Updated: December 12, 2005
The purpose of this policy is to establish a minimum standard of dress for Office of Information Technology employees that is consistent with good safety practices and professionalism, and one that promotes a continued image of a professional service organization.
This policy is issued in accordance with the Auburn University practice of allowing individual units to establish dress codes. It applies only to employees in the Office of Information Technology and will be interpreted, administered, and amended by the Office of Information Technology within its sole discretion.
The standard dress code for OIT employees during normal business hours is basic business casual attire, tempered by a university environment. Employees' clothing on the job should be practical for the work situation while remaining suitable to a business environment and should be clean and neat in appearance.
For the purposes of this policy, "basic business casual attire" is defined minimally as slacks (* see below for jeans) or skirt with shirt or blouse or dress. For men - collared or turtleneck style shirts with sleeves, shirts tucked in at all times. For women - appropriate fashion attire. Some professional positions may require a tie, sports coat or suit, at the manager's discretion. As a general rule, the higher level the position and/or the more contact with the outside public, the higher the dress standard.
Repeated violations of this policy, as determined by the supervisor, manager, and/or director, will be considered in violation of Auburn University Employee Conduct and Job Performance Rules and will be addressed using the progressive discipline procedures set forth in University policy.
Attire should not distract or offend fellow employees, customers, or visitors and should reflect a positive and professional image for the Office of Information technology.
Employees housed in buildings or locations receiving visitors or employees making calls outside OIT, would generally be expected to adhere to a higher standard.
*Nice jeans (no holes or tears, must be clean, etc) are acceptable when one will be in a low traffic, low visibility location. They would not be acceptable when one is expected to be attending meetings around campus.
Examples, but not to be considered an exhaustive list, of inappropriate clothing in the business environment include:
Appropriate exceptions may be granted by the manager of OIT Employees who are assigned to work in an outside/non-office environment. Examples include field support staff, construction project managers, lab support personnel, personnel assigned to do physical setup work on machines, or anyone with a temporary assignment requiring "work" clothing.
Allowances of more casual dress will be made for university or OIT sponsored social events.