'Fashion police college' gets dressing down from staff

UCU has criticised the college for imposing the new rules without consulting staff and has accused management of acting like the 'fashion police'.
 
The college issued the guide following the recent merger between Sutton College and Matthew Boulton College, which has led to accusations from staff that teaching is less important than personal style. Astonished members of staff have been ordered not to have 'outrageous' hairstyles, not to wear jewellery that is 'excessive' or 'unconventional' and for all tattoos to be covered.
 
UCU regional official for the West Midlands, Nick Varney, said: 'The college should be looking to work with the staff not acting like the fashion police. Not only is this further evidence of the authoritarian attitude of senior management it is possibly discriminatory and certainly subjective.  
 
'After trumpeting the recent merger as the start of a new and exciting era it seems remarkable to me that senior management should wish to introduce a policy that harks back to Victorian Times.  Has diversity and the celebration of cultural differences totally passed them by?
 
'Perhaps the principal would like to expand on what she means by 'coordinating colours', 'unconventional' jewellery and 'outrageous' styles and colour of hair style. My guess would be expensive and as much grey as is possible. Mind you there are enough photographs of the principal spread across the campuses for members to know what is chic in the world of highly paid executives. I cannot understand why the college is so image obsessed.'
 
The college guidance states:

'The college is a professional and business like organisation and staff have a responsibility to uphold and promote these values in their dress and appearance. Except where the job role or activity makes it impractical (see below), staff must adhere to a smart and conventional standard of dress and appearance. This means the following:

• A business suit; smart jacket and co-ordinating trousers or skirt; smart shirt/blouse/top and trousers or skirt; smart dress etc.
• Hair should be neat, tidy and well groomed. Outrageous styles and colours are not acceptable.
• Any jewellery worn should not be excessive or unconventional.
• Earrings, if worn, must not be excessive, obtrusive or ostentatious.  No other jewellery worn through visible piercings is permitted.
• Tattoos must be covered.
• Jeans or scruffy/torn trousers; shorts; sweatshirts or t-shirts with slogans or symbols are not permitted.'