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OFFICE OF HUMAN CAPITAL
TSA MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVE No. 1100.73- UNIFORMED EMPLOYEES APPEARANCE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
NOTE: Pursuant to Section 101 of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (49 U.S.C. 114(n)), this directive establishes Transportation Security Administration (TSA) policy and supersedes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel management system regarding uniformed employees, with respect to TSA employees.
REVISIONS: This revised Management Directive amends TSA MD 1100.73-2, dated October 27,
SUMMARY OF CHANGES: The following change has been incorporated: Section 7.A.(7) has been amended to clarify the heel height of shoes from no more than one inch (1”) to no more than two inches (2”). All other provisions of this MD remain the same. This change is effective as of October 27, 2005, the original issuance date of the directive.
1. PURPOSE: This directive sets forth TSA policy for proper wearing of the TSA uniform, and for personal appearance and conduct while in uniform. It establishes procedures for acquiring, wearing, maintaining, retrieving, and disposing of the official TSA uniform. The directive also authorizes the payment of uniform allowances. This directive cancels and supersedes the following: - HRM Letter No. 735-2, Interim Uniformed Employees Appearance and Responsibilities Policy, dated September 3, 2002 - AVO 400.25.3-1, Use of Personal Funds to Purchase Additional Screener Uniform Items, dated February 19, 2003 - AVO 400.25.3-2, Retrieval and Disposal of TSA Screener Uniforms, dated April 16, 2003 - AVO 400.25.3-3, Screener Uniform Allowance and Expanded Uniform Menu, dated May 30, 2003 - AVO 400.25.3-4, Failure of Former Employees to Return TSA-Issued Items, dated July 15, 2003 - AVO 400.25.3-5, Reimbursement for Alterations to Uniforms or Purchase of Temporary Uniforms, dated January 16, 2003 - AVO 400.33.2-2, Uniformed Appearance – Wearing of Skirts by Screeners, dated November 11, 2002 - OD-400-33-1A, Supplemental Requirements to TSA Policy on Uniformed Employees’ Appearance and Responsibilities, dated August 8, 2005 (superseded/cancelled AVO 400.33.2- dated April 17, 2003) 2. SCOPE: This directive provides direction to all TSA employees in the job categories of Transportation Security Screener (TSS), Lead Transportation Security Screener (LTSS) and Supervisory Transportation Security Screener (STSS) who are required to be in uniform while on duty.
UNIFORMED EMPLOYEES APPEARANCE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
3. AUTHORITIES:
A. The Aviation and Transportation Security Act, Public Law 107-71, dated November 19, 2001.
B. Applicable TSA and U. S. Department of Homeland Security delegations of authority.
- DEFINITIONS:
A. Exemption: A consideration to permit an employee to wear, or not wear, a specific item as part of their approved TSA uniform, based on a religious belief and/or a medical reason.
B. Personal Appearance Standard: The TSA standard for uniformed employees that requires a neat, clean appearance, to reflect the required level of professionalism while in the performance of duties and/or while wearing a uniform.
C. Personal Electronic Equipment: Non-TSA issued electronic equipment that is not required to perform official TSA duties, including but not limited to, cell phones, pagers, iPods, blackberrys, and compact disc players.
D. Personal Funds: A screener’s own money that may be used to purchase additional uniform items.
E. Retrieval and Disposal of Uniforms: Returning and discarding of uniforms that are no longer suitable for continued use because of damage or normal wear and tear. Employees must return uniforms when they leave TSA employment. TSA insignia from personally purchased uniform items must also be returned to TSA for disposal.
F. Screener Workforce: TSA employees in the job categories of Supervisory Transportation Security Screener, Lead Transportation Security Screener, and Transportation Security Screener.
G. TSA Insignia: The TSA badge, emblem, patch, or other unique marking on a uniform that identifies an employee as part of the TSA screener workforce.
H. Uniform Allowance: An annual monetary amount provided to each uniformed employee to purchase authorized TSA uniform items.
I. Uniformed Employees: Members of the TSA screener workforce required to own and wear uniforms.
UNIFORMED EMPLOYEES APPEARANCE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
B. Uniformed employees may wear their uniform while commuting to and from work without an over-garment. Only brief stops that are a part of the normal work commute are permitted while in uniform.
(1) Examples of permitted stops while in uniform are dropping off or picking up children from day care or school, or stopping to buy a cup of coffee.
(2) Examples of activities not permitted while in uniform are grocery or other shopping, going out to dinner, and meeting friends for a drink after work.
(3) It is important that employees understand the public will view an employee in uniform as representing TSA, even if the employee is off duty. Wearing of the uniform off-duty may also present security concerns.
(4) The activities stated above are merely examples and do not represent a comprehensive list of permitted/not permitted activities. If there is any question as to a specific activity, uniformed employees should discuss it with their supervisors.
C. Only TSA Headquarters authorized logos and accessories may be worn on or with the uniform.
7. PROCEDURES:
A. Standard Uniforms: Uniformed employees are initially provided with a standard TSA uniform package. Current standard issue consists of 3 trousers, 3 short sleeve shirts, 3 long sleeve shirts, 2 neckties, 1 sweater vest, 1 team jacket, 2 pairs of shoulder boards, 1 belt, 3 pairs of socks, and 1 nametag.
