(A) Dress, grooming, and personal cleanliness standards contribute to the morale of all employees and affect the business image the town presents to its residents, customers of town services, and visitors. During working hours or when representing the town, employees are expected to present a clean, neat, and tasteful appearance. Employees should dress and groom themselves according to the requirements of their position and accepted social standards. This is particularly true if a job involves dealing with residents, customers of town services, or visitors in person.
(B) (1) Utility, Park, Police, and Fire Department employees are required to wear uniforms that meet OSHA standards and shall keep, maintain, and wear said uniform as specified by the supervisor and approved by the Town Council as a result of the annual budget process. Said uniform is not to be worn in public, when off-duty, except when traveling to and from work, unless expressly authorized by the department head.
(2) The town supplies uniforms to all Utility and Park Department employees. Utility Department uniforms are laundered by a professional laundry services weekly at the town’s expense. When an individual terminates his or her employment with the town, his or her uniforms must be returned to the department head. Each Utility Department employee is also issued a coat. Laundering of the coat is the responsibility of the employee. Replacement of the coat will be done as needed, upon the Town Manager’s approval.
(C) Department heads are responsible for establishing a reasonable dress code appropriate to the job employees perform. If a department head feels that an employee’s personal appearance is inappropriate, he or she may be asked to leave the workplace until they are properly dressed or groomed. Under such circumstance, nonexempt employees will not be compensated for the time away from work. Employees should consult with a department head if they have questions as to what constitutes appropriate appearance. Where necessary a reasonable accommodation may be made to a person with a disability. Without unduly restricting individual tastes, the following personal appearance guidelines should be followed:
(1) Shoes must provide safe, secure footing, and offer protection against hazards.
(2) Tank tops and tube or halter tops may not be worn under any circumstances.
(3) Mustaches and beards must be clean, well-trimmed, and neat.
(4) Unnaturally colored hair and extreme hairstyles, such as spiked hair, do not present an appropriate professional appearance.
(5) Long hairstyles should be worn with hair pulled back off the face and neck to avoid interfering with job performance.
(6) Excessive make-up is not permitted.
(7) Offensive body odor and poor personal hygiene is not professionally acceptable.
(8) Perfume, cologne, and after shave lotion should be used moderately or avoided altogether, as some individuals may be sensitive to strong fragrances.
(9) Jewelry should not be functionally restrictive, dangerous to job performance, or excessive.
(10) Facial jewelry, such as eyebrow rings, nose rings, lip rings, and tongue studs, are not professionally appropriate and must not be worn during working hours.
(11) Torso body piercings with visible jewelry or jewelry that may be seen through or under clothing must not be worn during working hours.
(12) Visible excessive tattoos and similar body art must be covered during working hours.
(D) Nothing in this policy shall be interpreted to prohibit or otherwise restrict concerted activities by employees that are protected by law.
(Ord. 2020-26, passed 1-12-21)