VCOM Faculty Handbook

Personal Appearance and Professional Dress VCOM expects employees to dress and groom themselves in accordance with accepted business standards while at work, particularly if an employee’s job involves dealing with students, vendors, and/or visitors in person. VCOM has established a reasonable dress code appropriate to the job the employee performs and in accordance with professional work standards. VCOM asks that employees use good judgment and common sense in their choice of work clothes and remember to conduct themselves at all times in a way that best represents the professional environment of VCOM. Employees failing to adhere to proper VCOM standards with respect to appearance and dress will be informed that they are not meeting the standards, and if noncompliance with the standard continues, are subject to disciplinary actions, up to and including termination. • Traditional business wear is typically: Business suits, dress shirts, and ties for men. It includes business oriented suits for women, both skirted suits and tailored pantsuits. Leather shoes (dress shoes), socks are also a requirement for any outfit to qualify for traditional business attire. • Business casual wear is typically: Crisp, neat, and clean and should look appropriate even for a chance meeting with a President/CEO or outside visitors to the campus. It should not look like cocktail or party or picnic attire. Employees should avoid provocative (skirts and dresses should be of an appropriate length), tight, or baggy clothing; business casual is classic rather than trendy. Business casual at VCOM does not allow denim-jeans, of any color; flip-flops; t-shirts; sweatshirts; men’s shirts without a collar; shirts or sweatshirts with unprofessional writing; shorts; tank tops; halter tops or exposed shoulder tops; or other such casual dress. • The employee should be dressed appropriate to the job he or she performs and in accordance with VCOM standards. • If on occasion the employee must do work that is not in the usual line of work and risks soiling of clothes, jeans and tennis shoes may be worn, if pre-approved by the employee’s supervisor. • Scrubs may be worn for laboratory work only. An officer or supervisor may send an employee home to change clothes if the employee’s clothing is deemed inappropriate. Confidentiality In a faculty member’s work, they may handle or have access to information of a confidential nature, which can be used only in the performance of their duties. Faculty cannot pass on information to which they have access in their job, nor use it for personal gain or benefit. In other words, when a faculty member is away from their place of employment, they should not discuss any official business that is transacted or any information from the records where they work. All faculty must be aware of FERPA standards, complete FERPA training, and follow FERPA guidelines for confidentiality. Not following FERPA standards is a reason for dismissal. Conflict of Interest VCOM requires that all employees who have a personal interest in an employee-owned business or have a significant financial involvement with a vendor, licensee or potential licensee provide written confirmation that they are following state and VCOM policies regarding conflict of interest or conflict of commitment. Employees are required to dress in traditional business or business casual wear . Faculty Professional and Ethical Policies and Procedures

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