Tribal employees can no longer dress like they’re doing laundry.

At the February 13, 2023 Tribal Executive Board meeting, a dress code policy was put into the Tribal Policies and Procedures. 

Under the new policy, employees are required to dress consistent with occupational health and safety standards, commensurate with their position description and job duties. Clothing must be neat, clean, and in good condition. 

Basically, employees are required to dress the way they would if they were doing business with someone.

Though it’s not officially named in the policy, everyone could be asked to dress “smart casual,” a style of dressing that combines well-fitting, polished business wear with elements of casual attire. (like a woman wearing a colorful blouse with a basic skirt and blazer or a man wearing button-down shirt, a pair of chinos, dress pants or slack).

Smart Casual is a style halfway between formal and casual. Therefore, it is neither an elegant look with a jacket and necktie, nor an overly sporty outfit with sneakers, t-shirt and jeans. Smart Casual stands for ‘simple, but elegant.’                        

Councilwoman Chapman said this is something that came forward without an attached resolution. 

Councilman Bryce Kirk said this was brought up to him this morning, and there is an issue with this, because if someone doesn’t like this then they will need an incentive of some kind to change style.

Councilman Gray Hawk said if the TEB pushes this, they should consider possibly purchasing clothing for tribal employees. People employed in the jails are given uniforms, as are police officers. Would this apply to them, he asked. 

If this passes, then maybe the Tribes could provide a stipend for employees to buy their work clothes, he said. Someone suggested maybe $1,000.

Councilman Lawrence Hamilton asked if this was going to be like the school uniforms children would wear. 

Councilwoman Carolyn Brugh said this is a ridiculous subject to argue about. The Tribal Executive Board represents over 13,000 people and there are far more important things to do than debate this issue.