Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 45, November 8, 2024
Section 86-3-4 - Personnel4.1. In accordance with Article XVI of the Division of Personnel regulations, all employees of the Division of Veterans Affairs are prohibited from engaging in political activities.4.2. No employee of this division shall hold any elective office in any veterans organization, however, an appointment to serve in a non-remunerative office, or appointment as a member of a non-remunerative committee of any veterans organization of which he is a member is permissible provided that such participation does not interfere with his/her official performance of this division and that any absence in conjunction with said appointment must be duly authorized from work and will be charged to annual leave. The Veterans Council believes that constant contact with veterans organizations by the personnel of this division will be beneficial to and will aid in maintaining a high degree of efficiency between said veterans organizations and this division. Before accepting an appointment to any non-remunerative office or committee, the individual employee must submit a written request, through channels, to the Director.4.3. Dress Code The public judges the Division of Veterans Affairs by its employees as well as its services. You as the first line of contact who the public sees should endeavor to be neatly groomed topresent a professional appearance. Veterans Affairs Officers will be required to dress in appropriate attire, coat (it attending a meeting), tie and dress trousers (no jeans). Mustache/beard, if worn, must be neatly trimmed. Clerks will be required to wear appropriate attire (no jeans). When out in public, coats/jackets will be worn as well as ties. (Exemption on coats during summer weather). This code, is not to harass, but to ensure you are a professional who takes pride in his work and himself.
4.4. Office Etiquette(a) Veterans Affairs Officers: 1. Courtesy: The only reason for your position existing within the division is to help that veteran, his widow/widower, or his orphan, with their respective problem regarding veterans benefits. You should, therefore, be extremely courteous to the people at all times. You may have a quantity of veterans problems, but to the person requesting your assistance, you have only one important problem, which is his/her problem.2. Interviews: Take time to ascertain what your claimant desires. Explain to that person what he may expect from your office. Make very sure, he understands we are the State Division of Veterans Affairs and that you are not in the employ of the federal agency, US Department of Veterans Affairs. Make doubly sure that the claimant understands that you personally, or the division in general, do not grant monetary benefits or make the decisions granting VA compensation or pension. Take time to explain your role as an accredited representative. Always remember, you have a Veterans Affairs Chief who will assist you with any problem you need assistance with, and if he personally does not have an answer for you, he will obtain the information you need. Never guess at an answer, if you are not sure, be truthful, then take time to look up the answer. If you impart wrong information, it could possibly cost the claimant hundreds of dollars in benefits, as well as it may reflect on you, and become a subject of embarrassment later.3. Office and Itinerant Hours: Maintain your office hours as posted. Keep your itinerant hours as scheduled. In case of an emergency that requires cancellation make sure that both the itinerant point and the administrative office are advised. Be on time at your scheduled itinerant, if you have car trouble which will make you arrive late, be sure and telephone your itinerant contact and let them know.4. Public Relations: Become known in your area. Become acquainted, not only with the various veterans service organizations in the communities you serve, but to other civic, fraternal and state and county service organizations, such as Employment Security, Welfare, and the local medical profession. These contacts will make your job much easier.(b) Clerks: Answer your telephone by saying State Division of Veterans Affairs, "Good Morning" or "Good Afternoon", whatever the case might be and add "May I help you?". Always be very courteous both in your telephone conversations and in your personal office contacts. Usually, you will make the first impression, and your personality will generally reflect the personality of your office.When your "Boss" is out of the office on business, know where he is and when he may be expected to return.
4.5. Attendance and Leave (a) Attendance and leave of all employees of this division shall be applied in accordance with Appendix A of these regulations.(b) All employees will have their annual leave request approved by their immediate supervisor in advance of the desired absence.