Uniform Policy

It is essential that all UC Santa Cruz employees be easily identified as staff by guests and customers in our units. For this purpose, uniforms will be provided to all employees. 

A uniform will be issued to all employees. All student employees will be issued at least two shirts and all other specific uniform information for each location will be provided by the manager. 

Any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times and is considered part of your uniform. This includes, but is not limited to cutting gloves, long pants, slip-resistant shoes, goggles when necessary, etc. 

All items are required elements of the complete uniform. All uniform items are to be worn in the designated fashion at all times: 

• Dining Services-issued hat with brim forward*

  • It is also permitted to wear your own hat so long as it is clean and Black, Navy Blue, or Yellow

    • The hat must be brand-free OR with a UCSC logo

  • All hair must be contained (no loose bangs, pony tails, etc) 

  • Hat is to remain as-issued, with no alterations or added decorations

• Dining Services-issued name badge on front of hat or either the left or right breast area of shirt

  • Name badge is to remain as-issued, with no alterations or added decorations

• Dining Services-issued shirts

• Safety shoes covers (Overshoes)

*A hairnet may be worn in lieu of a hat. For certain positions, alternative PPE headwear may be required and issued. 

No other clothing items should be hanging outside of the designated uniform. For personal comfort, a solid-colored long-sleeved shirt with no lettering, logos, etc. may be worn under your uniform. 

All uniform items (with the exception of personal pants/hats) are the property of UCSC

If your uniform is damaged, you must bring it to your manager’s attention for repair/replacement

Hats, Caps, & Hairnets

• All employees must fully contain their hair

• Student employees may wear:

  • Dining issued hat with brim facing forward (if hat is brimmed)

  • A personal hat so long as it is clean AND black/navy blue/yellow

    • Personal hats must be either logoless or UCSC branded

  • A hairnet

• All hair must be FULLY contained (no loose bangs, pony tails, etc)

• Hats/caps are to remain as-issued, with no alterations or added decorations

Pants

• Student must wear long pants at work (jeans are okay*)

  • These pants must be hemmed work pants with no holes, made from sturdy material, and must cover the employee’s ankles

• For safety reasons, cargo pants are not allowed.

• Pants must be a solid, neutral color (Khaki, Black, Blue)*

*Hospitality only permits black pants

Shoes

• In addition, appropriate footwear is required: shoes should conform to safety standards

• Rubber heels and composition soles are required to provide maximum stability on wet or slippery floors

• Sandals, open-toed shoes, platform or heeled shoes are unsafe in a kitchen working environment and may not be worn

• You will wear the provided non-slip overshoes for all shifts, except Catering staff not involved in production

Wearing Accessories

• For safety, it is important that you not wear additional clothing, jewelry, or accessories (bracelets, watches, etc)

• Acceptable items:

  •  Plain smooth metal rings

  • Stud piercing

  • Small loops/piercings, close to the body (no more than 0.8 inches/20 mm in diameter)

• If you wear a necklace, please tuck it inside your uniform shirt.

Clocking In and Out

• You should clock in at your posted starting time in full uniform and ready to work

• You should stay at your workstation until your posted ending time, then inform the person in charge that your shift is over and then clock out

Personal Appearance and Hygiene

• Good hygiene promotes professionalism and provides customers with a sense of confidence regarding our food

• Good hygiene includes the following: clean hair, clean body, brushed teeth, no overwhelming perfume or cologne or after-shave, clean uniform and most of all clean hands

• Fingernails are to be clean, short in length and polish free

  • Any employee with long, artificial, or nails with polish must wear gloves at all times

• Any hair longer than shoulder length must be beneath your hat or fully contained (i.e., fully braided)

• Doing all of these things will help us to comply with State Health codes and to provide safe and healthy food for our customers