Chapter 3.47
BOOTS, UNIFORMS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE
Sections:
3.47.010 Boot allowance.
Field employees are required to wear lace-up (no pull-on or zipper insert) protective footwear with a minimum ankle support of five inches while performing normal district activities. In addition, protective footwear must meet the requirements of the American National Standards (ANSI) standards: ASTM F2412-2005, ASTM F 2413-2005 as referenced by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
The district provides a specified boot allowance to qualified employees on a fiscal-year basis. The general manager will approve the amount.
After September 1, 2004, and each July 1st thereafter, employees required to wear protective footwear will receive reimbursement for boots purchased up to the amount approved by the general manager.
After purchasing appropriate protective footwear, eligible employees must submit the original receipt to the immediate supervisor for verification and approval. To be eligible for reimbursement, receipts or shipping bill for mail-order items must be dated within 30 days of submittal except at the end of the fiscal year. To apply for reimbursement for a closing fiscal year, submittal must be dated no later than June 30th and must be received by the accounting department no later than July 15th of the new fiscal year.
Under certain conditions where protective footwear is damaged or is deemed to be unsafe, and the employee has already exhausted his/her annual boot allowance, the director of water operations, chief plant operator, or customer service and billing manager, with the concurrence of the general manager, may authorize reimbursement for an additional pair of protective footwear up to the amount of the annual boot allowance or the actual costs of the footwear, whichever is less.
Employee responsibility: Except under the circumstance described above, the employee will be responsible for the difference between the cost of the protective footwear and the amount of the annual boot allowance.
The employee will be responsible for wearing protective footwear during working hours. The employee will be responsible for the reasonable care and maintenance of his or her protective footwear.
The employee is expected to inform supervisor when protective footwear needs to be replaced. [Res. 19-19 § 2 (Att. A); Res. 12-18 Att. A; Res. 10-13 Art. 8 § T. Formerly 3.45.200].
3.47.020 Uniforms.
All field employees are required to wear district-provided uniforms. The purpose of the uniform is to both protect the employee and present an identifiable, professional and neat image to our customers and the public. Uniforms are provided to all field employees and shall be worn in accordance with the following during working hours:
A. Pants. Uniform pants can be provided for by the district, or employees may provide their own pants which will be blue denim or Dickie’s-style and must be supervisor-approved, at the supervisor’s discretion. District-provided pants will be cleaned by the district. Employee-provided pants will be cleaned by the employee. The condition and appearance of pants is the responsibility of the employee and it is his/her responsibility to inform the uniform company of needed repairs or replacement of district-provided pants.
B. Shorts. The wearing of shorts is not permitted.
C. Shirts. Work shirts are provided by the district. District T-shirts may be purchased by the employee at no cost to the district. Both are an identifiable part of the uniform and must be worn with the uniform. The district will launder district-provided shirts, and the employee will launder T-shirts, which must be maintained with no excessive fading, stains, holes or unkempt appearance.
D. Jackets. Approved lightweight and heavy jackets will be provided and shall be worn when an employee chooses to wear something that covers his/her approved shirt. The general manager will approve a dollar amount for both jackets. If heavier gear than that provided by the district is required for severe weather conditions, employees may provide their own jackets with supervisor approval. Employees will clean jackets, whether district-provided or employee-provided.
E. Hats. The district will provide uniform hats for field personnel. Additionally, field personnel may wear their own hats, which must be one color and must not have any type of logo on them. Wearing of a hat is not required, but if a hat is worn it is to be one approved by the employee’s supervisor.
In the event of employee termination, uniforms (with normal wear and tear) are to be returned as part of the exit process. If they are not returned, the district will deduct the cost of the uniforms from final pay due the employee. [Res. 19-19 § 2 (Att. A); Res. 12-18 Att. A; Res. 10-13 Art. 8 § U. Formerly 3.45.210].
3.47.030 Clothing safety.
Every conceivable safety precaution cannot be listed. Employees are to be aware, safe, and use common sense when performing various job functions. At a minimum, the following safety precautions are to be taken:
A. Wear sunscreen whenever needed. The district provides this item.
B. Wear safety glasses, hard hat, and safety vest whenever needed. The district provides these items.
C. Wear coveralls, waders or other leg protection when fixing leaks, cutting metal pipe, using cutting torch, working with liquid chlorine, and while performing other related duties where leg protection is warranted. The district provides these items. [Res. 12-18 Att. A; Res. 10-13 Art. 8 § V. Formerly 3.45.220].
3.47.040 Tattoos and jewelry.
A. Tattoos shall be covered, as requested by a supervisor.
B. All jewelry worn by employees must be appropriate so it does not detract from a professional appearance. All facial piercing jewelry such as nose piercing, tongue piercing, eyebrow piercing, lip piercing, or any facial piercing jewelry is prohibited. [Res. 12-18 Att. A; Res. 10-13 Art. 8 § W. Formerly 3.45.230].
3.47.050 Personal hygiene.
A. Personal hygiene is essential. Therefore, it is necessary that all employees maintain a clean, presentable appearance. Personal hygiene includes a regular bath/shower, use of deodorant, and appropriate oral hygiene.
B. Strong odors caused by perfumes, scented hair sprays, and aftershave lotions can be offensive and are to be used in moderation out of concern for the comfort of others.
C. Employees are expected to maintain appropriate and professional hairstyles. Beards, sideburns and mustaches must be clean and neatly groomed. Hair must be properly restrained for its length and job assignment. Hair coloring must be within the range of natural hair colors. [Res. 12-18 Att. A; Res. 10-13 Art. 8 § X. Formerly 3.45.240].