Agency to Implement New Casual Day Policy

As outlined in the Staff Handbook, Heartland AEA employees are expected to dress and conduct themselves in a professional manner appropriate to their employment environment and job duties.

We have received a consistent request and message from employees regarding the option for them to wear jeans on Fridays as well as a message of trusting staff to make decisions on how they dress. In view of this feedback, agency leadership considered the effect of the needs of our partners, those we serve and supporting a staff culture consistent with our agency mission and values. After consideration, effective November 25, 2009, we will modify the dress code policy to include casual dress days. The expanded policy is outlined below. We want to thank staff for their open communication and valuable contribution to the Agency and to those we serve.

Casual Days
Effective: November 25, 2009

Casual dress is an option for staff members on the last working day of the week. Casual dress may include wearing jeans.

For the purposes of celebrations, staff rewards and for cleaning/moving days, the Agency may announce additional casual dress days. The Communications Department will announce when other casual days may be in effect agency-wide. Partnership directors and other supervisors may announce such days by region. In addition, staff may participate in any district-declared casual days so long as they are of special occasion and are not part of a daily relaxed dress code in a given district.

When participating in casual dress days, staff members are expected to wear clothes and shoes that are in good repair, clean and are appropriate for wearing to work. Clothes should be appropriately modest for a work setting. Messages on clothing may not be profane, obscene, vulgar, have sexual overtones or promote alcohol, tobacco or drugs. Tattoos of the same must be covered.

When such casual days are scheduled or announced agency-wide, regionally or in a specific district, staff members should avoid dressing casual in situations such as:
• When staff are presenting to a group of professionals or group of parents.
• When staff will be visiting in districts that have a dress code in place. We honor the dress code of our partners.
• When in important meetings in which professional dress is appropriate, such as hosting visiting teachers from out of state, legislative visitors, etc.

If you have any questions about this new policy, contact Nola Bond at nbond@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14318 or Chris Pierson at cpierson@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14400.