Labor Authority Issues Directive on Employee Dress Code and Appearance: Tattoo Covering and Ban on Sportswear at Work
The Public Authority for Manpower issued a directive specifying dress code and appearance regulations, including a ban on sportswear and mandatory tattoo covering, along with the requirement to wear an ID badge, effective November 1.
Translated by Qiyas from الأنباء — Original source
Kuwait officials: The Public Authority for Manpower issued Circular No. 16 of 2026 concerning the regulations on professional attire and appearance for its employees, as part of its commitment to strengthening institutional identity and reinforcing a professional image before the public. The circular took effect on November 1 of this year.
The Authority specified a number of guidelines, the most prominent of which include maintaining a decent, clean, and well-groomed appearance; choosing subdued colors; avoiding eye-catching clothing or garments bearing inappropriate slogans; prohibiting sportswear or torn clothes; avoiding excessive accessories; and covering tattoos during work hours. It also emphasized the necessity of visibly wearing the official identification badge throughout working hours.
The circular designated the official national dress or formal attire as the approved uniform for male employees, and a modest official uniform in subdued colors for female employees. It permitted workers in artistic and field roles to wear professional clothing appropriate to the nature of their work, while mandating that labor inspectors wear a jacket or vest with judicial police status during field inspections.
The Authority stressed that non-compliance with the circular’s provisions constitutes an administrative violation. First-time offenders will receive a warning via a memo through the correspondence system, while repeated violations will trigger prescribed disciplinary measures. Direct supervisors are tasked with monitoring compliance.