(1) Shirts: Uniformed employees shall wear only TSA issued long or short sleeved shirts. Shirts will be worn with collar buttons closed and ties properly affixed. Shirt collars should fit comfortably around the neck. Long sleeved shirts will cover the wrists. Shirts may not be altered for any reason.
Note: Undergarments shall be neutral and concealed from view. No lettering or design shall be visible through the uniform shirt.
(2) Tie: Only TSA issued ties may be worn.
(a) Uniformed employees will wear the issued male or female style ties. Female screeners can wear either style tie. If a female screener chooses to wear the male style tie and she has already been issued the female style tie, the female screener must use personal funds or her uniform allowance to purchase the male style tie.
(b) FSDs, or designee, are authorized to exempt screeners from wearing ties while performing screening duties based on the time of year, geographic considerations, and heat and humidity conditions.
UNIFORMED EMPLOYEES APPEARANCE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(3) Trousers: Uniformed employees will wear only TSA issued trousers. Trousers will have a front crease that meets the top of the shoe with a slight break and the back crease stops one inch (1”) above the heel. Trousers will not be tailored for cuffs or narrowness of pant legs.
(4) Skirts: Skirts may be considered for screeners whose religious beliefs do not permit them to wear trousers. If an exemption is approved, it would permit such employees to wear an appropriate, approved skirt that does not interfere with their ability to perform their duties. See Section 7D to request an exemption.
Note : If the TSA issued skirt has not been delivered, the screener is authorized to wear a personally purchased skirt that conforms to TSA uniform appearance. This would be an A- line or similar style navy blue skirt that is similar in appearance to the uniform trousers. The skirt shall fall below the knee when seated and the fit/length must not interfere with the physical performance of the employee’s duties.
(5) Belt: Uniformed employees will wear only the TSA issued black belt.
(6) Socks: Uniformed employees are issued three pairs of socks. Additional employee provided socks must be black and/or navy blue matched pairs of socks.
(7) Shoes : Shoes must cover the entire foot and be all black in color with no adornments. Heel height should be no more than two inches (2”). Black sneakers or tennis shoes are not permitted.
(a) Shoes are not part of the standard TSA uniform package. Shoes are a personal item of apparel that must be purchased at the employees’ own expense.
(b) TSA will not reimburse for the cost of shoes, but allowance money may be used to purchase black shoes from the uniform contractor.
(8) Nametags: Uniformed employees shall wear a TSA issued nametag. The nametag should be worn on the right side of the chest. On the white shirt, it should be worn centered and approximately 1/8” above the right pocket. On the sweater vest and optional sweater, there is a nametag holder on the right front breast with round eyelets for the clutch pins. If an FSD, or designee, authorizes baggage screeners to wear polo shirts or coveralls, they will designate whether or not a nametag must be worn. If a name tag is required, it will be worn on the right side of the chest.
(9) Shoulder Boards: Uniformed employees shall wear the appropriate TSA issued shoulder boards. Shoulder boards identify rank as follows: TSS shoulder boards have one stripe, LTSS have two stripes, and STSS have three stripes.
UNIFORMED EMPLOYEES APPEARANCE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(g) Body piercing, including tongue piercing, may not be visible to the public (except for the above guidance on earrings).
(3) Facial Hair: Male screeners must be neatly shaven or maintain neatly trimmed and well kept facial hair not more than ½ inches in length.
(4) Hair:
(a) Hairstyles and hair colors must be judged by a reasonable person standard and present a neat, clean, professional appearance. Hair shall be kept clean and the style shall not present a ragged, unkempt or extreme appearance.
(b) Hair length for male and female screeners shall not extend more than 2-1/2 inches below the back of the collar while on duty.
(c) Hair and/or hairpieces whether dyed or natural must appear natural in color.
(d) Hair accessories used to pin up hair shall be concealed as much as possible and should not distract from the uniform.
(5) Tattoos: Tattoos must be covered at all times and not visible to the general public. Screeners whose tattoos are visible when wearing a short sleeve shirt must wear a long sleeve shirt on duty. Screeners with visible arm tattoos shall only order long sleeve shirts when placing their initial uniform orders. If a screener with visible arm tattoos orders/receives short sleeve shirts, the shirts should be returned to the uniform contractor before being worn for replacement with long sleeve shirts.
(6) Fingernails: Fingernails shall not extend further than ¼ inch beyond the tip of the finger.
(7) Chewing Gum and Tobacco: Uniformed employees are prohibited from chewing gum or tobacco while on duty.
D. Exemption to Uniform Requirement
(1) An exemption to the uniform requirements may be considered for appropriate, documented reasons, such as, religious beliefs or medical reasons.
(2) Employees seeking an exemption shall make a written request to their FSD, stating the basis for the exemption.
(3) The FSD will review and approve or disapprove the request, in writing, after consulting with their local Field Counsel and, when appropriate, with the Office of Human Capital.
