State of Vermont
Agency of Administration
Department of Buildings & General Services
Policy 0026
Title: Employee Apparel
Date of Issue: October 11, 2002
Supersedes:
APPLICABILITY
This policy shall apply to all BGS employees. Workplace and workforce safety must always be a primary concern of all BGS employees as we perform our work. Employees need to be aware of safety concerns associated with their duties and understand and follow policies and procedures that have been developed to address these issues. It is the responsibility of supervisors and managers to ensure that employees work safely and have a safe working environment.
It is equally important that our internal and external customers, the general public, and each member of the workforce perceive our department as a professional organization. This image is created, in large part, by the impressions we create through our interactions with others. The tone and content of our e-mail, voice-mail messages, and written documents; the manner in which we answer the telephone and assist callers and visitors; the way we present and conduct ourselves within our offices and while conducting business outside the office; the language we use; and the quality of our work products all reflect on the image of BGS. It is expected that every BGS employee will continue to strive to enhance the view that BGS is a highly effective, professional organization.
PURPOSE
This policy is meant to provide direction and clarification on a standard of dress in order to address the issues of employee safety and to promote a professional image for our Department.
DEFINITIONS
Employee: All classified employees, as well as exempt, appointed, and temporary employees within the Department of Buildings & General Services.
POLICY
Shorts
BGS employees are not permitted to wear shorts when performing duties where the absence of long pants could lead to worker safety concerns. BGS workers are expected to wear "normal office/business attire" when representing the Department at meetings with internal/external customers, members of the legislature, or the general public. Employees whose regularly scheduled duties involve reception duties are expected to wear "normal office/business attire." Managers may use personal discretion and allow workers to wear shorts when doing so does not increase the risk of injury or when heat and humidity make the work environment highly unpleasant.
Shirts
Staff shall, at a minimum, wear t-shirts with short sleeves.
Sandals
No sandals will be worn by any staff where the threat of injury is present.
Please note: Nothing in this memo supercedes BGS Policy #0017 relating to state-supplied clothing; BGS employees who have been issued work-related clothing, shoes, etc. are required to wear them while at work.
Department Approval: Thomas W. Torti, Commissioner
Agency Approval Required: Kathleen C. Hoyt, Secretary