Personal Presentation Policy s1

PERSONAL PRESENTATION POLICY

FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAST!

Everyone who works at Big S has a big part to play in how our customers see us. What we say, how we look and how we treat customers and each other, all contribute to the impression that our customers form about Big S.

In fact, people make ‘judgement calls’ about other people within the first 30 seconds of first meeting them! So, Big S has some rules and guidelines about personal presentation and conduct.

PERSONAL CONDUCT

While you are on duty, you are expected to be polite and considerate to customers, colleagues and vendors. Always maintain a positive and ‘can do’ attitude no matter who you are dealing with.

Remember personal qualities such as a friendly smile or a warm welcome when a customer enters the store. These show you’re interested and willing to assist.

The following actions will not be tolerated under any circumstances and may lead to termination of employment:

§ drinking or being under the influence of other substances

§ being in possession of alcohol, prohibited drugs or banned substances.

§ use of abusive language or threatening behaviour.

§ smoking in the workplace (except in designated areas while on rostered breaks).

DRESS AND GROOMING

You are responsible for maintaining a standard of dress and personal hygiene that projects a professional image of Big S.

Uniform

There are a variety of dress standards depending on the area in which you work.

Office/corporate

A uniform is not worn.

§ Smart corporate attire is required at all times.

§ For females collared shirts, tailored skirt or pants with jacket as required.

§ For males collared shirt, tie and tailored trousers with jacket as required.

Retail operators

You must wear the uniform that is issued to you appropriately.

§ Shirts should be tucked in and fully buttoned.

§ No underwear or other garments should be visible under the shirt.

§ Males are required to wear the Big S tie.

§ Black tailored pants are worn by males and females.

§ All staff are required to wear a name tag at all times.

You are required to provide your own footwear which could include safety shoes and black socks. You will receive instructions about appropriate footwear from your supervisor.

Personal presentation

You must maintain a high standard of personal hygiene and presentation.

§ Wash yourself daily and use an effective deodorant.

§ Hands and fingernails must be clean with no dark nail polish.

§ Uniform must be clean and ironed.

§ Check that there are no stains on any items of clothing.

§ Shoes are to be clean and shiny.

§ A little makeup, perfume or aftershave is acceptable, but make sure it is discreet.

§ Hair should be neat and if below collar length should be back from the face.

§ Do not chew gum or consume any other food or drink while on duty.

Jewellery

Keep jewellery to a minimum. If jewellery could create a hazard, it should not be worn at all. In general, the following items are acceptable:

§ rings - plain banded ring eg, wedding ring

§ earrings – one pair of sleepers or studs only and one per ear

§ wrist watch

§ neck chains – must be under shirt and not visible.

The following detract from our professional image and are not acceptable:

§ excessive body piercing eg, eyebrow, chin, cheek, lip, tongue, nose

§ extreme hair styles and colours

§ visible tattoos.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO)

Equal employment opportunity (EEO) is about making sure that all our employees are treated fairly and not discriminated against, harassed or bullied.

Discrimination occurs when someone is treated less favourably than another person due to their race, colour, national or ethnic origin; sex, pregnancy or marital status; age; disability; religion; sexual preference; membership of a trade union activity; or some other characteristic described in anti-discrimination or human rights legislation.

Harassment occurs when someone is made to feel intimidated, insulted or humiliated because of their race, colour, national or ethnic origin; sex; disability; sexual preference; or some other characteristic specified under anti-discrimination or human rights legislation.

Harassment can include behaviour such as:

§ telling insulting jokes about particular racial groups

§ sending rude emails

§ displaying offensive pictures on a computer screen

§ teasing or making fun of someone's race or religion

§ asking questions about someone's personal life.

Sexual harassment is where unwelcome actions of a sexual nature are made such as:

§ unwelcome comments about a person's sex life or physical appearance

§ suggestive behaviour such as leering and ogling

§ unnecessary physical contact such as brushing up against a person

§ sexually offensive comments or jokes

§ displaying sexually offensive photos, reading matter or objects

§ sexual propositions or continued requests for dates

§ indecent assault or rape (also criminal offences).

Workplace bullying can range from very obvious physical attacks to subtle psychological abuse. Bullying may include:

§ physical abuse

§ yelling, screaming or offensive language

§ excluding a person

§ threats

§ giving pointless or impossible tasks

§ deliberately changing work rosters to inconvenience particular employees

§ deliberately not passing on information needed for effective work performance.

Discrimination, harassment and bullying is unlawful and will not be tolerated at Big S! You have specific responsibilities too.

§ Repect the rights of other people and treat them without discrimination, harassment or bullying.

§ Do not become involved in existing discrimination, harassment or bullying situations by gossiping, taking sides etc.

§ Do not make false claims against another person.

§ Report all instances of discrimination, harassment or bullying situations to your supervisor.

§ Support all changes introduced to prevent occurrences of discrimination, harassment and bullying.

Big S Employee Policy & Procedure Manual

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