High heels and workplace dress codes Contents

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Appendix: Portico dress and appearance guidelines before and after May 2016

Dress and appearance guidelines introduced in May 2016

We require everyone to maintain an appropriate standard of dress and personal appearance at work, thus enabling us to work comfortably and to recognise our individuality. At the same time represent our brand and our clients with pride and professionalism.

The purpose of our guidelines is to clarify the minimum standards on appropriate clothing and appearance in our workplace so that we can:

• Promote a positive and professional image
• Respect the needs of employees of all cultures, religions and irrespective of gender
• Make any reasonable adjustments that may be required because of disability
• Consider reasonable adjustments that may be requested through personal choice
• Take account of health and safety requirements and apply the same standards of dress and appearance to all

These are the governing principles of our guidelines. The following is guidance for our employees and managers to ensure they know how to support our clients’ requirements.

The specific uniform provided will vary depending on the role of the employee. Any variations to the guidelines will be advised at location level and will be in line with the requirements and standards of our clients.

Appearance

Whilst working for us you are an ambassador representing us to clients and the public. Your appearance contributes to our reputation and the development of our business.

It is important, whilst at work, that you appear clean and smart at all times, particularly when you may be in contact with clients, other business contacts, or the general public.

A client may wish to promote a certain image which they believe best reflects the ethos of their organisation, the specific details of which will be explained to you.

General Appearance

• Wear your smile with pride
• Ensure high standards of personal hygiene
• Fragrance, if worn, should be subtle
• All clothes should fit well
• All clothes need to be clean, fresh and ironed/pressed at all times
• Jewellery, if worn and not in breach of Health & Safety requirements, should be appropriate for a professional environment and kept to a minimum
• All clothes, shoes and hosiery, should be in good condition
• Name badges, where required, must be worn correctly
• Adopt an alert posture at all times
• Always present yourself in a professional way, remaining aware of how your body language can be interpreted by guests or clients. Slouching, folding of arms, chewing gum, hands in pockets, reading newspapers or using mobile devices can create a poor impression.

Hair & Make-up

Hair should be clean and well maintained; it can be dyed, however the shade and colour should be natural looking. Brighter hair colours might be considered in certain locations with client agreement.

• Hair should be off the face; if longer than shoulder length it should be tied up/back.
• Hair accessories should be plain, neutral or compliment your uniform style.
• Make-up, if worn, should be subtle.
• You should have clean, well-maintained hands and nails.
• Nail polish, if worn, should be neatly applied and in good condition.
• Facial hair should be neatly groomed.

Clothing

• Where applicable, jackets should be worn at all times in client/public areas and fastened, except when sitting.
• Shoes should be clean, polished and in good repair and should be plain black.
• If skirts are worn, the hem should reach the top of the knee.
• Socks and / or hosiery must be worn at all times with skirts or trousers and be either natural or black opaque.

Religious and cultural dress

Where necessary your line manager OR the Human Resources Department can give further information and guidance on cultural and religious dress in the workplace.

Priority is given to health and safety requirements at all times. Where necessary, advice will be taken from the Director of Health & Safety.

We are committed to being an inclusive and equal opportunities employer, actively embracing diversity and inclusion within all our policies and procedures.

Scope

Managers are responsible for ensuring that these dress and appearance guidelines are observed and that a sensible approach is taken to any issues that may arise. Any enquiries regarding the operation of these guidelines (including whether or not an article of clothing is suitable to wear to work) should be made to your line manager or the Portico Human Resources Manager.

Failure to comply with the dress and appearance guidelines may result in action under our Disciplinary Procedure.

We will review our dress code periodically to ensure that it reflects appropriate standards and continues to meet our needs.

These guidelines do not form part of any employee’s contract of employment and we may amend them at any time. Should you wish to discuss any points within these guidelines, we actively encourage your feedback for review and consideration.

If you wish to appeal against any decision taken in respect of the above standards, you may do so using the Company’s Grievance procedure.

I the undersigned have read the Company’s Dress & Appearance Policy and understand that any breach of this policy is regarded as misconduct and that disciplinary action may be taken against me if I am found to be in breach of any of these regulations.

NAME : (please print) ............................................................ SIGNED: .............................................................................

LOCATION: ............................................................ DATE: .............................................................................

Signed copy 1: Retained by Employee

Signed copy 2: Retained by Line Manager on employee’s personnel file and uploaded to PeopleMatters

Personal appearance guidelines before May 2016

Personal appearance guidelines: uniformed employees (female)

