Dress Code

Table of Contents

As employees of the Iowa Department for the Blind, the citizens of Iowa hold us to a high standard, and our personal appearance creates a favorable or unfavorable impression on our co-workers, clients, patrons, and the public. It is therefore important for all employees to present a positive, professional image. Employees of the department shall maintain a clean, neat and well-groomed appearance and dress in a professional, businesslike manner. Employees of the department are expected to dress in business casual attire following the guidelines below unless work assignments involve job locations or duties that cannot be performed in business casual attire. Field staff may be allowed to deviate from this policy as circumstances dictate and as authorized by their supervisor. Appropriate attire is required when you are attending a training or meeting with outside groups.

Business Casual Attire

Appropriate business casual attire may include:

  • Dresses, dress suits, dress or casual slacks (including capris), skirts, khakis.
  • Blazers, sport coats, sweaters, vests, cardigans.
  • Blouses or shirts (crew or v-neck), golf or polo shirts, turtlenecks.
  • Dress shoes, pumps, loafers, flat shoes, dress sandals, and boots.

Inappropriate business casual attire may include, but is not limited to:

  • Halter, tank, and tube tops.
  • Shorts of any kind. Exceptions include shorts worn by instructors teaching cane travel during warm weather.
  • T-shirts, sweatshirts, denim jeans (any color).
  • Athletic shoes, beach sandals, or pool/deck shoes.
  • Bib overalls, sweatpants, athletic work out suits, spandex pants, leggings (unless worn under a dress or skirt), yoga pants.
  • Clothing with offensive language or images.

Casual Dress Attire

Casual dress attire needs to be appropriate for the professional work environment and must also be neat, clean, in good repair and appropriate for the situation. For office-based staff, casual dress attire days include Fridays, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Field-based staff shall be dressed appropriately for their work. Appropriate casual dress attire includes any items appropriate as business casual, and may also include:

  • Denim jeans that do not have holes, stains, tears, ragged hems or excessive fading.
  • Athletic shoes.

Inappropriate casual attire includes, but is not limited to:

  • Halter, tank, or tube tops.
  • Shorts of any kind. Exceptions include instructors teaching cane travel during warm weather.
  • beach sandals or pool/deck shoes.
  • Bib overalls, sweatpants, athletic workout suits, spandex pants, leggings (unless worn under a dress or skirt), yoga pants.
  • Clothing with offensive language or images.

The success of this policy rests with the good judgment of every IDB employee. If an employee’s clothing is not appropriate and does not project a professional image, it is expected the employee’s supervisor will respectfully discuss the concern with the employee. Repeated occurrences of wearing inappropriate attire may result in disciplinary action.

If you would like to request an exemption or variation from the dress code for medical or religious reasons, please contact your supervisor.