Human Resources Policies

POLICY: Appearance
Policy Number: HR-49
Effective Date: July 2002
Revisions: December 2003, June 2002
Responsible Officer: Associate Dean, Planning and Operations


PURPOSE:
This policy was established to describe for employees appropriate dress for the workplace.

I. POLICY:
The College of Medicine requires employees to present a professional business image to other College of Medicine faculty, employees, patients, visitors and students.

II. ELIGIBILITY:
This policy applies to all College of Medicine non-faculty employees.

III. DEFINITIONS:
Dress is apparel or clothing appropriate for the workplace as determined by each department. Appearance is an impression or aspect of an individual’s dress, attire, or personal hygiene as determined by each department.

IV. GUIDELINES:
A. During business hours, an employee is expected to present a clean, neat and professional appearance and to dress according to the requirements of his or her position.

B. Safety and health regulations are factors to be considered when determining the appropriateness of an individual’s dress.

C. Dress and personal appearance requirements will be consistently applied by each employee’s supervisor/manager.

D. Violations of this policy will result in corrective action up to and including termination of employment.

E. An employee must wear or carry his or her College of Medicine identification badge while conducting business or visiting other work sites while working.

V. PROCEDURES:
A. The supervisor/manager is responsible for the communication of the College of Medicine’s Appearance Policy and departmental dress standards.

B. The manager/supervisor is responsible for counseling an employee about this policy and for taking corrective action for repeated or continuing violations up to and including termination.

VI. SPECIAL RULES FOR CLINICAL STAFF RELATING TO NAILS, NAIL POLISH, AND ARTIFICIAL NAILS

All direct patient care providers should keep short (less than a ¼ inch long) to medium length fingernails (no longer than 3mm or the cotton tip of a q-tip). Nail polish, if worn, should be of a light color (refrain from using purple, green, yellow, black, blue or with glitter or decorative applications ) and free of cracks and chips. Clear polish is preferable because dark colors may obscure the space
underneath the tip of the nail, reducing the likelihood of careful cleaning. Chipped nail polish is not permissible. Artificial nails and nail tips are prohibited. Nail jewelry is not permissible. Hand washing policy should be followed diligently to include use of waterless hand sanitizers.

Additional Information: Inquiries regarding this policy can be directed to the Human Resources Department.