ACAS dress code guidance: #EqualitiesTLA

Catina's picture

Acas has published new guidance on 'dress code and appearance in the workplace', which may be a useful practical #EqualitiesTLA resource for many curriculum areas.  

Key points

  • Employers must avoid unlawful discrimination in any dress code policy
  • Must be non-discriminatory and apply to both men and women equally
  • Reasonable adjustments must be made for disabled people when dress codes are in place
  • Employers should tread cautiously on religious dress within their policies. Employers need to:
    • Take into account employees who may dress in a certain way for religious reasons
    • Allow groups/individual employees to wear articles of clothing etc that manifest their religious faith.
    • Justify the reasons for banning such items and should ensure they are not indirectly discriminating against these employees - any restriction should be connected to real business or safety requirements
  • Should relate to the job and be reasonable in nature
  • Employers may have health and safety reasons for having certain standards
  • Employers should consider the reasoning behind a dress code and consult with employees to help ensure that the code is acceptable to both the organisation and employees. 
  • If an emploer has a dress/appearance code then it should be written down in a policy and communicated to all staff so they understand what standards are expected from them
  • Employees who do not comply may be disciplined

See the full guidance at: http://www.acas.org.uk/dresscode