Policy on Dress Code May 2011
1. Philosophy and Purpose 1.1 Maintaining a professional, businesslike appearance is very important to the success and image of the Malta Statistics Authority. 1.2 All employees are expected, at all times, to present a professional, businesslike image to customers, stakeholders and the general public. Every employee may, at one time or another, come in contact with customers, stakeholders and the general public. Thus, it is important for all employees to be dressed appropriately and present a well-groomed appearance at the office every day as this impinges on the reputation of the organisation. 2. Dress and Grooming Guidelines 2.1 All employees shall comply with the attire outlined in section 2.2, especially directors, managers and employees in scales 1, 2 and 3, and in particular those who have regular contact with customers, stakeholders and the general public. Those employees who do not regularly meet customers, stakeholders and the general public may wear comfortable clothes, but should still be as neat and businesslike as possible. 2.2 The following is a list of appropriate business attire: Men Blazers, suits or jackets, Dress or tailored trousers, Dress shirts with buttons and collars, Ties, Sweaters, cardigans, slipovers and polo necks, Dress shoes or boots 2/6
Women Blazers, suits or jackets, Blouses or shirts, Scarves or foulards, Dresses (knee-level or longer), Dress or tailored trousers, Skirts or split skirts (knee-level or longer), Sweaters, cardigans, slipovers and polo necks, Dress shoes or boots. 2.3 Suits/Blazers/Jackets are only obligatory in case of business meetings with third parties and other activities whereby the employee is representing the Malta Statistics Authority, either in the Malta Statistics Authority offices or elsewhere. This applies to all employees. 2.4 Should any employee be asked to attend business meetings with third parties and other activities, whereby the employee is representing the Malta Statistics Authority, either in the Malta Statistics Authority offices or elsewhere, he/she should dress in appropriate business attire. The most senior person in an NSO delegation with meetings with third parties may ask a person not to be present if inappropriately dressed. 2.5 The following is a list of unnacceptable attire, and applies to all employees: Beach wear (Blue) jeans Clothing that is worn, torn, frayed, with patches or holes Evening wear Flip flops and other flat toe ring sandals or thong sandals Revealing, and see-through/transparent clothing Shorts and bermudas Stretch or tight pants/slacks/trousers 3/6
Tank tops, tube tops, halter tops with spaghetti straps, off-the-shoulder tops, midriff length tops T-shirts with commercial, political slogans Underwear as outerwear Workout clothes or shoes, athletic wear, sweat pants, tennis shoes 2.6 Whenever employees (in all grades) are required to report for work at the NSO premises in Valletta on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays, they may dress casually, but not inappropriately. 2.7 Employees are expected to maintain a professional standard of cleanliness and personal hygiene. 2.8 Hair should be clean, combed and neatly trimmed or arranged. Extreme and eccentric hairstyles, including unnatural hair colour, is not permissable. 2.9 Accessories such as jewellery must be simple and neat. Piercings anywhere besides earrings must be removed. Only one earring in each ear may be worn and these should be from the same pair. Tattoos must not be visible. 2.10 Certain employees may be required to wear uniforms depending on the nature of their job. This is regulated by the collective agreement. Uniforms must be clean, neatly pressed, and appropriately worn when reporting to work. 3. Summer Dress Code 3.1 During the summer months employees are expected to make sure that the listed unacceptable attire in paragraph 2.5 is strictly observed. 3.2 Between 1st June and 30th September employees may not wear suits, blazers, jackets and ties during normal office hours. However, if requested to attend business meetings with third parties and other activities whereby the employee is representing the Malta Statistics Authority, either in Malta Statistics Authority 4/6
offices or otherwise, everyone should stick to the business attire described in paragraph 2.2 as much as possible. Blazers and jackets may be avoided but men should wear ties, and dress shoes are obligatory. 3.3 During the summer months employees should refrain from wearing flip-flops, other flat toe ring sandals or thong sandals. 4. Dress-Down Day 4.1 Casual Dress Day is the last Friday of every month. All employees may wear appropriate casual clothing that is neat and clean. Participation in Casual Dress Day is a personal decision. Employees are expected to use good judgement to ensure that their attire is appropriate for all activities (including meetings and client contact) that they will be involved in on that day. If the last Friday of the month is a public holiday, Casual Dress Day will be on the Thursday (i.e. one day before). 5. Enforcement 5.1 Unit managers have a pivotal role in monitoring and enforcing this policy. The policy will be administered according to the following steps: If unacceptable attire (as per clause 2.5) is worn in the office, the unit manager will immediately hold a private meeting with the employee concerned to advise and counsel the employee regarding the inappropriateness of the attire. If, in the opinion of a staff member, a colleague is wearing unacceptable attire, he/she should report this by email to the unit manager, or, in his/her absence, to the Divisional Director, who should act immediately. The unit manager should treat any report in strict confidence. 5/6
The unit manager will, after holding a private meeting with the employee concerned, and in conjunction with the Manager Personnel and Budgetary Matters, refer the case to the Director (Resources and Support Services) or the Director General, who may ask the employee to go home for the rest of the day or part thereof, availing himself/herself of vacation leave. The decision of the Director General is final. Repeated policy violations may result in disciplinary action, which is regulated by the collective agreement. 6. Dress Code for Meetings Abroad and Local Seminars 6.1 Employees sent by the Authority on official business abroad should adhere to the attire in section 2.2, irrespective of their grade, and irrespective of the time of year. 6.2 Employees representing the Authority in local seminars or meetings should adhere to the attire in section 2.2, irrespective of their grade. 7. Review and Revision 7.1 The Malta Statistics Authority reserves the right to rescind and/or amend this policy at any time. 6/6