(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.

   (2) Courtroom and Other Professional Activities

   Professional attire is required in court and when participating in or attending other professional activities in which an employee is representing the Nebraska Judicial Branch.

   (3) Office Staff not Required to Attend Court

     Business casual attire is acceptable when not required to attend court. Business casual attire is required while conducting business during the course of the day and for field work unless otherwise specified per subsection (5) of this policy.

   (4) Specific Designations for Casual

   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.

   (5) Field Work

   Business casual attire is required during field work unless the location or purpose of the visit warrants a more casual attire. Such more casual attire shall be pre-approved and appropriate for the type of field work being performed. No sandals or open-toed shoes may be worn for field work.

   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.

   (6) Training Events

   Trainers/presenters/trainees are expected to present themselves in professional or business casual attire while attending or conducting training and providing education. Casual attire is permissible while attending a training or educational event only when specifically designated and as approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation.

   (7) Unacceptable Attire

   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, low-cut, revealing, or sheer.

   (8) Other Considerations

   Drug technicians, substance use monitors, or others serving a majority of their time in similar roles are permitted to wear scrubs or other suitable attire while performing assigned duties while in the lab/office.

   Tattoos which by slogan and/or design imply negative connotation shall be concealed at all times during working hours.

   Jewelry and other accessories shall not present a safety hazard nor be offensive to clients and co-workers.

1. Jewelry shall not be functionally restrictive or excessive.

2. Jewelry which, by its slogan, and/or design, implies a negative connotation is prohibited.

   Body Piercings: Excessive body piercing in nontraditional areas of the body may distract from the normal course of business, and therefore, such piercings shall not be visible.

1. 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.

2. All staff is advised to consider safety precautions in their choice of clothing, jewelry, and shoes.

2. An employee may request an exemption to parts of these standards based on legitimate medical, religious, or cultural practice.

   (9) Special Occasion Exceptions

   Costumes, holiday specific outfits, or other special event outfits are acceptable for predetermined special occasions/holidays upon preapproval from the presiding judge, chief probation officer, the State Court Administrator, or the State Probation Administrator.

   (10) Action to be Taken or Sanctions for Inappropriate Dress

   A supervisor may require an individual employee to change clothes in the event that an employee’s attire does not fit the above criteria. The time required to change such clothes may be considered an official leave of absence without pay for the employee. Subsequent violations may be cause for disciplinary action.

Amended November 23, 2011; amended November 10, 2021.