Capri Pants, Spaghetti Straps, Ripped Clothes: Nebraska Drills Down On Workplace Attire
The Nebraska Supreme Court has adopted extensive amendments to its court staff dress code.
New definitions
(1) Definitions
Professional Attire: Professional attire means employees shall dress in a conventional businesslike manner; appropriate professional attire includes dresses, skirts, dress slacks, pantsuits, collared shirts, ties, suits, or sport coats. Dress shoes are required.
Business Casual Attire: Business casual attire means employees may dress in khakis or similarly styled pants, shirt, and dress shoes. Shirts should have a collar or finished edge. Capri or “Gaucho” pants may be worn if they are no shorter than mid-calf length and are worn in the same manner as dress slacks, i.e., with a jacket or dress shirt.
Casual Attire: Casual attire shall consist of jeans, a collared shirt with a Nebraska Judicial Branch approved logo or similar shirt, and casual shoes, which may include tennis shoes. Shorts or hats are not permitted unless specifically authorized by the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation to be worn in conjunction with community activities occurring outside, on weekends, or as other conditions warrant.
Field Work is defined as visitations to homes, other places of residence, hospitals, treatment facilities, schools, places of employment, community service sites, nursing homes, or similar locations.
Professional attire is required in court or while representing the court; otherwise business casual fills the bill.
Casual in Nebraska is a privilege, not a right
Casual “jeans” or “denim” days are permitted not more than one day per month at the discretion of the presiding judge, chief probation officer or the division head within the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation. Additional days may be granted at the discretion of the State Court Administrator or the State Probation Administrator.
Body armor
Unless otherwise prevented from doing so, body armor shall be worn under clothing or concealed from public view. At all times, probation officers shall present themselves in appearance as officers of the Court, not as law enforcement officers. Battle dress uniforms (BDUs), “raid-type” jackets, or similar clothing with law enforcement identifiers may be worn only in conjunction with conducting a search or field visits in conjunction with law enforcement.
Verboten
The following is a list of unacceptable attire, not to be considered inclusive, although it is subject to modification by a supervisor or management and the limited exceptions detailed elsewhere in this policy.
· Tank tops, spaghetti-strap tops, strapless tops, or any top that does not completely cover the midriff area.
· Clothing with noticeable wear, including ripped, frayed, dirty, or wrinkled clothing.
· Stretch pants or leggings worn without skirts, dresses, cardigans, and/or long tops.
· Sweat pants, warm-ups, or other athletic clothing.
· Flip-flop sandals, slippers, or Crocs.
· Clothing which is excessively tight, short, lowcut, revealing, or sheer.
Body decor
Tattoos which by slogan and/or design imply negative connotation shall be concealed at all times during working hours.
What constitutes a “negative connotation”?
Piercings
The normal wearing of earrings in the earlobe and/or a small, single “stud” in a nostril is acceptable. Although an employee may have parts of his or her body pierced, all other piercings shall be covered by clothing. The wearing of ear gauges is not permitted…
Have to google ear gauges.
Finally
An employee may request an exemption to parts of these standards based on legitimate medical, religious, or cultural practice.
(Mike Frisch)