Support Center

Centerspace recognizes that a workplace that reflects cultural diversity and promotes a professional image is in the best interest of both the company and our team members.  Centerspace expects the appearance of our team members will reflect our mission of providing great homes for our residents, team members, and investors. 

Centerspace has different dress codes in place for team members based on factors including: location of position, nature of work, and frequency of contact with residents and external customers.   

Guidance for All Team Members

The following guidelines apply to all team members, regardless of position or location, and may not address all scenarios related to dress code.  If you have any questions about what is considered appropriate dress, please speak with your manager or the Talent & Culture team. 

Personal Dress: Clothing should be clean, and should never be wrinkled, torn, dirty, or frayed.  Clothing should never be distracting, controversial, or disruptive.  This would include clothing that reveals your back, chest, stomach, or underwear.  Offensive language or images are not permissible.  T-shirts (unless worn under a sweater or suit jacket), jerseys, leggings, and shorts are not permissible (shorts in compliance with Service Team uniform are acceptable for Service Team Members in summer months).  

Fragrances:  Perfume, cologne, and other scented products should be used sparingly, as some individuals may be sensitive to strong fragrances.

Personal Hygiene:  Clean personal hygiene is expected at all times.  

Jewelry and Tattoos: The company recognizes that personal appearance is an important element of self-expression.  As a result, the company wishes to make no effort to control or dictate team member appearance with regard to jewelry or tattoos, unless they affect the team member’s ability to perform their responsibilities effectively and safely, or if they are considered offensive to reasonable people.

If potential conflict is identified, the team member will be encouraged to identify solutions such as removal of excess jewelry, covering of tattoos, etc. 

Exceptions: 

Exceptions may be made for team members who have religious, cultural, or medical reasons.  Requests for exceptions should be made to the Talent & Culture team and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  

Support Team Members

Team members working at a support office are expected to “dress for their day”.  This means team members should be prepared for any scheduled or potential meetings and take into account what would be considered appropriate professional attire for such meetings.  Team members with limited or no contact with outside customers or vendors should still maintain a professional appearance, in both dress and personal appearance.

Support team members visiting a property site must follow the property team dress code. When in doubt, support team members should follow the most conservative version of the dress code, or confirm dress code with the appropriate Regional Leader.

Property Teams: Office and Administrative

Dress code for team members who work in office and administrative positions at our properties are expected to follow the dress code assigned to them based on asset and market type.  The Regional Leader will determine the appropriate attire for the assets in their portfolio.  At all assets, our team members should project a professional image for our residents and other community visitors.  A full list of properties and their assigned dress code can be found on the Support Center. 

Dress Code A: applicable to A+ assets in major markets

• Business professional attire.
• On Fridays, jeans are permissible with business professional or business casual shirts, logo wear, and non-athletic tennis shoes.

Dress Code B: applicable for non-A assets in major markets

• Business casual attire.
• On Fridays, jeans are permissible with business professional or business casual shirts, logo wear, and non-athletic tennis shoes.

Dress Code C: applicable for tertiary markets

• Logo wear is permissible every day, with non-denim pants or skirts.
• On Fridays, jeans are permissible with business professional or business casual shirts, logo wear, and non-athletic tennis shoes.

Examples of business professional dress include:

• Business suits (pants or skirt)
• Dress slacks or khaki pants with a blazer
• Shirts and blouses with finished necklines or collars, including buttoned shirts
• Professional blouse or sweater
• Professional dresses and skirts of conservative length
• Professional shoes, which may include closed-toe dress sandals in warm seasons

Examples of business casual dress include:

• Shirts and blouses with finished necklines or collars, including buttoned shirts
• Turtleneck shirts and tops
• Golf or polo shirts
• Casual to semi-formal pants and slacks (no jeans)
• Sweaters and cardigans
• Dresses and skirts of conservative length
• Professional shoes, which may include dress sandals in warm seasons

Occasional dress-down days may be scheduled by Community Leaders, with approval from the Regional Leader.  Examples may include days devoted to grounds clean-up or unit inspections.  In these cases, casual non-denim pants and logo wear is appropriate.  

Team members who work in office and administrative positions at our properties are expected to wear their Centerspace name badge while working.  

Team members who work in office and administrative positions at our properties will receive a spring and fall allowance defined in the annual property budget.  Centerspace reserves the option to adjust all apparel allowances as needed based on overall financial performance of the company.

Property Teams: Service and Porters

Centerspace provides apparel for team members working in service or porter positions.  The apparel may not be altered in any way and may not be used for off-duty or recreational purposes. The company store has pants, shorts, shirts, jackets, and hats for service team members to select from using a spring and fall allowance defined in the annual property budget.  Centerspace reserves the option to adjust all apparel allowances as needed based on overall financial performance of the company.

Shoes must be neat in appearance and free of holes, excessive scuffs, and/or stains.  Safety toe work boots are recommended for team members working in service positions.  Flip-flops or other open-toed sandals are not permitted. 

Team members who work in service or porter positions will be expected to wear their Centerspace photo name badge while working. 

Team members must turn in their uniforms upon termination or transfer to a position which does not require a uniform.  Team members who do not return uniforms upon termination or transfer may be required to reimburse the company the cost of the uniforms.  

Policy Violations

If management determines that a team member’s attire or personal appearance does not adhere to the above policy, the team member may be required to go home and change into appropriate attire.  This time may be unpaid or the team member may choose to use PTO or other available paid leave to cover the absence.

Severe or repeated violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.   

Policy Owned By: Talent & Culture & Operations

Also found in the Centerspace Policy Manual.