Policy Overview

The appearance of employees reflects the image of our company and has a significant impact on the way parents, children, employees and the general public view us. We aim to provide our employees with comfortable and professional uniforms that project a good image and comply with Occupational Health and Safety guidelines.

The intention of this Policy is to: 

• Give an overview of what the rules are surrounding staff uniforms.
  

To provide setting managers guidance for situations regarding uniforms.

Who is this policy aimed at?

This policy applies to all The Norfolk Childcare Company LTD employees, Volunteers, students, temporary staff, or anyone working for or on behalf of The Norfolk Childcare Company LTD.

Where does this Policy Apply?

• At our Twinkle Tots Setting

Staff Uniform Rules

Staff uniforms are essential for many reasons, from keeping you safe to give a company's professional appearance.

Staff must adhere to the following in regard to uniforms:

• Employees should always be dressed neatly and appropriately.
• Current uniforms must always be worn when on duty.
• Uniforms must be well maintained and insured that is not damaged.
• All parts of the uniform set out in this Policy must be worn.
• Retired uniforms (old designs) must be returned to the setting manager and should not be worn.
• Members of staff who are suspended or have left the company shall not wear the uniform unless reinstated.
• Staff should minimise wearing uniforms outside of work hours.
• While the uniform remains the company's property, staff are wholly responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the uniform.
• If your uniform is damaged or has not been kept in a good state of repair, then staff will be obliged to replace their uniform. See more below on this.
• Upon leaving the company, all work uniforms must be left behind on your last day. Any uniform that is not returned to us may be deducted from your last pay.
• Ensure the uniform is treated with care, cleaned regularly, neat and ironed.
• Wash the uniform by following the label.

What happens if I need a new uniform? 

The company will provide new staff with uniforms when they start with us. We will provide staff with two t-shirts and one hoodie. Bottoms and shoes will be the responsibility of the staff to purchase. 

If a staff member would like additional uniforms over what we supply, they are welcome to order more uniforms at their own cost. Staff must do this via a director only and not order the uniform directly from our suppliers. Staff must pay for uniforms in full to the company before receiving paid extra uniforms. The company will only charge uniforms at cost, including shipping and will not profit from this.

While the uniform is your personal responsibility to be cared for, there are circumstances where it is the staff members or the company's responsibility. 

A director will have the final say on informed uniform replacement. There will be no appeal to this.

Staff will replace uniforms at their own cost :

• If the uniform has received damage. This could be tears, rips or stains from lack of care. This would, for example, be bleach stains or paint.
• Any uniform that has been misplaced or lost.
• When the uniform has not been washed and dried by the manufacturer's recommendations on tickets. Generally, 30-degree wash and not tumble drying.
• Uniforms no longer fit either due to weight gain or weight loss. 
• Unusually high wear and tear on uniforms. This could be, for example, your uniform showing high signs of wear and tear but other staff with the same uniform for the same time showing good repair.

The company will replace uniforms when :

• If an item of clothing has developed a defect that you would not expect.
• General wear and tear from everyday use.
• If the company changes the uniform design by only replacing the original set. Staff will be responsible for upgrading uniforms and any extra items they have purchased privately. 
• When a member of staff is promoted, changed role or setting.

What the uniform consists of:

Below is what the uniform consists of and what we expect. 

Tops:

2 company-branded t-shirts and 1 company-branded hoodie. You may wear other tops underneath your work t-shirt on cold days as long as your work t-shirt covers it.

Bottoms:

Bottoms can be either black work-style trousers or black leggings. In the hotter months, you may wear shorts as long as they are professional looking, black and appropriate. 

Shoes:

Shoes should be comfortable to wear all day and must be in company colours. Ideally, they should be black, grey, navy or any other dark plain colour. White can be worn as long as they are in good condition. Shoes must be of a trainer style. On winter, cold, or bad weather days, boots may be worn as long as they are appropriate. They should be of a dark colouring, well looked after and professional in style. Boots should have either no or very small heal. 

Jewellery:

Jewellery should be discreet and professional in appearance. Ear piercings are acceptable, provided the jewellery is of a conservative and professional nature. Such as studs and sleepers. To maintain a safe workplace, wearing facial piercings other than in the ears will need to be discrete and minimal (i.e nose rings, eyebrow rings, tongue, etc). This will be at the discretion of the director. 

Hair:

Hair should be worn in a neat and tidy fashion. Hair should be tied back where possible and completely tied back while serving food. 

Tattoos:

All tattoos should be covered where possible Tattoos that may be deemed offensive must be covered at all times.

Coats:

On rainy days in the gardens, you can wear your coat to protect you from the rain. Your coat can be any colour as long as it is not offensive or appropriate and nothing on it poses a danger to children. You must ensure your pockets are free of any personal items.

National Garments:

National costumes and garments worn to comply with religious requirements are acceptable as long as they do not pose an Occupational Health and Safety risk and are near and modest. They must also recognise the colour and format of the company uniform. Head Scarfs must be plain, black or navy.

Nails:  

Nails are expected to be clean, of reasonable length and not affect your ability to do the duties of your role. Working with babies requires more ‘ hands-on duties’ . Your nails need to be a reasonable length to ensure this does not affect nappy changing or handling the babies. Also, for hygiene and safety, nails are expected to be kept at a reasonable length. 

Lanyard & ID Card:

Lanyards and ID cards are part of staff members' uniforms. Staff must always wear their lanyard and ID around their neck. This must be visible to parents and visitors as this helps with security and safeguarding our children. Building keys etc must be kept on a separate yellow lanyard from your ID card. Extra staff badges that are given to staff must be attached to your lanyard provided as these again form part of your uniform.

To ensure ID cards are up to date, all staff are required to have staff photos taken every year.

Lost lanyards and ID cards must be reported to your manager when you know they are lost, as this can cause security issues with the building. Lost cards and Lanyards, like other items, are liable to be charged if you lose, misplace or damage your lanyard or ID card. This will be charged at £10.00. 

Breach of Policy

Any member of staff, student or volunteer found to be in breach of this Policy will be subject to disciplinary action as a breach of this Policy and our safeguarding Policy. Any breach could result in termination of employment.

Policy Commencement and Review