Last revised on 6/2022
Dress Code Policy: Attire and Professional Appearance
Employees are often the most important representation of any organization and contribute to the image and reputation
of their organization in the way they present themselves. Within the Office of Enrollment Management (OEM),
professional appearance is essential to a favorable impression with students, families, staff and the U-M community.
Further, good hygiene and appropriate dress reflects pride and inspires confidence.
Policy Scope
For the purpose of this policy, “staff” includes employees classified as regular, temporary, grad interns and student staff.
OEM reporting units may have additional guidelines specific to the unit. In such cases, staff are expected to follow such
guidelines and unit leadership will have upward discretion.
OEM encourages and supports a diverse and inclusive work environment. This policy communicates expectations for
attire and appearance with these efforts in mind, yet may also prohibit unprofessional or offensive clothing articles,
images, and appearances not listed below.
Regulations and Guidelines
OEM expects employees to be professional in appearance when engaged in work-related activities. General
appearance/attire guidelines include:
Staff are encouraged to dress for the weather, their commute and their work area/environment; however,
appropriate office attire is expected during the workday.
Clothing should be clean and neat, free from stains, holes, and wrinkles.
Clothing should not appear to be worn, faded or stretched out.
Clothing must have appropriate fit, with no visible undergarments/undershirts.
Clothing should be free from offensive images, words or logos.
A. Business Attire
OEM staff in student-facing positions are expected to dress in business attire during working hours. In addition, staff
meeting with students, families, staff or others in the U-M community, should observe business dress guidelines.
Examples and basic elements for appropriate and professional business attire includes items such as collared shirts, ties,
blouses, blazers, suit jackets, sweaters, slacks, dresses/skirts of appropriate length, socks and dress shoes including
heels. Guidelines for appropriate business attire does not include leggings, yoga pants, shorts, tank/halter tops, low-cut
blouses or sweaters, sweatshirts, pajamas or any extreme style of fashion in dress and footwear.
B. Business Casual Attire
Staff that do not have student-facing roles or recurrent, in-person contact with external constituents may dress in
business casual attire on a daily basis. Other staff members may also elect to dress in business casual attire on Fridays
Last revised on 6/2022
and/or workweek days prior to University-observed holidays with the understanding that there may be specified and
announced periods when casual days are suspended.
Examples of business casual attire includes crewneck shirts, golf/polo shirts, casual slacks, jeans, Michigan shirt
paraphernalia and other T-shirts without inappropriate logos or obscene language, casual slip on or tie-up shoes and
dress sandals (Memorial Day through Labor Day only). Guidelines for appropriate business casual attire does not
include leggings, yoga pants, shorts, tank/halter tops, low-cut blouses or sweaters, pajamas, flip flops or floppy sandals.
C. Student Staff
Many of our student staff directly interacts with prospective/new students and their families. Their appearance,
although more relaxed, should remain professional at the discretion of the unit.
D. Reasonable accommodations of religious beliefs
OEM recognizes the importance of individually held religious beliefs and will reasonably accommodate a staff member’s
religious beliefs in terms of this policy unless the accommodation creates an undue hardship. Those requesting an attire
accommodation based on religious beliefs should be referred to OEM Human Resources.
Dress Code Policy Enforcement
Unprofessional appearance and/or poor hygiene will be addressed with the employee by the immediate supervisor on
an individual basis. Questions regarding the appropriateness of clothing or appearance should be directed to the
supervisor. If a supervisor determines that an employee’s dress or appearance is not appropriate as outlined above or
per the specified unit policy, they may take corrective action and require the employee to leave the work area to make
necessary changes towards compliance.
Repeated violations of this policy will follow progressive discipline steps. Supervisors will partner with OEM Human
Resources prior to delivering discipline beyond a verbal warning.
