RESINDED PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE POLICY (A1507) 2024-06-26.PDF

Maricopa County — Formal (2024-06-26)

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MARICOPA COUNTY INTERNAL POLICY 
 
Policy Title: 
PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE 
Policy Number: 
A1507 
Current Adoption Date: 
07-05-2023 
Current Implementation Date: 
07-05-2023 
Approved by: 
COUNTY MANAGER 
Board Agenda Number: 
N/A 
Original Adoption Date: 
05-1997 
 
I. PURPOSE 
To establish standards for appropriate business attire and appearance that maintain a professional image 
while representing Maricopa County. 
II. AUTHORITY 
This Policy is authorized by the County Manager. 
III. APPLICATION 
This Policy applies to all Maricopa County appointed departments, the Flood Control District of Maricopa 
County, and the Maricopa County Library District (Special Districts).  
An elected office may follow this Policy for its employees when it does not have a similar policy. 
IV. DEFINITIONS 
A. Appointing Authority: The single administrative or executive head of a department or the designated 
representative authorized to act in this capacity. 
B. Casual Days: Designated workdays where a relaxed dress code is allowed. 
C. Clothing: All garments, attire, and accessories worn by a person. 
D. County Facility: Any structure, portion thereof, or land owned or leased by Maricopa County, including 
the location of any County-sponsored event, except where an Agreement or Board action or special 
designation takes precedence. 
E. Department HR: A department’s internal human resources office or HR Liaison if there is no office. 
F. Work Time: Generally, all hours from the beginning to the end of the employee’s shift, except for periods 
when the employee is relieved of all duties for meal periods or other approved leaves of absence. 
V. POLICY 
A.  General Guidelines 
1. During scheduled Work Time, employees shall maintain a professional appearance suitable for their 
occupation, work duties, and safety standards. 
2. Employees must observe general standards for professional appearance, including, but not limited 
to: 
a. Clothing that is clean, free of defects, rips, and fraying, and of appropriate size and function.

Policy Title: 
PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE 
Policy Number: 
A1507 
Current Adoption Date: 
07-05-2023 
 
Page 2 of 3 
b. Groomed hair and facial hair. 
c. Proper personal hygiene that does not distract the public or coworkers in their work environment. 
d. Minimally visible body art, modifications, and piercings. Employees must cover any body art 
containing offensive, derogatory, or profane language or depictions. 
3. Official identification badge or uniform, including County issued work shirts, must be worn and 
visible at all times in the performance of County business and while in County Facilities. 
4. When wearing uniforms or items with the County or Department seal or name outside of Work Time, 
employees shall not engage in actions that could bring disrepute or embarrassment to the County 
in accordance with the County Policy HR2416 Code of Conduct. 
5. Employees must use discretion when considering Clothing and professional appearance that falls 
outside the General Guidelines and seek guidance from their immediate supervisor. 
6. Employees out of compliance with the General Guidelines may be required to go home, make needed 
corrections, and return to work. 
7. Employees whose poor hygiene or use of too much perfume/cologne or other chemically scented 
products that is an issue for others should be talked to in private, identifying the specific areas to be 
corrected. Employees are encouraged to try to resolve such conflicts with each other before 
discussing the issue with a supervisor. 
8. Appointing Authorities are responsible for enforcing this Policy and all standards and exceptions 
within their organizations. 
B. Department Standards 
1. Appointing Authorities may establish more specific standards for appearance based on the job 
functions within their organization. Standards must be communicated in writing. 
2. Appointing Authorities shall establish a regular, formal review process of department policy or 
guidelines with employees to ensure their awareness of County and department standards. 
3. Appointing Authorities may establish additional standards, such as: 
a. A more casual style on Fridays. Casual Days still require that employees dress in a manner that 
is professional and appropriate for their jobs, including when meeting with other departments or 
outside agencies where a more casual style may not be appropriate. 
b. Cooler, less restrictive Clothing from June 1 through October 15, which is professional and 
appropriate for employee work duties, but also styled for more extreme outdoor temperatures. 
c. Altered attire when attending County-sponsored special events, based on the nature of that 
event. 
d. Other days as special occasions, such as sporting events, public awareness campaigns, and 
team-building activities, where a theme is encouraged but not required. Employees not 
participating in the relaxed attire should maintain their normal professional appearance. 
C. Reasonable Accommodation

Policy Title: 
PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE 
Policy Number: 
A1507 
Current Adoption Date: 
07-05-2023 
 
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Employees may request a reasonable accommodation for consideration from Department HR based on 
disability or religious beliefs. 
 
Revision History 
Version 
Revision Date 
Description of Revision 
1 
 05-1997 
Initial version. (County Manager Approval) 
2 
8-10-2017 
Updated to account for the variety of roles within the County, 
emphasized the Appointing Authority’s option for establishing 
departments’ standards. (County Manager Approval) 
3 
07-05-2023 
Simplified language and title. (County Manager Approval)