Professional Image and Conduct Policy Applies to: All Employees in Plant Operations

POLICY Issued: June 17, 2010 Revised: October 25, 2010 Revised: January 24, 2012

The policy is to allow employees to wear comfortable attire, while being mindful of professional image and conduct as well as professional attire.

PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for , appearance, conduct and safety of all Plant Operations personnel. The department staff should present a visual identity that represents our professionalism and contribution to the university.

DEFINITIONS

A. Attire - Business casual means dressing a step down from the normal attire. Business casual style may include a polo with Dockers-style pants. Women could dress down from professional attire by wearing nice slacks, knee-length and .

B. Casual Friday Attire – Casual Friday attire is Business Casual attire with a Plant Operations polo and pants or for uniformed employees. Plant Operations polo, any polo, shirt/ (women) paired with Dockers-style pants or denim jeans, slacks or (women) for non-uniform employees.

C. Head Gear – Any or that covers the head.

D. Jeans – Pants and/or being made of denim material that are clean and presentable, fit appropriately and without wrinkles. The following are not allowed when wearing jeans:

a. Novelty items on jeans b. Rips, holes and/or tears c. Fraying

E. Professional Business Attire – Professional dress means: professional pants, or dress skirts, dress , business blouses, ties as appropriate, or .

F. and – Footwear should be appropriate for the work performed and for all staff that are in the field, work on projects or in shops, closed-toed shoes are required in shop areas for uniformed employees.

G. Summer – Is between the last day of classes of the Spring Semester and the first day of the Fall Semester.

H. Professional Conduct – Exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace, complying with all SAM and MAPP and Policies.

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POLICY GUIDELINES

All Plant Operations Employees  Identification badges are to be prominently displayed on the front of the staff member so the photo is clearly visible to others.  must be clean, fit properly, and be in good repair.  All clothing must be free of profanity and offensive slogans.  Headwear – All should have a UH or Plant Operations logo. and caps are not to be worn in meetings other than religious headwear.  Employees should have good personal hygiene. Hair, including facial hair, should be clean and well groomed. Hair may not be dyed any unnatural hair colors.  Employees should be aware of the use of safety and personal protective equipment. For questions or concerns, contact Environmental Health and Safety department.  Supervisor may designate attire for special work assignments consistent with the intent of the professional appearance and safety concerns of the department.

Uniformed Employees  Service and maintenance employees are required to wear a Plant Operations uniform.  Shirts are to be buttoned and tucked into uniform pants. Custodial smocks may be worn un-tucked.  A or are to be worn with pants.  To ensure personal safety, no open-toed shoes are permitted.  See attached Addendum regarding uniform specifications.  Hats which display the University of Houston or designated logos may be worn during the work day, but are required to be worn in the traditional manner (hat bill facing front).  Shoes must be resistant (custodial), steel toe (labor services) or non-steel toe made of safety composite (electricians), be in brown or black color and made of leather or leather-like material only.

Non-uniformed Employees- “Professional Business Attire”  Employees are expected to portray a professional appearance/image.  Professional Business Attire - must be worn when attending meetings involving individuals from outside Plant Operations.  Employees may wear Business Casual attire during the summer, which is between the last day of classes of the Spring Semester and the first day of the Fall Semester.

Casual Friday Attire

 Uniformed staff may wear Plant Operations Polo with a (no T-Shirts) with their uniform pants or well maintained denim jeans.  Non-uniformed employees may wear Plant Operations Polo with a collar (no T-Shirts) with Docker’s style pants or well-maintained denim jeans.

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 Red shirts are encouraged to be worn in an effort to express Cougar Pride and support the University’s goals towards advancement.

Examples of unacceptable attire, this list is not all-inclusive  Suggestive attire: See-through garment which reveal , halter tops, bare midriff/bare back tops, sleeveless garments, tank tops/muscle shirts, low-cut garments which reveal cleavage and low cut pants or other revealing clothing.  Attire with alcohol, profanity, illegal substances, cigarettes/tobacco or sexually explicit graphics.  Sweatshirts, , , .  Shoes – Beach , flip-flops, tennis, and canvas shoes.  Blue jeans or other denim and denim like garments, except on Casual Fridays.

Professional Conduct

 Employees will respect the diversity of individuals in the workplace.

 Employees will not use vulgar, intimidating or abusive language, or otherwise engage in conduct that reflects poorly on Plant Operations.

 Employees will comply with the University Policy on Violence (MAPP 02.04.04).

 Employees will comply with the University’s MAPP Policy (07.02.02), including the prohibition of smoking:

 In every University-owned or leased motor vehicle.  Within 15 feet of any entrance to every building on campus.

 The use of all Tobacco products, including Chewing Tobacco, is prohibited during the work shift or while representing the University. Tobacco use will be limited to only during an employee break and away from the designated work area(s). Per university policy, the use tobacco will be designated only in areas of a minimum 25-foot distance from campus buildings.

Enforcement

 Supervisors are responsible for the enforcement of the policy, and violations of the policy may be cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

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Addendum:

Specifications & Assignment

A. All Plant Operations employees will be assigned a total of 7 uniforms which may consist of any combination of approved pants and shirts. B. Employees will be allowed to choose from the following uniform options, each of these items will be kept in stock in University Stores: . Black Flat-Front Pants . Black . Beige (short or long sleeve) Polo Shirt (with or without pocket) . Red (short or long sleeve) Polo Shirt (with or without pocket) . Red Smock (custodians only) . Blue Button Up (short or long sleeve) Shirt (designated for supervisors only) C. One Black BeltEach employee will be provided with one light . Employees that spend more than 50% of their time outdoors will be provided with an additional heavy , this will require the approval of the shop supervisor. D. Employees may have up to two (2) university provided hats assigned to them.

Distribution A. New employees will be assigned up to 7 uniforms before their start date. B. Current employees can replace old uniforms with new uniforms once they can show the old uniforms are no longer usable and not in good repair. C. A completed Uniform Order Form will be required for all new uniforms assigned (See Exhibit A).

Supervisor and Employee Responsibilities

A. Supervisors are to ensure each full time uniformed employee has a minimum of 7 uniforms in good repair. B. Employees are accountable for keeping uniforms in good and clean condition, and should not require excessive replacements. C. Supervisors are to be designated by wearing blue button up style shirts.

Shoe Reimbursements

A. Employees that are required to wear specialized shoes are eligible for reimbursement with supervisory approval.

B. Reimbursable amounts are as follows:

Shoe Type Shop Reimbursement Amount Slip Resistant Custodial $30.00 Steel Toe Auto, Grounds, Labor $40.00 Skilled Trades Electrician Boots Electrical $70.00

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