College Issues Strict Dress Code for Lecturers

Tue, 06 Oct 2009

Lecturers at Birmingham Metropolitan College have been warned that they will be sent home if they come to work wearing jeans or scruffy trousers. The warning comes as the college published guidelines calling for staff to project an image of a professional and business-like organisation.

Jeans and scruffy trousers are not the only items to be prohibited, with the college placing a ban on tattoos and ostentatious earrings . Indeed, any outrageous colours styles are banned. Unconventional jewellery also falls under the new restrictions. The new guidelines are in stark contrast to the image of fading 1970s fashion which once provided a stereotype for lecturers.

The UCU lecturers’ union has hit out at the guidelines, and has criticised the College for acting like the ‘fashion police’. The lecturers’ union revealed that staff are angered and astonished by the draconian dress code, claiming it undermines their professionalism and judgement.

Commentators have said the new guidelines are just another example of higher education merging with business. Universities are under pressure to become more business-like, with students at Manchester University able to phone a hotline to complain if their lecturers are more than 10 minutes late.
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