Employee Handbook

Section 3 — EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION BADGES

The purpose of the Employee Identification Badge Policy is to identify individuals as employees of the City of West Des Moines and to:

·       Enhance the City’s public image and mission of providing high quality public service

·       Provide an additional means of establishing a safe and secure work environment

·       Provide a consistent method of identification and generate a greater sense of security and community

·       Facilitate communication between employees by being able to identify the names and departments of the individuals with whom they work

It is the policy of the City of West Des Moines that employees and the public be provided with the highest quality public service in the safest possible environment while conducting City business. To that end, all employees as described below will adhere to the following identification standards.

This policy applies to all Regular Full Time and Regular Part Time employees. City Employee Identification (ID) Badges will be provided to employees for the duration of their employment with the City of West Des Moines. Other employees may be issued ID Badges at the discretion of the Department Director.

The ID Badge shall be displayed by all employees at all times while working so that the entire face of the badge is clearly visible. The employee must either clip/attach the badge at waist level or above to a piece of outer-most clothing or wear the badge around their neck. The City shall provide lanyards, clip-on badge holders, arm band holders, etc., as may be needed to ensure that badges are displayed in a safe and acceptable manner. Employees working in or around machinery may select either a clip-on badge holder or arm band holder for displaying their ID Badge. 

Exceptions to those employees required to wear an ID Badge are Public Safety Personnel while in uniform. Department heads, after consultation with the City Manager, may waive the wearing requirement for certain positions when a safety concern exists and West Des Moines logoed clothing is utilized.

Employee Responsibilities:

·        Not to lend the ID Badge to anyone

·        Not to leave the ID Badge on the dash of a vehicle or other locations where it is exposed to extreme temperatures

·        Not to fold, bend, pry open or mutilate the ID Badge

·        To maintain the security of their ID Badge at all times

·        To immediately notify their supervisor if the ID Badge has been lost or stolen and obtain a replacement badge

Supervisor Responsibilities

·        Ensure that employees wear their ID Badges while on duty

·        Arrange for temporary ID Badges in the event that an employee forgets or misplaces their ID Badge

·        Ensure that employees replace lost or stolen ID Badges within 2 weeks

Fraudulent use of a City Employee ID Badge will subject an employee to disciplinary action. Fraudulent use includes using or permitting the use of the badge by a person other than the individual to whom it was issued for the benefit of a person not entitled to purpose for which it is used.

Employee identification badges are required as a condition of employment. Failure to wear/display the badge as required will subject an employee to disciplinary action.

Replacement of Badges

Stolen, malfunctioning or accidentally damaged badges will be replaced free of charge. Lost badges or badges deliberately damaged or damaged through negligence will be replaced once in every two-year period without a fee and after that, for a fee. Employees may not attach any foreign object to the ID Badge (e.g.: stickers) or perforate the badge. Doing so will result in the required issuance of a new ID Badge, at a direct cost to the employee. Fees for replacement of an ID Badges shall be based on the actual cost of replacement, plus a $5 replacement fee.

Return or Deactivation of Cards

Employee ID Cards are considered City property and must be returned directly to the employee’s Department Head upon resignation or termination of employment along with all other City property. The Department Head will then send the ID badge to ITS in order to have the badge deactivated and destroyed.