(4) If an exemption is approved, the employee may then purchase and wear any authorized item that deviates from the standard uniform package with their uniform allowance (if available from the contractor) or personal funds.
UNIFORMED EMPLOYEES APPEARANCE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(5) An approved exemption will be documented in the employee’s local airport file, and will continue to be applicable if the employee transfers within the airport or to another airport.
E. Uniform Allowance
(1) Uniformed employees receive an annual monetary uniform allowance. The allowance is posted on their individual accounts on the TSA uniform contractor’s website (currently VF Solutions at www.vfsolutions.com/tsa). Annual funds may be used to purchase any needed uniform item from the complete list of authorized uniform items, including standard and/or optional items. If an employee has a significant weight loss/gain that causes the uniform to no longer fit properly, they can use their uniform allowance to purchase the necessary uniform replacement items.
(2) Personal funds: Uniformed employees may use personal funds to purchase additional uniform items from the contractor. The contractor accepts orders directly from screeners.
(a) Screeners must report uniform purchases made with personal funds to their FSD, the uniform coordinator, or other designee, so that items may be recorded for future disposition.
(b) Uniformed employees will not be reimbursed for items they elect to purchase with their own funds. Additionally, in the event TSA uniforms have not been delivered prior to the start of screeners’ reporting for duty, TSA will not reimburse screeners who wear their personal attire to perform their duties.
(3) Alterations: Uniformed employees shall not make alterations to their uniforms. The uniform contract includes provisions for obtaining proper fit. Uniforms that do not fit should be returned to the contractor for replacement prior to being worn.
F. Retrieval and Disposal of Uniforms
(1) Retrieval of Uniform Items Containing TSA Insignia:
(a) Screeners are required to return for disposal all uniform items purchased and issued by TSA that contain TSA patches, badges, and other insignia when they leave TSA employment, are reassigned to a non-screener position, or when the uniform items are no longer suitable for continued use.
(b) Screeners are required to remove and return for disposal all TSA insignia on self- purchased uniform items when they leave TSA employment, or when the uniform items are no longer suitable for continued use.
UNIFORMED EMPLOYEES APPEARANCE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(4) Uniformed employees shall use public restrooms as designated by their supervisor and/or manager.
(5) Relationships in the Workplace
(a) Uniformed employees should at all times maintain professional and business-like relations with all employees and all individuals who travel through the checkpoint. Employees will respect the civil rights and privacy rights of all employees and the traveling public.
(b) TSA is committed to avoiding the adverse effects on the morale, operations and mission of the agency that may result from intimate personal relationships in the workplace. Intimate relationships between individuals who have a direct or indirect supervisory relationship are highly inappropriate and may violate the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees.
(i) If such a situation develops, the involved employee in the supervisory role must communicate this fact to his/her manager so that a transfer or reassignment may be considered for either party.
(ii) While TSA has no desire to interfere with the private lives of its workforce, when conduct has an impact on workplace effectiveness or security, the best interests of TSA come first.
(6) Use of personal electronic equipment is prohibited in identified TSA screening areas. Personal electronic equipment may be used during an employee’s rest or meal break, in a designated area that is not-co-located with the TSA screening area.
(7) Employees who separate either voluntarily or involuntarily are required to return TSA- issued property items, such as, uniforms containing TSA insignia, any TSA insignia from personally purchased uniform items, and TSA-issued training materials and operations manuals. (Any TSA recognition pins received do not have to be returned). Failure to do so can result in civil and/or criminal penalties.
UNIFORMED EMPLOYEES APPEARANCE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
8. EFFECTIVE DATE AND IMPLEMENTATION: This policy is effective immediately upon signature:
APPROVAL
________________________________________ 10-27-
Richard A. Whitford Date Assistant Administrator for Human Capital
Filing Instructions: File with OHC Management Directives Effective Date: Date directive is signed Review Date: Two year anniversary of signed directive Distribution: Assistant Secretary, Deputy Administrator, Associate Administrator, Assistant Administrators, Area Directors, Federal Security Directors, and TSA Uniformed Employees Point-Of-Contact: Office of Human Capital
UNIFORMED EMPLOYEES APPEARANCE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
[Date] [Addressee]
RE: TSA-Issued, U. S. Government Property
Dear [Mr. /Mrs.] [Name]:
On [ enter date ], TSA required you to return TSA-issued, U. S. Government property uniform items to your supervisor, including your identification badge, as well as TSA training materials and operations manuals. To date, you have failed to return [ state specifically the items that need to be returned ]. You must return this property to [ put name and telephone number of TSA person at your airport that the former employee should contact ] immediately.
Your failure to return this TSA-issued, U. S. Government property item(s) within ten (10) days from the date of this letter may result in civil and/or criminal enforcement actions against you. These enforcement actions could subject you to civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each day beyond the ten- day grace period noted above that you fail to return the property, and/or criminal penalties.
If you have any questions, please contact the TSA representative named above.
Sincerely,
[FSD name and signature] Federal Security Director
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