Casual Fridays in Cranbury?

Township Committee works on dress code revision to include casual dress Fridays.

By: Elaine Worden
   Township employees may soon be able to have "casual Fridays."
   The Township Committee announced Monday that it is considering revising its current dress code rules to include casual-dress Fridays. The committee will be working on a specific outline to discuss during its April 25 meeting.
   Committeeman Richard Stannard said the current dress code is designed to present a professional image to residents. The current dress code requires township employees to dress in a business casual manner.
   "Essentially, we have working for the township — professional people — and to the extent that they’re professionals, they understand the importance of appearing that way for the citizens of Cranbury," said Mr. Stannard.
   Committee members said they will see what works in other municipalities before making a decision.
   "We’re going to look at what the other towns in the area are doing and we’ll follow suit," said Committeeman Tom Panconi.
   Mr. Panconi, who along with committee members David Stout and Mr. Stannard is part of the Personnel Subcommittee, will recommend specific language to make sure a level of professionalism is maintained.
   "It’s not the wearing of the jeans — but what you look like overall that’s important," Mayor Becky Beauregard said Monday.
   However, Mr. Stannard doesn’t want the new code to go so far as to prohibit clothes that are obviously inappropriate, such as shorts and frayed jeans. He said he’d rather rely on the common sense of employees to prevent that.
   "Reliance upon the intellect and professionalism of our employees will provide the desired result," said Mr. Stannard.
   Mr. Panconi and Mr. Stannard are confident that the revision will happen in the near future.
   "It’s possible to look professional in casual dress, I think probably our employees understand that and will look professional," said Mr. Stannard.