Friday 28 / November / 2025
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia plans unified workplace dress code across all sectors in the Kingdom as per the unified Code of Appearance and Conduct at workplace.
KSA’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has released a draft Code of Appearance and Conduct that would standardise workplace attire across public, private and non-profit sectors.
The framework aims to reinforce national identity, set consistent expectations for professional behaviour and create uniform dress standards for employees throughout the KSA.
The draft outlines distinct requirements for Saudi and expat workers. Saudi men would be required to wear the national thawb with a ghutra or shemagh while expats must follow a strict formal suit dress code, removing ambiguity around business casual norms.
For women, Saudi and expatriate, the code mandates modest, non-transparent and non-tight clothing across workplaces, official events and media appearances, reinforcing expectations of professional decency in all public-facing settings.
In addition to attire, the draft emphasises broader workplace conduct, including personal hygiene, respectful behaviour and restrictions on clothing or accessories with political, ideological or offensive content.
The proposal also places responsibility on employers, who must develop and display internal dress-code policies aligned with HRSD’s guidelines. Non-compliance could result in penalties, with labour law violations historically carrying fines of up to SR 5,000. While the final code may evolve following public feedback, the policy direction signals a major shift toward more structured, identity-based and consistent professional standards, impacting how organisations and employees across the Kingdom present themselves at work.
