This document provides guidelines for professional dress and etiquette in the workplace. It discusses appropriate attire for men and women for different levels of formality from business professional to business casual. Examples of inappropriate clothing are also listed. The document also covers social etiquette rules including introductions, active listening, personal space, language, networking, meeting etiquette, responding to communications, cell phone use, dining etiquette, grooming, and more. The overall message is to dress and act professionally to make a good impression.

2. Dress for Success: Your Guide to Looking Sharp

3. Professional Dress Standards What is appropriate attire for the workplace Professional image Applies to all office employees Uniformly enforced

4. Professional Dress Standards Staff should have an appropriate well-groomed appearance Make reasonable accommodation when situation requires exception (e.g., pregnancy, medical excuse) Since opinions of appropriate attire can differ, administration reserves the right to serve as final authority

5. Appropriate Apparel for the Gentlemen…

6. Business Professional - Men Invest in your Suit; SPEND SOME MONEY Quality is cheap in the long run Get it tailored, make sure it fits (sleeves not too long, pants not too high or too long) Nothing Flashy (Try Dark Navy or Charcoal) Don’t try to send a fashion statement 2 or 3 buttons (always leave bottom button unbuttoned)

7. Business Attire A mix between business casual and business professional Wear slacks and a blazer/sport coat Nice collared shirt underneath but no tie is required Dress Shoes

8. Inappropriate Apparel for the Gentlemen…

9. For the Gentlemen…No T-Shirts Tank Tops Polo shirts with designs (except office logo)

10. For the Gentlemen…No Shorts Cargo Pants Jeans

11. Appropriate Apparel for the Women…

12. BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL FOR WOMEN Matching suit jacket and knee length (or longer) skirt or pants Conservative colors, (i.e. navy, black, gray) Long sleeve or short sleeve blouses Dress shoes or dress boots with long skirts or pants only

13. BUSINESS ATTIRE FOR WOMEN Business knee-length dresses with suit jacket Suit jacket and pressed pants (do not have to be of the same set) Blouses Third piece Dress shoes or dress boots with long skirts or pants only

14. Appropriate Apparel for Women Knit tops & skirts Jackets Slacks/skirts

15. Inappropriate Apparel for the Women…

16. Inappropriate Tops for the Office Off-the-shoulder Spaghetti string or camisole style Tube tops Key-hole or cutouts Backless or cutaway backs Halters No Midriff’s

17. NO excessively open or low-cut or short garments and absolutely NO midriff’s .

18. Other Inappropriate Items Short skirts and dresses Skorts (shorts with skirt flap) Skin-tight clothing (dresses, pants or tops) Overalls Culottes/split skirts Leggings

19. Tennis shoes/athletic shoes Tennis shoe mules Heel or platform soles 3 inches or more Thongs Bare feet Birkenstock-like sandals Inappropriate Footwear

20. Appropriate Apparel for Business Casual Day Only ...

21. Business Casual Day Dress Policy Business Casual Day is designated the last working Friday of each month The following examples would be appropriate options for those employees choosing to participate in Business Casual Day

22. Options for Women on Casual Day Only + + or or or Pressed Non-faded Jeans Skirts/ Chinos/ Floods Sandals Loafers Polo Shirts Top

23. Options for Gentlemen on Casual Day Only + + or or or Without Logo CCCC With Office Approved Logo Pressed Non-faded Jeans Chinos/ Slacks Boots Loafers

24. Interview Tips Wear your suit and jacket unless specified otherwise Wear dress shoes Conservative tie

25. Remember we represent the county Superintendent and should always be dressed appropriately and professionally.

26. ETIQUETTE & MANNERS: Social rules for the professional

28. No matter what the situation, social etiquette rules should be followed. When should you be particularly aware of your manners?

29. EVERY SITUATION!

30. Consider some of the benefits of etiquette… Gives professionals the tools to impress clients and colleagues. It puts others at ease so that business can be conducted.

31. and… Helps to establish rapport with others more easily. Builds confidence and helps create a winning style. Gives the organization an overall polished, professional image.

32. and Possessing a high level of etiquette knowledge and skills builds confidence and instills the perception of trustworthiness in others.

35. When making an introduction… Give a piece of information about the person—it can be a conversation starter. “ This is Sue, she just opened a new store in town.”

38. What? LISTEN to and concentrate on conversations—don’t just wait for your turn to talk!

39. Don’t Jump! Resist the urge to jump into a conversation when someone pauses in thought. Wait a second or two, then respond.

