Standards CoxHealth Title: Dress Code Guidelines Standard #: E18 ...

StandardsCoxHealthTitle: Dress Code Guidelines Standard #: E18Submitted by:Margo Jarrell-Hankey, Director HumanResourcesLast Reviewed:Formulated: 12/91 Last Revised:Approved By:I. Purpose:John Hursh, Vice President HumanResourcesStandards CommitteeApproved Date:Effective Date:02/06, 01/07,02/0802/06, 01/07,03/08(see redlineversion)3/0802/06, 01/07,03/08To ensure that all CoxHealth employees present a professional appearance to our patients, visitors,co-workers and all others that they may come in contact with throughout the workday.II.PolicyWhile at work, it is our philosophy that you are CoxHealth. Your appearance and the impressionyou make upon others do much to create the image of our facility in the eyes of those with whomyou come into contact. Employees are therefore to dress in an appropriate, professional mannerconsistent with the following guidelines:A. Work Attire – General Standards1. Whether wearing uniforms or street attire, all clothing should be clean, free ofstains, and unwrinkled.2. Clothing should not be torn or frayed, even if “fashionable.” Athletic sweat pantsand sweatshirts are not permitted.3. T-shirts when worn as an undergarment must be plain, cannot show below scrubtops nor have a sleeve longer than the top. Long sleeve tops are acceptable if theygo to the wrist.4. T-shirts, when approved to be worn as an outer garment by the departmentmanager, will be either printed to match scrubs or display professional logos. Not-shirts with writing outside of a professional logo will be permitted.5. Tight fitting clothes, including leggings, are not permitted. Clothing that isdeemed to reveal too much cleavage or is too “clingy” will not be acceptable.6. Denim jeans and any bib overalls made of any material are not acceptable attire.(Selected exceptions to this guideline may be established with prior writtenapproval of Administration and the Human Resources Department for serviceareas such as environmental services, material handling or grounds keepingfunctions.)7. Employees must wear appropriate undergarments. Undergarments are not to bevisible through other clothes.8. Hemlines of skirts and dresses should present a conservative businesslike image.Dress Code Guidelines HR – E18Page 1 of 4

9. Socks, stockings, and hosiery will be at the discretion of the department managerin keeping with department professional appearance and regulatory compliance.10. Only split skirts and culottes that have the appearance of a full skirt areacceptable. Shorts, skorts, jams, capris, clamdiggers, or any pant where the lengthis above the ankle are not acceptable.11. Halter, tank or crop tops are not permitted. Sleeveless garments that do notcompletely cover the shoulders are not permitted without a jacket. Shoulders mustbe covered at all times.12. Shirts and pants combined will at all times cover the midriff area.13. Shoes should be clean, polished, and in good repair. Shoes with moderate heelsare best. The style of shoe acceptable will be at the discretion of the departmentmanager in keeping with department professional appearance and regulatorycompliance. Any type of shoe deemed too casual for business operations will notbe permitted. Flip-flops, slippers, or similar shoes are not appropriate.14. Jewelry should be worn in moderation within the following restrictions:a) Earrings and StudsFEMALEi. No dangling earrings longer than 1 inchii. No hoops larger than two inchesiii. No earrings larger than a quarter in diameteriv. No more than two earrings per ear. No facial piercings.v. Tongue piercings or other visible body piercingsare not permitted.MALEi. Male employees are not permitted to wear earrings.ii. No facial piercings. No tongue piercings or other visible bodypiercings.b) Ringsi. No more than two ring sets per hand.15. CoxHealth is located in a conservative area of the country and any extremes infashion are not acceptable. For example: punk clothing, extreme hairstyles,wearing of nose rings, tongue piercing, offensive tattoos and wearing ordisplaying gang or satanic paraphernalia.16. Tattoos considered to be offensive by co-workers or any hospital personnel, willbe required to be covered at all times while at work.17. Personnel should bathe or shower regularly and use an effective body deodorantand breath freshener.18. In areas of the organization where permitted (i.e., Non-Tuberculin exposure areas)mustaches and beards must be conservative, neatly trimmed and groomed. If a beard ormustache is not present, the face should be cleanly shaven. Hair styles (men andwomen) should be conservative, neatly trimmed and groomed.19. Perfumes and/or scented lotions are not permitted to be worn by employees inDress Code Guidelines HR – E18Page 2 of 4

