I have a few things to mention on this topic (as usuall!
...)
First off, appearance is very crucial! Our Primary Clients (Large Banking Firms) would go Ballistic if crews walk into a Branch looking like they just rolled out of the gutter! (in reality, the Police would be arriving to the Branch in no more than 120 Seconds!...AKA Alarm!).
Looking clean upon entry, and bringing in tools + materials in an orderly and "Non-Three Stooges" manner, is really a key issue on these projects.
After work is completed, it's OK to "Look Like You Were Working", and no Branch Staff will be offended by this.
Secondly, in these situations (working on an active Branch in operation), the thought of not cleaning up - or making a big 'ol mess + excessive noise, is unheard of. If done, that crew is in for much H*%L, and ALL Contractors have to be part of the "Wrath Of The P.M.'s Calls", and the "Wrath Of The Faxes"!!!
Those Wraths will drive 'ya crazy!
Next is the way personnel present themselves in front of Clients.
Swearing, Off-Color jokes, and Discrimination in front of Clients is absolutely not tolerated!
(Exception: Swearing when no one is around to hear it is tolerable. All else is not!).
Now, here's the clincher!
For at least 10 years of my career, I had Long Hair. It was part of my persona, being a "Hard Rock/Metal listener and Drummer".
My appearance was (at the start of the day) clean clothes, shave, and clean Hair - with possibly a Pony Tail.
This appearance was not a problem with most Branch Personnel or the Client's Construction & Development Staff, but once in awhile a small percentage of Branch Staff treated me as dirt, plus made insulting phone calls about me.
They were upset to hear from their superiors that I was fully accepted by the Client as compentant, and really hit them hard to find out my qualifications + involvements with the development of their entire Corporation!
When 1993 rolled around, the Long Hair look died out for myself and all my friends, so with tears in our eyes, we took the plunge and got our Hair cut! We all now either wear our Hair semi short (as seen in the picture of me in the Locomotive), or no Hair at all! (shaved Head).
Got to witness first hand the Discrimination that made me so angry and happened to me in the past.
A very competant and well mannered individual was working for a Data Cabling Subcontractor at one Branch Remodel back in the late 1990's.
I had spoken with him about this and that, being a "Former Long Hair" myself
Discussed Music, and for the most part, Technical stuff (I could discuss this all day!).
On a Job Walk with the C&D Staff + Architects, there were a few "Newbees" in C&D + the Architect's reps that were saying uncool things about "The Dirt Bag With Long Hair". I held my Tongue the whole time, and instead waited until the end of the walk to mention the Irony and that person's abilities (which I had noticed more and more as the job progressed).
I wasn't the only one to do this, as a few of the "Legacy" Staff persons had their own fires brewing!
Just felt wierd to be in the middle of that one!
I felt the "Long Hair" thing should be mentioned here, as I have issues with it.
When Bank work was slow and I needed to work for other ECs, I am sure there were many Companies that turned me down when they saw my Hair!
Resumes accepted, Tests taken and passed with flying colors! Phone interviews all very positive, but once in the presence of the Interviewer - everything changed.
I am not trying to say "If you don't hire every Long Hair / Shaven Head / etc. Candidate, then your WRONG!". Not at all!!!
Hire persons on their abilities and knowledge - regardless of what they look like!!!
(cleanlyness is completely different!).
To me, the importance of Quality Personnel is very important. Would never want to turn down a good asset simply by personal Biasness.
OK, off the Soapbox!
Scott35