SUBJECT: DRESS AND GROOMING PAGE 1 OF 5 STVHS HR - 0006 DATE EFFECTIVE: 1/18/10 PURPOSE: DATES REVISED: 12/10/09 To define the expectations regarding dress and grooming. AUTHOR: Bonnie Ramsey DATE: 12/10/09 REVIEWED: Ashley Haynes DATE: 12/10/09 APPROVED: Carol Maietta DATE: 12/11/09 KEYWORDS: Dress and Grooming CROSS REFERENCED POLICIES: Expected Behaviors, Associate Handbook, Solicitation, Positive Redirection, Facility and Department Specific Dress Code Policies, Vendor. ISSUING DEPARTMENT: Human Resources POLICY: This policy supports the philosophy, Mission, Vision, and Values of the St. Vincent s Health System. All associates are to dress in a professional or business manner and maintain personal hygiene in a manner consistent with the system's expectation and in a manner that is not offensive to the patients and customers served. DEFINITIONS: Business Casual: relaxed business attire. Skirt length: shall be in modest proportion to individual height and should not be revealing when the associate sits or bends. PROCEDURE: I. Dress and Uniforms
SUBJECT: DRESS AND GROOMING PAGE 2 OF 5 1. Shirts or any other clothing may not have any logo or designation of any group or company other than that of the manufacturer, Ascension Health or STVHS logo. 2. The following is a list of unacceptable items for business casual. The list is not all-inclusive. a) Tank tops without appropriate cover b) Bare shoulders/off the shoulder, unless covered by a jacket c) Cargo or painter's pants, Overalls, T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, athletic clothing; unless allowed by department specific guidelines d) Shorts unless authorized for an approved special event e) Denim jeans of any color are not acceptable except when designated for an approved special event f) Clothing made of see through material g) Leggings, body revealing items, items which reveal underwear B. Associates required to wear a uniform or scrubs must be in uniform or scrubs at all times while on duty. All uniforms and scrubs must be clean, neat and meet the standards required within each department. 1. If an associates scrubs or uniform becomes soiled during the assigned shift of duty, the supervisor may authorize issuance of hospital and/or paper scrubs for the duration of the shift. 2. These scrubs will be issued by the supervisor and returned within 24 hours of the end of the shift, unless disposable. C. Scrubs are allowed in specific patient care or ancillary patient care areas and must meet the dress code of that department and facility. D. Associates may wear their own scrub suit to and from work without having to change at work, unless otherwise defined by department guidelines and policies. E. Appropriate undergarments must be worn at all times. Undergarments shall not be darker than uniform, pants, or dress. Undergarments shall not be visible. F. All garments should be neat and of proper fit. II. Shoes and Hosiery A. Shoes worn by all associates should be clean and in good repair. 1. Shoes must meet health and safety standards as required within
SUBJECT: DRESS AND GROOMING PAGE 3 OF 5 individual departments. Shoes must be made of impervious materials if working in patient care areas. Crocs or similar shoes that have ventilation holes in the top should not be worn where the risk of blood or body fluid contamination exists as recommended by regulatory bodies. 2. Clogs or clog like shoes with scrub suits or medical uniforms are appropriate where the use of backless shoes is not a safety issue. 3. Athletic shoes are acceptable with uniforms or scrubs if tasteful, clean and in good repair. Any color must be in a coordinating hue with the uniform, no loud colors allowed. 4. Footwear other than street shoes is not acceptable daily wear, i.e. bedroom slippers, house shoes or flip-flops. 5. Dress sandals may be worn without hose, socks or stockings in nonpatient care areas. B. Appropriate hose, socks or stockings are to be worn by all associates in patient care areas at all times. C. Disposable shoe covers are to be worn in designated patient care areas only. III. Hair and Head Coverings A. Hair shall be kept clean, neat and well groomed. Any hair ribbons, barrettes, clips, headbands, etc., should be worn in a tasteful and professional manner. Extreme hairstyles are not permitted, including contrasting dyes. B. Head coverings that are not part of facility uniform will not be allowed unless for medical or religious reasons (exceptions for head coverings should be approved through HR). C. All sideburns, mustaches and beards should be kept neatly trimmed and cleaned and not interfere with protective or safety equipment. D. All associates involved in direct patient care or food preparation must abide by the Public Health Department standards for covering hair. E. Disposable scrub caps/masks are to be worn and/or disposed of according to departmental guidelines to comply with infection control/safety standards. IV. Badges and Pins A. All associates must wear a facility name badge while on duty facing forward with
SUBJECT: DRESS AND GROOMING PAGE 4 OF 5 name clearly visible. Badges must be worn at mid-chest level or higher and be visible to patients and other staff members at all times unless specified by department function. i. These badges are necessary for: identification to patients and visitors, clocking for work time, spot check identity challenges and entrance to the facility during Disaster Plan events, night shifts, etc. ii. Badges may be utilized to access parking locations. iii. Badge issuance and re-issuance is handled by the Human Resources Department. There is a fee for replacement of lost badges. iv. Vendors Must have appropriate badge and other identification as according to the Vendor policy. v. Temporary/Contract the temporary company will provide the badge. If not available, depending on location Security or Human Resources will provide. vi. Students the school will provide a name badge. If not available, depending on location Security or Human Resources will provide. B. No pins, decals, buttons, stickers or other items are to be attached to the name badge in any manner. C. Lariats or other neckwear to hold name badges or pins may not have any advertisement or company name displayed other than that of the St. Vincent s Health System and should be at chest level or higher. D. Wearing buttons, stickers or insignia not authorized by Human Resources will be considered solicitation and must comply with the regulations as stated in the Solicitation policy. E. No associate will be allowed to wear any type pin, garment, button, sticker, badge, banner, patch, emblem or other such item promoting any cause, any political party, candidate, activity, popular movement, or bearing any suggestive, immoral or obscene language. Any approved STVHS Organizational related pins are acceptable. American flag pins are acceptable. V. Personal Grooming Habits A. Fingernails should be well manicured, appropriate length and neat in appearance. 1. No cracks or chips in nail polish should be visible. 2. For infection control, any associate in areas where direct patient care is provided areas may not wear acrylic or gel or nail attachments.
SUBJECT: DRESS AND GROOMING PAGE 5 OF 5 3. Nail ornaments, attached by glue or piercing, are not allowed while working in direct or ancillary patient care areas. B. Evidence of body, face or tongue piercing and/or altering of the body, will not be worn while at work. Ear ornaments for pierced ears are limited to three (3) per ear and tasteful in design. C. For the comfort and concern of our patients, customers and guests, inappropriate or distasteful body tattoos are not to be visible while at work. D. Colored or dark lensed glasses are not to be worn on duty unless prescribed by a physician for use at work. E. Associates should exemplify the best in personal grooming habits, exhibiting no offensive body odors, dirty hair, etc. F. Excessive make-up, jewelry, perfume or cologne should not be worn. INTERPRETATION AND ADMINISTRATION: Human Resources will have the final determination on what is acceptable/unacceptable. In addition, Human Resources has the exclusive right to interpret the policy and its application. SCOPE OF DISTRIBUTION: All managers, associates, vendors, students and contracted staff REFERENCES Public Health Department Facility and Department Specific Dress Code Policies INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION: Compliance Infection Control Materials Management Risk Management Safety