling guidelines.

Dress Code
4.1

It is recognised that there is a need for staff to present a professional image on behalf of
Council. Neatness and personal grooming are an important aspect to achieving this
image.

4.2

Staff shall present themselves in clothing and footwear that are in good repair, clean,
pressed, and suitable for the tasks being undertaken, to a standard that is acceptable to
the management staff of Council.

4.3

Items of clothing that are non-compliant with Councils Corporate Dress Code & Wardrobe
Policy (for example items such as tracksuits, sneakers, thongs, jeans, etc.) will be
regarded as unacceptable as business style clothing and will be in breach of the policy
without prior management approval.

Policy No:
Version:

Section 2 No. 12
Amendment No.1

Date of this Policy:

27 May 2014.

Page 2 of 3

Light Regional Council

Corporate Dress Code & Wardrobe Policy

4.4

Staff from time to time will be required to attend to external activities that will require
safety clothing or more appropriate dress. Clothing shall be clean and neat and may
include boots, overalls, jeans and other safety items as appropriate.

4.5

Employees who are not listed in clause 3.5 are still required to present a positive image
and are required to adopt an acceptable standard of dress and appearance that suits the
needs of their work area.
4.5.1 If staff are attending a business event, you are required to wear more
corporate/formal dress. When a customer or a business partner does visit the
office, the employee should at least wear casual business attire. Certain
occasions such as attendance to meetings with politicians and other dignitaries
and stakeholders will require formal business attire.
4.5.2 Casual business attire may consist of garments that are neat, tidy, clean, pressed
and not torn or worn. Staff are to use their discretion of what is acceptable to wear
in their work areas and to speak to their Manager for clarification if needed.
4.5.3 Not all casual clothing is suitable for the office. Any clothing that has words, terms
or pictures that may be offensive to other employees is unacceptable.
4.5.4 Council is supportive of casual dress days and events and employees may
contribute a donation towards fundraising for various charitable organisations but
this is not a requirement for employees who participate in nominated casual days.

4.6

5.

Staff will seek the prior approval of their Manager to dress in clothing that is not in
accordance with this policy due to extenuating or extraordinary circumstances.

Grievance Procedure - Non-compliance with Policy

Should any staff member have a grievance regarding the interpretation or implementation of
this policy, they will abide by Councils 2.1 Conflict Resolution Procedure.

6.

References
This policy should be read in conjunction with the WHS Personal Protective Equipment
procedure.

7.

Policy Review
7.1

This policy can be reviewed at any time in full consultation with all Council staff.

7.2

This policy may be amended upon approval by the majority of staff members.

History of Policy Amendment

1. Policy adopted at Council meeting held 15 March 2005, Item 15.2.1, Page 2005/223
2. Amendment No. 1 reviewed after staff consultation and General Manager approval on
Tuesday 27 May 2014.

Policy No:
Version:

Section 2 No. 12
Amendment No.1

Date of this Policy:

27 May 2014.

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