I. AUTHORITY

This policy is issued under authority granted to the Chief Probation Officer. 

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to establish standards for what items and materials employees of the Probation Department may display in their offices.

III. APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to all employees of the Probation Department.

IV. BACKGROUND

The Probation Department and the County have an obligation to employees and members of the public who may visit a Department facility, to maintain a professional working and safe environment in the facility.  The décor must be free of sexual, violent, political, offensive, and discriminatory material.  It is expected that Department employees maintain a workplace that supports productivity and is non-disruptive to the completion of County business.

V. GENERAL POLICY

1.  Prohibited material/items: The following material/items are prohibited from workspaces within any facility under the jurisdiction of the Probation Department:
   1.  Signs or stickers promoting a political party, political action committee, pending legislation or organization whose primary goal is to enact legislation and elect candidates.
   2. Material/items which relate to or represent criminal organizations including street gangs, outlaw motorcycle gangs, and/or other organizations involved in criminal activities.
   3.  Material/items, including photographs, which are sexual in nature.
   4.  Material/items which include any form of profanity.
   5.  Photographs of individuals engaging in illegal activity, promoting illegal activity.
   6.  Material/items which promote the consumption of alcohol or use of illegal drugs.
   7. Any item or material which contains or depicts graphic violence and would offend a person of reasonable and ordinary sensibility.
   8. Burning candles.
2.  Office door windows shall remain uncovered at all times unless for temporary reasons such as changing clothes, lactation needs, supervisors meeting with staff regarding job performance issues.
3. Plants
   1.  Plants are allowable as long as they are maintained regularly, are of reasonable size, and do not agitate the allergies of other employees.
4.  General Cleanliness
   1.  Employees are responsible for the cleanliness of their respective workstations, either by requesting assistance from custodial staff or directly maintaining the cleanliness of their workspace themselves.

VI. EXCLUSIVITY

This policy will remain in effect until superseded or suspended in writing by the Chief Probation Officer and can be reviewed as needed.