Item	What we want to see	What we don’t want to see
General	Wear your smile with pride – maintain fresh breath & dental care. Fresh and clean smelling If fragrance is worn keep it light.	Chewing of gum in any client / public area Smoking inside or outside any client / public area Body odour / stale cigarette smell Heavy or strong perfumes
Accessories	1 earring in each ear (if ears are pierced) Studs, small sleepers no larger than 1 inch in diameter 1 signet ,wedding ring/engagement ring or eternity ring 1 plain, non dangling bracelet in gold or silver 1 plain gold or silver chain no longer than 20” in total length 1 corporate watch	Fashion jewellery Chunky and/or sporty watches Long dangling earrings / hoops Visible body piercings Tattoos that are visible (even through shirts or tights) Rings worn on thumbs or index finger Fabric or rubber fashion bracelets Pins / charity pins Fashion watches / coloured straps
Hair	Clean, neat and well groomed hair Hair off the face Long hair below shoulder length tied up/back Regularly maintained hair colour (if individual colours hair) with no visible roots Plain matt accessories to match the base colour of the uniform	Hair falling over the face Long hair styled in bunches Hair that looks greasy, wet or highly gelled Bright / strong colours/designs Exposed elastic bands Diamante accessories Flowers worn as accessories Visible root growth
Face and Hands	Make up worn at all times and regularly re-applied, with a minimum of: Light Blusher Lipstick or tinted gloss Mascara Eye shadow Light foundation / powder Hands and nails Well manicured hands and nails with tips no longer than ½ inch If nail polish is worn colours from the palettes as on the last page, are acceptable.	No make up at all (unless for medical reasons) Shiny faces Sparkle/glitter Hands and Nails Dirty nails Bitten or chewed nails Nail art or glitter varnish Chipped nail varnish Brights, green, blue, black, dark brown or fluorescent colours
Uniforms	Jackets Worn at all times in client / public areas and fastened, except when sat down when the bottom button may remain unfastened. Shoes Black matt leather court shoes Heel height normally a minimum of 2 inches and maximum of 4 inches, unless otherwise agreed by the Company Clean, polished and in good repair Skirts and trousers Minimum length to the top of the knee for skirts Clean, well kept and pressed Shirts/tops The allocated shirt/top only Clean and well pressed Tucked in and fastened Where a scarf is issued, that it’s worn appropriately Tights/Stockings Tights worn at all times on duty Tights no more than 15/20 denier. Black or brown may be worn for darker skin tones and natural / tan for lighter skin tones.	Jackets Worn open in public / client areas Pockets bulging / filled with pens and other bits Missing or dangling buttons Shoes Sling back or open toe shoes Shoes with ankle straps Suede or patent shoes Loafer or ballet pump style shoes Shoes with gold/silver buckles, straps or bows Wedges Sandals Skirts and trousers Hems hanging down Hemlines above the knee Creased Rolled up waist bands Trouser hem hanging down below heels and touching the floor Frayed or worn trouser hems Shirts/tops Unclean, particularly collars Make up on collars Missing buttons Frayed collars and cuffs Tights/stockings Thick opaque tights or patterned tights Laddered tights Bare legs

If for any reason you find it difficult to comply with these standards you should consult with your Line Manager immediately.

Colour palette for nail varnish. Colours worn must be as close as possible to the colour palettes below – if you are unsure please ask your Manager:

Neutrals

Pinks

Reds/Plums

Greys

I the undersigned have read the Company’s Personal Appearance Policy and understand that any breach of this policy is regarded as misconduct and that disciplinary action may be taken against me if I am found to be in breach of any of these regulations.

NAME : (please print) ............................................................ SIGNED: .............................................................................

LOCATION: ............................................................ DATE: .............................................................................

Signed copy 1: Retained by Employee

Signed copy 2: Retained by Line Manager on employee’s personnel file

If you wish to appeal against any decision taken in respect of the above standards, you may do so using the Company’s Grievance procedure.

Personal appearance guidelines: uniformed employees (male)

Item	What we want to see	What we don’t want to see
General	Wear your smile with pride – maintain fresh breath & dental care. Fresh appearance and clean smelling If fragrance is worn keep it light.	Chewing of gum in any client/ public area, or whilst on duty Smoking inside or outside any client / public area Body odour or stale cigarette smell Heavy or strong aftershave
Accessories	1 signet or wedding ring 1 corporate watch	Neck chains Chunky and/or sporty watches Earrings or other facial piercing Visible body piercings Tattoos that are visible (even through shirts) Rings worn on thumbs or index finger Any type of bracelet (fashion, fabric, silver, gold) Fashion watches or coloured straps Charity pins
Hair	Clean, neat and well groomed hair. Hair should be off the collar Sideburns, if worn, must be kept shorter than the earlobe and no wider than 1”. If a fringe is worn it must be above the eyebrows	Hair falling over the face Long hair touching the collar Hair that looks greasy, wet or highly gelled Bright / strong colours or designs Hair that has been closely shaven Sideburns worn below the ear-lobe or wider than 1” Any form of ponytail.
Hands and face	Face Clean and well moisturized at all times If worn, moustaches to be neatly groomed Hands and Nails Clean and well moisturized hands Short, clean and manicured nails	Face The morning after look – stubble / facial hair growth Hands and nails Long or dirty nails Bitten or chewed nails Nail varnish / nail art
Uniform	Shirts and Ties The allocated shirt and tie being worn A clean & well pressed shirt and tie Shirt collars worn inside the jacket Shirt / top worn tucked in and fastened Plain gold or silver cufflinks Coloured knots that co-ordinate with the shirt Jackets Must be worn at all times in client/ public areas and remain buttoned except when sat down when the bottom button may remain unfastened. Trousers Clean and well pressed A belt must be worn Socks Plain black socks at all times Shoes Black matt leather lace up shoes / city brogues Clean, polished and in good repair Rounded toes	Shirts and ties Unclean shirts / top or tie Frayed collars or cuffs Missing buttons Unfastened shirts Fashion / fabric cufflinks Jackets Worn open in public / client areas Bulging pockets ID/Security Cards on show Trousers Bulging pockets Frayed or worn trouser hems Trouser hem touching the floor Socks Socks with motifs or coloured patterns White socks No socks Shoes Suede shoes Patent shoes Boots Trainer style shoes Slip on shoes (moccasin or casual loafers) Chunky rubber soled fashion shoes

If for any reason you find it difficult to comply with these standards you should consult with your Line Manager immediately.

I the undersigned have read the Company’s Personal Appearance Policy and understand that any breach of this policy is regarded as misconduct and that disciplinary action may be taken against me if I am found to be in breach of any of these regulations.

NAME : (please print) ............................................................ SIGNED: .............................................................................

LOCATION: ............................................................ DATE: .............................................................................

Signed copy 1: Retained by Employee

Signed copy 2: Retained by Line Manager on employee’s personnel file

If you wish to appeal against any decision taken in respect of the above standards, you may do so using the Company’s Grievance procedure.

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23 January 2017