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Peaceful Valley is a smoke free workplace. Use of tobacco is highly discouraged, and is not permitted while on duty or at any workstation, in any vehicles, around guests, in guest facilities or in any staff housing. (Spitting is also not allowed around guests or in any public areas).

Use of alcoholic beverages is also discouraged and is not permitted while on duty, at any workstation. Peaceful Valley Ranch staff understand that Peaceful Valley Ranch alcohol may not be purchased. Legal drinking age in Colorado for any alcoholic beverages is 21 years.

Peaceful Valley intends to be a drug free work place. Consequently, any use of drugs will not be tolerated and is a cause for immediate dismissal. Please be advised we participate in random drug testing as well as periodic searches by local law enforcement.

All employees shall be expected to maintain a clean and neat appearance while working and living on the ranch (also on days off). Neat and well-groomed hair standards shall be expected as well and of adequate length. No body piercing is allowed.

You will be issued denim Peaceful Valley shirts upon your arrival. Staff meetings and notes to staff will tell you when these are to be worn. Days that require "work shirts" are not optional. These policies may vary by department.

Employees are expected to reflect the western look in their clothing, particularly wranglers and drivers. Peaceful Valley Ranch as well as all members of the Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association, UPHOLDS AND REQUIRES THIS STANDARD OF WESTERN DRESS. This includes western shirts (no T-shirts on rides or trips), jeans, boots in good repair, and WESTERN HATS. If you wear any T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets or the like, they should either display "Peaceful Valley" or its logo, OR they should be without advertising of any kind! Please take this seriously. You will be asked to change if your dress is inappropriate. After all, our guests come out West to see the West! (See dress code in Forms section.)

Peaceful Valley’s staff housing is separated into male and female units. Staff members may not spend the night or be in rooms of the opposite sex after 12:00 am (midnight). We are a family ranch and have certain expectations of our staffs’ behavior. Staff members may not have overnight visitors of the opposite sex.

Public displays of affection are not allowed around guests. We expect our employees to behave in a professional manner at all times. If either of these areas become a problem for an employee, the employee(s) will be written up.

Employees may not charge the fees for their guests’ meals, stay and the like. Employees are encouraged to pay for their guests’ meals immediately after the meal has been served. Please see the office manager or general manager. No guests without prior notification.

Discounts of 30% on regular ranch fees for guest facilities and services may be granted by prior arrangement from management. All guests are advised to eat meals in guest dining facilities, and stay in guestrooms. Staff members whose family or guests are eating in the guest dining rooms are welcome to join them if space is available. There may also be occasions when guests may stay in staff quarters and eat in staff dining. All such situations are subject to management approval. If friends and relatives eat in the staff dining room there is a nominal fee of $15.00 per day. ($3.00 breakfast, $5.00 for lunch, and $7.00 for dinner)

Whenever possible, visits of friends and relatives should coincide with scheduled time or days off. The management should be informed of all planned arrivals. Sneaking in guests is grounds for dismissal.

All employees will be expected to attend all general staff meetings (even if the meeting falls on your day off). Employees of any given department will be expected to attend their respective departmental meetings. Department heads will meet with management on a regular basis.

We are happy to extend the PRIVILEGE of a 30% discount on gift shop purchases, excluding items of the "drug store" nature to be sold at 20% off (i.e., film, articles for personal hygiene, post cards, etc.) These items can be deducted from your paycheck or paid for in full at the time. Any outstanding charges at the time of payroll will be deducted from your check.

Personal vehicles are permitted, although parking space is sometimes a problem. If you have a personal vehicle, please ask the office or the head of maintenance where your vehicle should be parked. All personal vehicles must carry full liability insurance coverage. Proof of insurance must be submitted to the office. This will become part of the employee’s personal file. A roster of all privately owned vehicles and their owners will be kept in the office, and must be kept up-to-date.

All employees are expected to understand the location of fire equipment, exit doors, and to assist fully in emergency situations. A first-aid course is highly recommended for all and is required for wranglers, drivers, and counselors. Please send current copy of your certification with your contractual agreement. If you are in another department and have a first aid certificate and/or a water safety certificate we would like to have a copy of the certificate for your personal file.

Department managers are required to post their employees schedules by Sunday night for the following week. Any arrangements for scheduling must be done with your department manager.

Personal phone calls cannot be made on ranch telephones, but should be made on the staff pay phone (303) 747-9908 available in the staff dining room/lounge (NOT DURING WORK HOURS). Except in case of emergency, employees cannot be called to the phone during duty hours. Messages will be received and passed on to employees at meal times, or at an otherwise appropriate time. Please check by the phone on the front desk for messages as well. Pay phones in the Main Lobby are off limits to staff - guest use only.

Staff mail is generally distributed into the mail slots at lunchtime. It is expected that employees will pick up and READ THEIR MAIL WHEN THEY ARE NOT WORKING. All staff mail should be addressed in the following manner:

Your Name

Peaceful Valley Ranch

475 Peaceful Valley Ranch

Lyons, CO. 80540

Please do not complete a forwarding mail order if you are not staying as a full time year round employee. Once you leave, the U.S. Postal service will not forward your mail. Our front office must do this.

$250.00 will be collected in the first pay period or split equally between the first 2 pay periods as a damage deposit. Inspections will occur upon arrival and departure

Employees are expected to keep their quarters in a neat and orderly manner. Everyone in the room gets equal space for clothing, pictures, etc. Everyone is responsible for his/her gear. Your quarters must be kept neat for safety, as well as sanitation, and for respect for those with whom you live.

You will be responsible for cleaning and vacuuming your room and bathroom. You are also responsible for snow removal of your walkway and/ or stairs.

Pictures and similar items may be hung on the wall ONLY with approved pictures hooks only no nails, etc. PLEASE.

Nothing is to be hung from the curtain rods except curtains.

NO PETS of any kind may be kept in staff quarters without approval from Ranch Management!

It is very important that everyone is able to get the sleep they need. If you plan to get into your room after the others have the lights out and/or are asleep, plan ahead and put out the things that you will need. We do not wish to set a "curfew", however, in the interest of good health AND courtesy to roommates, employees should be in their own quarters by midnight. Please let us know when you will be absent from the Ranch overnight in the event we need to get in touch with you for an emergency or other reason.

Stereos and radios must be kept at a low volume at all times. Use common courtesy and check to make sure someone is not napping or asleep before you turn them on. Get into the habit of asking first. Please turn them off by 10 p.m., unless you use earphones.

Room Inspections

Your room will be inspected before you move in for damage. It will also be inspected when you leave.

YOUR QUARTERS MAY BE INSPECTED PERIODICALLY, not only by the management, but also by various outside agencies such as the health department, for sanitation; for safety by our insurance company; the Colorado Dude Ranch Association; AAA, and others. Please keep your rooms ready at all times for an inspection.

Meals are served in the staff dining room at 7:30 am for breakfast, 12:30 for lunch, and 6:30 for dinner. Food in the staff dining room is for any staff to enjoy. Staff may not go into the kitchen to prepare food or take food home under any circumstances.

Whenever a problem develops, it is expected that the employee will discuss it with his or her supervisor, and then, if not alleviated, with the management. Gossip is not allowed, and can be grounds for dismissal.

Our chain of command is as follows: Employee, Department Manager, General Manager, and Owner. Please respect this with all actions.