Dress for success

Even though it may still be warm and sunny outside, Dallas ISD has returned to its business dress code to promote a professional atmosphere and maintain the positive image that employees present as representatives of the district.

The district’s dress code policy is designed to help employees provide a consistent professional appearance to colleagues, students, parents, and the community. Employees should exemplify the highest standards of professional appearance.

To help guide employees in determining appropriate attire for the workplace, below are the business dress code guidelines outlined in DH(LOCAL) and DH(REGULATION).

Overview

• The dress code standards are meant to maintain an orderly educational environment and shall not infringe on an individual’s culture, religious beliefs, protected free speech, or an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodation.
• The dress and grooming of district employees shall be clean, neat, in a manner appropriate for their assignments, and in accordance with any additional standards established by their supervisors and approved by the superintendent.
• All employees are expected to exemplify proper grooming standards and personal hygiene in a manner that projects a professional image for the employees and the district.
• Employees shall keep their hair and facial hair groomed neatly.
• Employees should not display body jewelry, tattoos, brands, or similar artifacts that are offensive, obscene, or may cause disruptions to the educational environment.

Acceptable Attire

• Clothing should be clean, pressed, and wrinkle-free
• Attire should fit appropriately
• Dress shirts, dress pants, dresses, skirts are required
• Professional footwear is always required
• Employees required to wear district-issued uniforms are expected to wear the assigned uniform

 Unacceptable Attire

Unacceptable attire includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Form-fitting, snug, sagging, or transparent clothing
• Excessively worn, faded, or tight clothing
• Clothing with holes or frayed areas
• Revealing or provocative attire
• Necklines that expose cleavage
• Dresses and skirts shorter than three inches above the knee bend
• Jeans, sweatpants, shorts, bib overalls, leggings, spandex, and lycra
• Tank tops, t-shirts, and shirts with inappropriate messages/graphics
• Athletic wear and beach wear
• Slippers, flip-flops, house shoes, sneakers, and athletic shoes
• Hats are not worn inside unless used as protective wear appropriate for one’s job function

 Exceptions

• Supervisors shall have the discretion to make exceptions to the appropriateness of attire as it relates to safety standards, maintenance, physical education, vocational courses, culture, religious beliefs, field trips, spirit days, medical necessities, or reasonable accommodations based on a disability.
• The superintendent or designee may waive the dress code standards for district employees when school is not in session or based on seasonal weather conditions, special events, and extenuating circumstances.

Policy References: DH(LOCAL) and DH(REGULATION)

For questions or comments, please contact Policy and Compliance at hcmcompliance@dallasisd.org.