Open Forum

My museum is looking at updating our policy on staff dress and appearance in response to changing attitudes and younger generations in the job market. We are wondering specifically about the portion of the policy that pertains to tattoos/piercings/hair dye etc. Personally, I feel like these things are central to personal expression and creativity, especially common in arts and cultural settings, but it would be helpful to hear from other museums and cultural organizations on their policies.

Thank you!

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Rene Rodgers
Head Curator
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Bristol VA
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Well, I'm a Boomer with a tattoo and have had pink hair you can see from space so it's not really a generational thing. Any dress/appearance policy should be inclusive. It should 
1. be gender neutral and not be applied based on gender or gender identity
2. not discriminate based on religious practice
3. address modifications to accommodate disability
4. accommodate cultural apparel

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Linda Norbut Suits
Art-in-Architecture Coordinator
Loami IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 6/15/2022 8:28:00 AM
From: Linda Norbut Suits
Subject: RE: Dress or appearance code

Well, I'm a Boomer with a tattoo and have had pink hair you can see from space so it's not really a generational thing. Any dress/appearance policy should be inclusive. It should 
1. be gender neutral and not be applied based on gender or gender identity
2. not discriminate based on religious practice
3. address modifications to accommodate disability
4. accommodate cultural apparel

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Linda Norbut Suits
Art-in-Architecture Coordinator
Loami IL
------------------------------

Thank you, Courtney. Our frontline staff wear what we call "frontline blue" and our volunteers have lanyards so that they are easily identifiable to our visitors. It definitely is helpful on that front!

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Rene Rodgers
Head Curator
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Bristol VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-16-2022 09:34 AM
From: Courtney Wilson
Subject: Dress or appearance code

I won't comment on hair, tattoos and the like but, at numerous times in my career, I found the adoption of a uniform for all public facing employees and volunteers is most helpful on a number of levels (i.e. polo shirt with museum embroidered logo and "Staff" worn with black or tan khaki pants or skirt). We used the term "Staff" for both paid and volunteer employees. That consistent "uniformity" certainly helps visitors easily identify museum staff as well.

Courtney

Courtney B. Wilson

Courtney B. Wilson & Associates, LLC

Museum Advisors and Consultants

www.courtneybwilson.com

410-340-4226

Original Message:
Sent: 6/15/2022 8:28:00 AM
From: Linda Norbut Suits
Subject: RE: Dress or appearance code

Well, I'm a Boomer with a tattoo and have had pink hair you can see from space so it's not really a generational thing. Any dress/appearance policy should be inclusive. It should 
1. be gender neutral and not be applied based on gender or gender identity
2. not discriminate based on religious practice
3. address modifications to accommodate disability
4. accommodate cultural apparel

------------------------------
Linda Norbut Suits
Art-in-Architecture Coordinator
Loami IL
------------------------------

Thank you, Linda, this is helpful. This is how many of our staff feel, and we want to have the input in order to show our board the importance of updating the policy. This, and others' responses, will be so helpful in that conversation.

------------------------------
Rene Rodgers
Head Curator
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Bristol VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-15-2022 08:28 AM
From: Linda Norbut Suits
Subject: Dress or appearance code

Well, I'm a Boomer with a tattoo and have had pink hair you can see from space so it's not really a generational thing. Any dress/appearance policy should be inclusive. It should 
1. be gender neutral and not be applied based on gender or gender identity
2. not discriminate based on religious practice
3. address modifications to accommodate disability
4. accommodate cultural apparel

------------------------------
Linda Norbut Suits
Art-in-Architecture Coordinator
Loami IL
------------------------------

I'm fairly new to my position and let me add that I am 59, tattooed, and have a nose ring. It's definitely not an age thing but a cultural thing as it is 2022.
Our dress code for our Visitor Services team actually had the word "slacks" in it so I knew it needed updating. We've added skirts and capris. They wear branded polo shirts. We have no restrictions about hair style, tats, piercings, etc. If you want a more inclusive audience then you definitely need to update! Good luck!

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Lauren T. Furey
Manager of Ticketing
Preservation Virginia
Newport News VA
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You are absolutely right -- it definitely isnt' generational, at least staff-wise! This is so helpful, I appreciate your input.

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Rene Rodgers
Head Curator
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Bristol VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2022 09:26 AM
From: Lauren T. Furey
Subject: Dress or appearance code

I'm fairly new to my position and let me add that I am 59, tattooed, and have a nose ring. It's definitely not an age thing but a cultural thing as it is 2022.
Our dress code for our Visitor Services team actually had the word "slacks" in it so I knew it needed updating. We've added skirts and capris. They wear branded polo shirts. We have no restrictions about hair style, tats, piercings, etc. If you want a more inclusive audience then you definitely need to update! Good luck!

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Lauren T. Furey
Manager of Ticketing
Preservation Virginia
Newport News VA
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Hi! The aquarium I work at updated its policies a few years back from fairly strict rules around tattoos, piercings, and hair color. Now our policy allows for any hair color, and is much more open to piercings and tattoos. The reception was incredibly enthusiastic, and anecdotally I think that it allowed current staff and volunteers to bring more of themselves to their work. There's also folks for whom tattoos and piercings can be an important part of culture and religion, and this new policy is more inclusive of them. From a recruitment perspective, at the time I worked with a large cohort of volunteers, and we would lose incredible applicants over the old policy. Feel free to ping me with questions, but I'd say your instinct to update the rules is spot on!

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Karen Tekverk
Engagement Specialist
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Chicago IL
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Thank you so much, Karen. That is how we feel and updating the policy will make a real difference, I think.

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Rene Rodgers
Head Curator
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Bristol VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2022 10:27 AM
From: Karen Tekverk
Subject: Dress or appearance code

Hi! The aquarium I work at updated its policies a few years back from fairly strict rules around tattoos, piercings, and hair color. Now our policy allows for any hair color, and is much more open to piercings and tattoos. The reception was incredibly enthusiastic, and anecdotally I think that it allowed current staff and volunteers to bring more of themselves to their work. There's also folks for whom tattoos and piercings can be an important part of culture and religion, and this new policy is more inclusive of them. From a recruitment perspective, at the time I worked with a large cohort of volunteers, and we would lose incredible applicants over the old policy. Feel free to ping me with questions, but I'd say your instinct to update the rules is spot on!

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Karen Tekverk
Engagement Specialist
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Chicago IL
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