(A) Policy statement
Every department of the university of Toledo medical center
"UTMC" will provide and enforce the dress code policy incorporating the
information below as a minimum. This dress code applies to everyone working at
UTMC. Students of the university are governed by their respective college
policies and classroom dress code policy and they are exempt from this policy
when utilizing public areas such as the cafeteria, coffee vendors, gift shop
and bookstore. Students present in patient care areas are expected to adhere
this policy. Dress-down days are not recognized. Professional attire and
personal appearance must be maintained in a dignified and business appropriate
manner by all employees during working hours and during all occasions while
representing UTMC consistent with the following guiding principles:
(1) Ease of identification
(2) Appropriateness of attire
(3) Awareness and sensitivity to religious
practice
(4) Good personal
hygiene
(B) Purpose of
policy
These dress code standards assure the safety of employees and
patients. It is the policy of UTMC that all employees (and students present in
patient care areas) observe high standards of personal appearance at all times.
UTMC employees are an important part of the hospital and university's public
image. While we respect the fact that our workforce is driven by personal
values and cultures, we expect a consistency in appearance that reflects the
values and culture of our organization. Our employees represent the hospital
and influence the opinion of our patients, visitors, customers, medical and
surgical staff, other employees and the communities we serve. Proper dress,
grooming, personal hygiene, adornment and overall appearance support a positive
and professional atmosphere, and facilitate services at the UTMC.
(C) Procedure
All faculty, employees, residents and students on patient units
at UTMC, must follow the dress code policy for their work area. The guidelines
below are minimum requirements for all departmental dress code policies.
Further details specific to departmental working environments should also be
included in a departmental policy. Personnel not in compliance with applicable
dress code policy may be asked to go home on their own time and return to work
in appropriate attire. In the event of an emergency call-in, the dress code
standards will be waived. Reasonable accommodation will be made in regards to
religious, cultural or disability situations and will be reviewed on an
individual basis for compliance with this policy, with input from the office of
institutional diversity as needed.
(1)
Hygiene
(a) Personal cleanliness: personal
cleanliness including proper oral hygiene and absence of controllable body
odors are a standard. Perfumes and fragrances should be kept at a
minimum.
(b) Hair: hair must be
kept clean and neatly styled, no extreme hair color such as blue, pink, green,
etc. All beards and moustaches should be trimmed and neat in appearance. Any
apparatus that an employee uses to hold back their hair must be
clean.
(c) Fingernails: fingernails
should be clean, well manicured and moderate in length, and appropriate for the
work site. No artificial nails are allowed for caregivers, dietary, surgery, or
surgical support employees. See (infection control policy on hand hygiene) rule
3364-109-102 of the
Administrative Code for more specific information.
(d) Jewelry: jewelry in pierced sites will be
visible on the ear only. All other piercings must be covered or removed during
work. Other jewelry should be appropriate for the work site and worn in a
limited fashion when working directly with patients. Reasonable accommodation
will be made in regards to religious, cultural or disability situations and
will be reviewed on an individual basis for compliance with this policy, with
input from the office of institutional diversity as needed.
(2) Name tags and badges
(a) Name tags: UTMC identification "I.D."
badges must be displayed at all times with the name of the employee facing
outward so that all employees are easily recognizable by all customers. The
UTMC I.D. badge needs to be worn above the waist, not on the belt or pants. The
employee's name, title, department and photo must be completely visible on the
UTMC I.D. badge (see rule 3364-40-23 of the Administrative Code for more detail on
UTMC I.D. badge requirements.) ID badges must be replaced if they become
unreadable or the employee transfers department or has a new
position.
(b) Badges/pins: a
maximum of three badges/pins (not including I.D. badge) may be worn.
Badges/pins worn must be reflective of a professional organization, customer
service, or issued by UTMC or the employee's department.
(3) Clothing
(a) Clothing: clothing should be neat, clean,
and appropriate for the department in which the employee works.
Department-specific policies may supersede these dress requirements where
appropriate. Departmental issued uniforms containing UTMC logos will be
acceptable when addressed in departmental dress code policies.
(b) Footwear: shoes must be clean and in good
repair and safe for the job duties performed. No flip flops, thongs or slippers
can be worn. Socks or hose must be worn at all times. Tennis shoes, if worn,
must be leather or synthetic leather. Medical clogs are allowed. Refer to
appropriate department-specific policies for specific compliance with patient
and employee safety regulations.
(c) Tops/shirts: clothing should cover the
back and abdomen during required movements of the individual's job. No
spaghetti straps, t-straps or halter tops can be worn and no exposed cleavage.
No sweatshirts or t-shirts, the exception being that plain colored t-shirts may
be worn under scrub suits.
(d) In
patient care areas, scrub suits may be worn in lieu of shirt and slacks.
Purchasing and laundering of scrub suits are the responsibility of the staff
member.
(e) Pants/skirts: skirt and
dress hemlines more than three inches above the knee and shorts are not
acceptable. Slacks must fall between the knee and the ankle, and must be of a
dressy or business casual nature. No bib overalls and no form-fitting
pants/slacks. Jeans are not allowed unless authorized by department-specific
policies.
(f)
Undergarments/outerwear: undergarments are required, but should not be visible
above, below or through clothing. Outdoor wear such as coats, jackets, gloves,
sunglasses and hats are acceptable when appropriate for the duties performed by
the employee. Visible tattoos must be covered while on duty, whenever
possible.
(g) Spirit wear: is
generally allowed on designated days only, but it is ultimately up to the
individual departments to decide whether to allow the spirit wear and to what
extent.
(4)
Headphone/earbud use
The use of headphones/earbuds is not acceptable unless required
for the position.
All departments must comply with the above dress code, except
where department-specific policies supersede. Employees may be disciplined up
to and including discharge for not wearing appropriate attire pursuant to this
policy.