Purpose and Scope
To formalize a departmental policy that promotes a professional appearance and establishes personal identification. This SOP covers all PFD employees, including student employees.
Policy
In order to maintain a professional appearance, employees of the Physical Facilities Department are expected to report for work in attire that is clean, neat, and in good repair. The type of clothing worn should be commonly regarded as appropriate for the performance of assigned duties. Uniform shirts, pants, outerwear, and protective clothing provided by the University will be worn as required and deemed appropriate. The employee's personal grooming should also be clean and neat. All Physical Facilities employees are to wear the uniform attire provided and/or appropriate professional business attire as required.
Special Provisions
Hair Protection
Long hair and/or beards may become entangled in some equipment. It will be the employee's responsibility to take proper safety precautions, such as tying back long hair or tucking hair inside hat or collar when working with or around such equipment.
Clothing
A) Clothing Provided
AFSCME and SATSS employees required to wear the standard PFD style uniform, will be provided with five (5) uniform shirts, five (5) uniform pants, and one (1) PFD hat (optional) upon hire to the PFD. One (1) uniform jacket/sweatshirt will also be provided. Wearing a hat is optional. Should employee choose to wear a hat, it must be the hat provided or an appropriate Miami University hat.
If jackets, sweatshirts, and/or special insulated outerwear are provided, it will be worn as the outer garment. If only the shirt is worn, in more temperate weather, it will also be worn as the outer garment.
Temporary AFSCME employees will be provided uniform garments, but the quantity provided will be determined by the appropriate Director. The length of temporary service and type of work performed must be considered.
Student employees are not required to wear a uniform and are permitted to dress casually. It is the responsibility of the student employee’s supervisor to determine the appropriate dress requirements for their student. In most cases jeans and shorts would be considered acceptable.
SATSS employees required to wear the management style uniform will be provided with five (5) shirts, five (5) uniform pants, one (1) uniform jacket/sweatshirt, and one (1) hat (optional).
SATSS employees not required to wear a uniform and unclassified staff will be provided with two (2) shirts. This issue will be as budgeted funds allow.
All new employees will be required to sign their order form indicating their original choice of uniform articles. The Department is not responsible for exchange of garments the employee ordered in error; however, they will make every effort to accommodate the employee utilizing any “in stock” inventory.
Employees may wear PFD uniform apparel they receive for recognition by their Division that has been approved by that Division Director.
B) Types of Acceptable Clothing
All work clothing will be clean, fit properly, and in good repair to provide protection to the skin from cuts, bruises, and chemical contamination, and also, to maintain a professional appearance. Shirts will be tucked in and buttoned. If there are belt loops, pants/slacks/skirts will be secured at the waist with a belt or suspenders. For safety reasons, sandals and open toed shoes will not be permitted (office employees may be exempt from this provision).
Uniforms will be free of slogans, logos and designs except those provided by the University and uniform supplier. All clothing will be free of profanity and offensive slogans. The Department wants all of its employees to present a professional image while performing work for Miami University.
Unclassified staff and SATSS staff not required to wear a PFD uniform may wear one of the PFD uniform shirts provided with appropriate slacks or skirts, or dress in appropriate professional business attire. Examples of appropriate professional business attire for the male staff are suits, sport coats or cardigan sweaters with shirt and tie and suitable slacks; with a minimum requirement of a shirt and tie. This policy will require the equivalent outline of dress requirements for our female staff. Examples of appropriate professional business attire for the female staff are suits, dresses, blouses/sweaters, skirts/slacks, etc. Examples of unacceptable attire for the office staff are jean pants of any color, denim slacks of any kind, shorts, t-shirts, gym shoes, etc. These examples are to be used as a guideline and are not intended to be a complete list. On occasion, certain staff may be offered the opportunity to participate in University-sponsored spirit wear events. If these events are not in alignment with the uniform policy stated in this SOP, participation shall be requested to and at the discretion of the Associate VP – Facilities Planning and Operation.
C) Shorts
AFSCME employees required to wear the standard PFD style uniform may wear shorts with the approval of their Division Director. Shorts are not provided as part of the uniform issuance. If shorts are permitted to be worn by the Division Director, it will be the responsibility of the employee to provide them. Acceptable shorts are golf or cargo style and kahki in color. All shorts must be hemmed and be an appropriate length (no more than 3 inches above the knee). Any decision regarding the appropriateness or style of shorts is held by the Division Director. Shorts may be worn at any time during the year. Note: Shorts should not be worn in extreme cold weather. Reasons why shorts may not be acceptable for certain positions include safety requirements or if the employee is engaged in a public service contact role or is highly visible during a formal special event. Employees who choose to wear shorts will be required to keep a pair of long pants available for protection from cuts, scrapes, or chemical contamination when engaged in tasks that may expose them to the possibility of this type of injury.
D) Resigning/Transferring /Terminated /Retiring Employees
Employees who leave the Department must turn in the original quantity of uniform articles provided, as indicated on their signed order form. The employee is responsible for delivering their uniform articles to their manager/supervisor. The manager/supervisor is then responsible for returning the items to the departmental person in charge of ordering the uniforms. If a new employee resigns before receiving their uniform order, the manager/supervisor will bring the packaged order to the Front Office to be placed in new stock inventory.
E) Annual Replacement
All employees required to wear a uniform will be provided with an additional two (2) shirts and two (2) pant each year.
F) Replacement
Uniform articles lost, damaged, or stolen through misuse or neglect by the employee, will be replaced at the employee’s expense. If employee’s supervisor determines uniform article has been damaged in job-related activity, the article will be replaced by Department. The supervisor must submit the reason for this claim along with the damaged article to the department’s uniform issuer. Note: As an option, all staff members may purchase additional PFD uniform articles.
Special Activities
If an employee is engaged in an activity that requires the wearing of special protective clothing or devices, the University will provide such equipment and devices, and the employee must wear them in accordance with the instructions for their use.
Revision History