Regulation GBRL-R(2): Employee Dress Code

General Expectations

All DeKalb County School District employees shall dress in a professional manner and style in accordance with the dress of other professionals within the community. Employees are expected to be clean, neat, and appropriately dressed at all times during the employee’s regular hours of work.

In order to ensure the safety and security of both staff and students, District ID Badges should be clearly visible at all times.

The Superintendent may make District, school-wide, or site-specific exceptions to these standards for such events as “spirit days,” “hat days,” planning days, and other events and activities when schools are not in session or students are not present.

The Superintendent, Principals, and Site Administrators have the authority to interpret this dress code and make a case-by-case determination of the appropriateness of dress and appearance in cases which may or may not be covered by the standards contained in this policy. Any employee whose attire or dress is not professional in the opinion of the Superintendent, Principal, or Site Administrator shall be directed to conform to this policy. An employee who is inappropriately dressed, may be sent home and required to return to work in acceptable attire. The employee shall not be paid for time away from work.

Professional Dress

Professional dress includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Business suits/pants suits;

2. Dresses or skirts with blouse or sweater for females;

3. Pants and khakis with appropriate blouse, shirt, knit top, or sweater;

4. Capri length pants;

5. Collared shirts with and without ties;

6. Tops may have sleeves or be sleeveless. Regardless of type, the area from the neck to the shoulder must be covered;

7. Attire in accordance with the environmental requirements for specific job assignments; and

8. Professional, safe, and non-distracting footwear.

Unprofessional Dress

To ensure that employees are professionally attired, the following are considered unacceptable:

1. Sweat pants/wind suits/shorts, unless teaching physical education;

2. Flip flops, between-the-toe shoes without heels, bedroom shoes, or other footwear that interferes with freedom of movement;

3. Immodest attire which is too short, too tight, or revealing;

4. Any clothing that allows undergarments to be visible;

5. Any clothing that is a distraction, inflammatory, offensive, or poses a health, safety, or security hazard, or anything else which:

6. Is offensive, lewd, profane, or sexually suggestive;

7. Promotes or advertises use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco products, or any illegal substance;

8. Advocates or indicates discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or disability; and/or

9. Has the potential to incite students to disrupt the educational process, order, and discipline at a school.

10. Any item of clothing or jewelry that creates a disruption of the school environment/learning activities or that poses a threat to the safety and well-being of students or staff