3364-25-06. Dress code

(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.

Effective: 4/11/2019
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 3364
Rule Amplifies: 3364
Prior Effective Dates: 03/31/2018