patient care areas. Employees in non-patient care areas may be requested to notwear perfume or cologne if doing so has a negative effect on co-workers orpatients.20. Fingernails must be of an appropriate length (no more than ¼ inch beyond the endof the finger). Charms or decals on the fingernails are unacceptable.21. Hospital staff who have direct contact with hospitalized patient, hospital staff whoprepare sterile products, and staff who have direct contact with outpatients indialysis and oncology units, IV infusion clinics, and wound care clinics areprohibited from wearing artificial nails or extenders.22. Hair at all times must be neatly trimmed and clean. Employees with long hair mustat all times keep it pulled back so as not to dangle on the patient.23. Casual business attire is acceptable as Friday attire (casual business attire defined askhaki or dress slacks and polo or collared shirts. No suits, ties, or jackets required) aslogo’d polo shirts/collared shirts are worn. Departments or certain designatedpositions may be exempt from this section if Administration feels that business casualdress is not appropriate.B. Hospital Provided Scrubs1. The wearing of hospital-provided scrubs is restricted to the following patient careareas:a) Surgical Services including surgery holding, PACU, Sterile Processing,and any personnel entering a surgical suite for any purpose (i.e. Radiologyor equipment vendor)b) Labor and Deliveryc) Cardiac Catherization Laboratoryd) Interventional Radiology, including Radiology nursese) Pharmacy staff assigned to sterile products and Surgeryf) Central Stores staff, when assigned to work within any of the abovedepartments.2. The Environmental Services staff responsible for the cleaning of the above listedareas will also be required to wear hospital-provided scrubs while in the restrictedarea.3. Employees are expected to wear their own clothing to and from the hospital.Scrubs are not to be removed from the hospital for any reason.4. Scrubs are not to be permanently altered in any way. Some examples ofprohibited alternations include:a) Hemming of pants or shortening by cuttingb) Cutting of side seamsc) Removal of pocketsC. Holiday Attire – General Standards1. Holiday attire is appropriate only for the following holiday periods as recognizedby the organization:Valentine’s Day – the week before and the day after.St. Patrick’s Day – the week before and the day after.July 4 th – the week before and the day after.Dress Code Guidelines HR – E18Page 3 of 4

Halloween – the week before and the day after.Thanksgiving – the week before and the day after.Christmas – December 1 st through December 31 st2. Holiday attire must be at all times, tasteful. Coloring of hair in a holiday theme is notpermitted.3. Costumes worn in conjunction with Halloween will be allowed in a department asapproved by the department manager and respective Vice President for the area.4. Holiday (Christmas) sweatshirts are permitted if approved by thedepartment manager.D. Adverse Conditions1. Under unusual internal climate circumstances, Administration may elect to easethe restrictions under Policy E-18 “Dress Code Guidelines.” The purpose of thiswould be to ensure the comfort of our employees and at the same time present aprofessional appearance as the situation allows.a. As each situation may call for different considerations, each will beaddressed in writing separately. With the exception of the specific itemsnoted, all other restrictions in the Policy E-18 still apply. Such notice willhave a specified duration if possible.b. During severe weather, such as blizzards and/or an ice storm, departmentsmay relax dress codes guidelines for the comfort and safety of staff and tofacilitate floating personnel to other departments to meet personnelshortages.c. It will be the responsibility of the appropriate area Vice President and the VicePresident of Human Resources (or designee) to delineate the appropriate attire.E. Department Dress StandardsThis policy is meant to be all-inclusive. Variations from this policy must be based onspecific patient need and must be recommended by the department manager in writingapproved by the appropriate Vice President and the Vice President of Human Resources.F. EnforcementViolation of this policy can lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination.Dress Code Guidelines HR – E18Page 4 of 4