I think Heather's advice is sound. Our museum is also a memorial to Canada's
war dead and, indeed, to all who have served in war and peace. Accordingly,
we feel a certain standard of dress is mandatory, but it has changed over
the years to become less formal.

I very much agree that it must be made crystal clear to all new staff what
is expected of them and to be consistent in maintaining standards. At the
same time, it is also important to listen and respond appropriately to the
legitimate concerns of staff and, when making changes, to involve them in
the development of new uniforms/standards, and to try out a new uniform
before putting it into general use.

The other museum in our corporation wanted to get away from having hosting
staff in blazers because they were perhaps too formal, definitely expensive
to maintain and could be too warm, so they moved suddenly to putting
everyone in sweaters. Unfortunately, no trials had been done and the
sweaters proved so warm as to be unwearable. Eventually, they moved to a
sleeveless waistcoat, which everyone seems to like.

May I suggest that you also consider asking your visitors what they think?
Choosing a uniform and setting dress standards are issues that fairly cry
out for a front-end evaluation.

Harry Needham
Special Advisor - Programme Development
Canadian War Museum
330 Sussex Drive,
Ottawa, Canada
K1A 0M8
Voice: (819) 776-8612  Fax (819) 776-8623
Email: [log in to unmask]

> ----------
> From:         Heather A. Ferrell[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To:     Museum discussion list
> Sent:         Monday, May 24, 1999 1:23 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: Dress Codes
>
> Sometimes it is reassuring to see that problems manifested at our museum
> are
> shared elsewhere and not just a product of our institution. Our dress code
> for "front line" staff weekend/evening security and receptionists has
> changed
> numerous times with various reinforcement. We vacillated to anything goes
> but
> ratty jeans, to a vest worn by everyone, to mandatory staff shirts. Yet,
> we
> have had complaints regarding their dress code because of lip and eyebrow
> piercings, multi-colored hair, etc. which seems to intimidate some guests.
> We have asked for certain distracting piercings to be removed at work but
> it
> is not followed - nor reinforced. Our morale is low with this staff
> because
> of the lack of communication and constant changing and variances of the
> dress
> code from month to month. It's still a problem - in fact we're meeting to
> discuss it once again sometime this week.
>
> If I may make a suggestion, stick to one policy and start with it on the
> onset when new people are hired. If it's a policy, back it up consistently
> and positively, don't change it or enforce it only when the Director is
> around. Personally, Ithink it is fair to ask front desk/security staff to
> follow a dress code that includes basic exclussions on green hair and lip
> piercings, ratty jeans and flip-flops, because they are representing the
> museum. As long as we inform the staff when we hire them of the policy I
> think it is fair.
>
> Heather Ferrell
> Plains Art Museum, ND
>
>
> In a message dated 5/24/1999 11.47.11 AM, you wrote:
>
> <<Our museum is in the process of implementing a more stringent dress code
> for
> front-line staff. The new code applies not only to clothing choices but to
> haircuts and jewelry. Many of us feel that the new code would be stifling
> and very bad for morale in an area that already has the lowest morale in
> the
> museum. I would like to hear about other experiences with the
> success/failure of dress codes. For instance, Kara, what prompted your
> decision to update the dress code? Was it complaints from visitors?
> Trustees? Managers? I'd appreciate any feedback from the list.
> >>
>
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