40. Just a peck will do. A kiss on the cheek as a greeting is okay at a holiday gathering or a convention when you haven’t seen the person in awhile. Resist the smooch in a purely business setting.

41. Smile, you’re on Candid Camera! Be an active listener—smile, nod, make eye contact and agree when appropriate.

42. My Space Respect a person’s personal space—don’t get too close! If you can smell lunch on their breath—you may be too close! Give them a breath mint!

43. Build your vocabulary! Avoid vulgar references and swear words. Poor language IS NOT professional and offends some.

44. Networking Based on the success of your first impression, the other person will determine whether or not you are worthy enough for them to continue investing themselves in developing a relationship with you and your company.

45. Meeting Seating Generally the chairperson sits at the end of the table farthest from the entrance.

46. Does anyone know what time it is? If you are attending the meeting—be on time! On time means arriving a few minutes BEFORE the meeting begins.

47. Who’s in charge of this meeting? If you are leading a meeting ARRIVE EARLY! Check the room’s temperature, lighting, and arrangement. Get yourself organized. Greet the participants as they arrive.

48. Keep your Word. Do what you promised you would do! Make that phone call! Write that note! Make the arrangements!

49. Placing a telephone call… If you’re making a call, identify yourself first, then ask to speak to the person you’re trying to reach.

50. When you finally reach the person… Before you jump into a deep conversation, ask if they have time to talk.

51. If you’re on the phone and another call comes in… Always ask if it’s alright to put them on hold.

52. Sign Language? Do not interrupt someone on the telephone by gesturing, speaking or writing them notes!

53. What about voicemail? If you must leave a message, state your name (spell if they don’t know you), phone number, date and reason for the call. Repeat your phone number at the end—SLOWLY.

54. You’re Ringing When you are in ANY meeting, turn off your cell phone ringer—accept voicemail and text messaging only!

55. Can you hear me now? If you MUST take a call in a public place—try to move to a more private space. Hearing one-sided conversations alienates the person NOT in the conversation!

56. I can’t talk now, but… If you must talk in a public place (bus, elevator, airplane etc.) keep it short and discreet.

57. Rapid Response Forget junk mail and forwards, but ALWAYS respond to a real message on your e-mail.

58. watch wat u say While our Internet culture is full of shorthand, check your e-mail for grammatical, capitalization and spelling errors! In business—no shorthand!

59. Moving? Close your e-mail address at an old job and have them forwarded to an appropriate person. Let everyone know your new e-mail address.

60. No eating with your fingers! During the first course of the meal, use the utensils on the outside. For example, the salad arrived, use the fork on the far left. Entrée arrives, the next fork.

61. I want to eat my dessert! When wanting to eat your dessert, use the utensils that were placed above the plate.

62. Put the napkin where? Open the napkin, refold in half and place in onto your lap with the fold away from you.

63. How did that get on the floor? If your utensils or napkin fall, DO NOT crawl around on the floor to retrieve—flag down a waiter and ask for another.

64. I can’t eat another thing. Finally done eating? Place all of your utensils on the plate with the tip of the fork and knife across the plate, pointing at 11 o’clock.

65. Chop sticks or Chop Suey? Eat your Chop Suey (or any other food) with chop sticks ONLY if you already know how to use them—learning in front of someone can be ugly!

66. What’s in my Mouth? Great meal when— all of a sudden you realize something in your mouth needs to come out! Cover your mouth with a napkin and get it out—discreetly!

67. Doing lunch? Whoever invites a colleague or client to a business lunch pays for it—that includes the tip, coat check and parking if necessary.

68. Where to Lunch Select a restaurant that is conducive to conducting business. The restaurant should be centrally located for both, or close to the guests’ office.

69. Mirror, mirror on the wall… Don’t primp at a restaurant table or in public. Use the restroom to groom!

70. Party time! Have fun, but maintain control! DO NOT get drunk hit on a co-worker stay at the buffet

71. Warning: DO NOT PICK at your teeth. at your face. your nose. on your friends.

72. Never, Never, Never… Burp Snort In general: DO NOT make ANY bodily noises that are rude and disgusting!

73. Allergies and colds happen, but… DO NOT blow your nose at a table. It’s alright to pat your nose with a tissue. Otherwise, excuse yourself and find a place away from others.

74. Finally… Take time to say “please” and “thank you” more often. Don’t forget to say “Hello” rather than “Hi”. Say “you’re welcome” rather than “no problem.”

75. and always… S M I L E

77. Questions? Ask Now or Regret it Later