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Publix Store Personal Appearance Standards

All appearance standards are gender-neutral.



Smiling associates in approved Publix uniforms. 

Smile

Your smile is the most important part of your uniform. It lets your customers know you're eager to provide premier service. Plus, it just makes working feel more fun.


Associates wearing hair restraints with approved Publix uniforms. 

Hair restraints

Anyone entering a food preparation area is required to wear a Publix-approved hair restraint. Restraints are required by food code. When worn correctly, they keep hair from touching or falling into food, equipment, utensils, linens, unwrapped single-service and single-use items. They allow us to meet our commitment to providing the highest level of food safety for our customers.

  • All hair, including bangs, should be contained within the restraint. No hair should be visible outside the hair restraint.
  • Restraints should cover the area from below the hairline of your forehead, running just above your ears, to below the hairline on the back of your head.
  • If you have long hair, use two Publix-supplied hair restraints to ensure all hair is contained. If needed, a mesh hair restraint in a neutral color provided by the associate can be worn under Publix-supplied hair restraints to contain long hair.
  • If you have shorter hair, you can use a single Publix-supplied hair restraint.
  • If you have facial hair, wear a beard restraint.
  • Publix will provide you with different styles and sizes and will choose the hair restraints approved for use. 

Male or female hair must follow these requirements.

Hair

Male or female hair must follow these requirements:

  • Be clean, neat and appropriately styled.
  • Be tied off the shoulders and away from the face, if it's long enough to touch the shoulders.
  • Not hang below the eyebrows or in the face.
  • Not distract or cause unnecessary attention.
Allowed

Example of hair color that is allowed.Woman with short blonde hairWoman with natural hairMan with hair bun

  • Highlights: Up to any 2 colors.
  • Whole-head coloring: natural colors only (brown, black, blond, etc.).
Not allowed

Example of hair color that is not allowed.Person with red hair

  • Highlights in more than 2 colors.
  • Whole-head coloring that is not natural.

Note: Publix-approved hair restraints must be worn in food preparation areas.


Male associate with approved hair style.

Facial hair

If you have facial hair, you must present a neat, clean and professional appearance.

  • Beards must follow these requirements:
    • Be no longer than approximately 1 inch in length.
    • Have a defined cheek line and neckline, with the remainder of the face clean-shaven.
    • Be well-groomed and appropriately cared for.
  • Mustaches cannot hang below the upper lip.

Note: Publix-approved beard restraints must be worn in food preparation areas.


Female associates wearing approved makeup. 

Makeup

If you wear makeup, it must be applied lightly and carefully.


Hands and nails

  • Hands and nails must be kept clean.
  • Nails must follow these requirements:
    • Be no longer than medium length (approximately 1/8 inch from the end of the finger to the tip of the nail).
    • Be filed, neatly maintained and professional-looking.
    • Not interfere with work functions.
  • Not allowed: Nail designs with messaging or branding.
  • In food preparation areas, you must follow these requirements:
    • If you wear polished nails or false nails, you must wear approved gloves that are intact and in good condition.
    • You may not wear jewelry on your hands except for a plain ring, such as a wedding band.

Ear piercings

Ear piercings should not interfere with assigned work functions.

Allowed

Example of piercing that is allowed.Example of piercing that is allowed.

  • No more than 4 piercings per ear (an industrial bar counts as 1 piercing).
  • Hoops no more than 1 inch in diameter (about the size of a quarter), except in food preparation areas.
  • Dangle earrings up to 2 1/2 inches long, except in food preparation areas.
  • Gauges up to 3/4 inch (about the size of a nickel).
    • If you have stretched earlobe holes that are bigger than 3/4 inch, you must wear flesh-tone plugs.

Not allowed

  • More than 4 piercings per ear.
  • Wearing hoops or dangling earrings in food preparation areas.
  • Gauges larger than 3/4 inch.
  • Concealing jewelry that’s not permitted with bandages or tape.
  • Extreme earrings.

Example of piercing that is allowed.

Facial piercings

Facial piercings should not interfere with assigned work functions. 

Allowed

Example of piercing that is allowed.

Only 2 facial piercings.
Any combination from the list below counts toward the total of 2. (Note: 2 piercings may look like 4 pieces of jewelry.)

  • Tongue piercing (only 1 is allowed).
  • Nose piercing, excluding septum.
  • Bite piercings around the perimeter of the mouth.
  • Eyebrow piercing.

Not allowed

Example of piercing that is not allowed.Example of piercing that is not allowed.

  • More than 2 facial piercings.
  • Lip piercings, including the inner lip.
  • Septum piercings.
  • Spikes or sharp-edged jewelry.

Rings

  • Limit rings to 1 on each hand.
  • When working in food preparation areas, only a plain ring, such as a wedding band, is allowed. No other jewelry is permitted on your hands.

Other jewelry

  • Jewelry should not
    • be too fancy or obvious
    • get in the way of work functions and
    • have messaging or branding.
  • When working with exposed food, jewelry worn around your neck must be contained within your shirt or blouse.
  • While working in food preparation areas, only a plain ring like a wedding band is allowed. No other jewelry is permitted on your arms and hands.
  • Concealing jewelry that may be considered fad or extraordinary with coverings, such as bandages or tape, is not allowed.  

Phones

  • Cellphones must be on silent or vibrate, so they don't distract you from serving customers.
  • If you're using Publix-approved tools like Publix PRO, you may use your personal mobile device during work hours for job-related functions. Your device must remain on silent or vibrate.
  • If a store manager determines the use of cellphones or smartphones is creating a business distraction or potential safety issue, they may decide not to allow associates to carry them while working. 

Perfume and cologne

Perfume and cologne may be worn but in moderation.


Undergarments

Proper undergarments must be worn at all times.


Gum

Chewing gum is not allowed.


Hygiene and appearance

Take pride in your appearance and practice good personal habits.

You are expected to

  • bathe regularly and
  • be clean and free of body odors when starting work.