No flip-flops or exposed belly buttons for Kentucky state workers

[Judi Lynn]

October 24, 2016 3:41 PM

No flip-flops or exposed belly buttons for Kentucky state workers

By Jack Brammer
[e-mail]



FRANKFORT —

Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration has banned flip-flops and exposed midriffs in a new dress code for Kentucky’s more than 31,000 executive branch employees.

Personnel Secretary Thomas B. Stephens set the policy, which took effect Oct. 16, for all state workers in the executive branch. Violators could face disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

Jodi Whitaker, a spokeswoman for the Personnel Cabinet, said Monday that individual state cabinets may initiate policies with more stringent guidelines based on their needs, but all must follow the four points in Stephens’ code.

. . .

Under the policy for all executive branch employees, workers must carry or wear identification badges or other agency-identifying clothing. No one can wear flip-flops in the workplace, tops that expose the midriff or clothing with large commercial logos or offensive language. An employee may seek accommodations for religious, medical or disability-related needs.


More:
http://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article110173732.html?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link&ICID=ref_fark#storylink=cpy

[MissB]

1. That's just plain weird. Or hilarious.

I live on the left coast so that no flip flops rule is just silly. Heck, my coworker wears "dressy" flip flops to the office. What makes them dressy? They are leather! Seriously.

Our office has a "look generally professional" rule but that's as prescriptive as they get. Folks can wear white pants and red undies and a shirt with a plunging neckline and no one - not one manager- will be pulling anyone aside to tell them to change. My section tends to wear jeans because we go in the field and need to be able to head out the door whenever. My boss shows her midriff now and then. I'm just envious she has less stretch marks than me.

[closeupready]

18. I wouldn't want to work in your office environment.

[FrodosPet]

2. For public facing positions, absolutely

Speaking as someone who dresses like a slob pretty much always...I sit and home and work, or I go to the store, or a park, or a friend's house, no big whoop.

When I've had public facing jobs, I dress the part. Sorry. That's how people's head work. Some clothes build confidence in the abilities and professionalism of who is wearing them, and some distract.

If you have a beach bar full of Jimmy Buffett and Bob Marley - ya, I want you in a bare midriff and wearing flip flops. I am walking out if you aren't. OTOH, when I am dealing with the state in any way, it is NOT for kicks and giggles. Dress like a grown up.

[cwydro]

3. I don't have a problem with dressing professionally.

Every job I've had expects that, even those where we can wear more casual clothes.

I don't particularly want to see my coworkers' belly buttons.

[malaise]

4. Same here

Sad that they would need to state this.

[closeupready]

19. +1.

[LWolf]

5. I do.

I have a big problem with:

1. Judging people by what they are wearing; as long as it's clean, in good repair, and fits well, it shouldn't matter. The shallowness inherent in the concept of "professional dress" repels me. It kind of reminds me, in a milder way, of deforming the feet of upper class Chinese baby girls; a status symbol that sorts and limits us.

2. Having worn "professional dress" when necessary, I know that it restricts my physical movement and activity. No, thanks.

3. Taking things to the dry cleaners; I expect my clothes to wash and wear. As a busy professional, I don't have time for anything else, and dry cleaning, while improving, is not environmentally friendly. AND, since I tend to spill, food, drink, and ink, they can't be too expensive to replace when stains don't come out.


To be honest, when I see a suit, my gut automatically tells me, "Snake. Don't trust him or her." Maybe that's just my working class roots reacting. I freely admit to bias.

I dress for comfort in the environment I'm working in. I can do so without being sloppy. Thankfully, in this region, that's good enough. Being comfortable allows me to focus on my job, instead of on what people with limited capacity to see others think. And there certainly IS an element of PR in my profession; I've discovered that once people have worked with you, they tend to see you as a professional, instead of seeing what you are wearing.

Because that's what a professional is; someone who practices a profession. "Professional" is the person, not the clothes.

[titaniumsalute]

6. I wore a suit last night...as did all the men on my staff.

We raised $85,000 for low income people to receive free mammograms. Do you trust me?

[LWolf]

7. I don't know.

You're an anonymous person on the internet, so, no, probably not. Nothing personal, but I don't know you.

Were people donating money to see you in your suit?

[cwydro]

11. So since you don't trust people who wear suits, it seems you DO judge others by what they wear.

[LWolf]

12. Yes. No. Sort of.

Because I have to be upfront about my own bias, and I think I was.

Not everyone who wears a suit is untrustworthy, of course. I understand that social conditioning leads people to think what they do about "professional dress," both in favor and against.

Born and raised in the poor working class, a "suit" is usually someone with more power, and people with power are usually exerting that power to manipulate, extort, or take advantage. That's my social conditioning. That, and a suit is a symbol of authority, and, for better or for worse, I don't trust or respect authority. That, and the social conditioning that gives power, authority, and respect to people who dress a certain way or look a certain way is repellent.

My bias aside, though, I'll reiterate the point: "professional" refers to a person with training and expertise in a particular area. They "practice" their "profession" in that area. "Professional" is the person. Not the clothes.

[FSogol]

22. Not with the Chief Wahoo logo.

Sorry.

[snooper2]

15. Oh Jesus U. Christ telling somebody to dress appropriately isn't close to deforming feet

Like saying FGM is similar to getting your ear pierced...

[CBGLuthier]

17. ??!???!????!???!!!???????

3 excellent points. We are having quite the chuckle. Have you considered a career in comedy writing? I could hear a real pompous type of comedian deliver this material. It would kill.

[tblue37]

9. +1. And unlike most such dress codes, this one doesn't target only women. nt

[Vinca]

8. I don't have a problem with dressing appropriately for a job.

If you're serving drinks at a bar on the shore flipflops and belly buttons are fine. If you're representing the state government as an employee, you should dress differently.

[Old Vet]

10. I basicly agree also, If you represent the state, You need to act and look the part "professional"

[FSogol]

23. Flipflops would be terrible in a bar. Glasses and bottles break easily.

I would send any bar staff wearing flipflops home.

[AngryAmish]

13. I have been to Kentucky. This is a good thing.

[snooper2]

16. ROFLMAO

[WillowTree]

14. The flip-flops thing is also a safety issue often.

Closed shoes are obviously better protection from foot injuries.

In general, I'm not opposed to reasonable dress code guidelines, particularly in positions that interact with the public or clients. In most places, these codes are considerably less restrictive for both men and women than they used to be and I pretty much figure that when I'm on the clock, one of the things that they're paying me to do it project the company's (or, in this case, the office's) image, not mine. I can do that on my own time.

[RobinA]

20. I've Been Working

everywhere from retail to a large law firm to several psychiatric hospitals to various stops in-between since 1980 and I don't think I've ever worked anywhere where you could wear any of that stuff. Who wears a midriff-bearing top to work?!?!?!

OK, I can think of several entertainment industry jobs where one might wear a midriff-bearing top. But other than that...