PURPOSE:

LAC+USC Healthcare Network personnel recognize that dress, grooming and personal cleanliness contribute to the morale of all employees and impacts the image that the LAC+USC Healthcare Network presents to patients, families and the community.

The image presented by the employees affects the willingness of patients to choose a LAC+USC Healthcare Network facility to obtain their medical care.

To establish a minimum dress code standard for all LAC+USC Healthcare Network employees.

POLICY:

All employees, including County, contract. University and volunteers, shall present a clean, neat appearance and dress according to the requirements of their position.
Where uniforms are required, the employee shall wear the required uniform while on duty. The employee is also responsible for maintaining the uniform in good repair.

Each department shall enforce supplementary dress code standards in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) provisions where the safety of the employee and/or patient are not addressed in the minimum standards.

GUIDELINES:

Minimum Standards

• The official LAC+USC Healthcare Network photo identification badge must be worn at all times, between the shoulder and waist, with the name and picture easily visible.

• Clean and shined shoes of leather or leather type material and constructed of sufficient strength to protect the foot.

• Hair is to be clean and neatly groomed; for patient care and areas containing moving equipment, hair must be secured at the shoulders. Beards and mustaches are to be neatly trimmed to show evidence of grooming and good care.

• Nails are to be clean, and of a length that does not interfere with work performance, personal safety and/or patient care.

• Cosmetics should be appropriate for a business environment.

(6.99)

• Jewelry  that  is  consistent  with  the  work  assignment,  not  injurious  to  the  patient  or pose a potential safety problem to the employee may be worn. Dangling jewelry including ornate rings, long neck chains and earrings that extend below the ear lobe may not be worn by patient care personnel for safety reasons. Body piercing ornaments and earrings worn in other visible exterior parts of the body, other than the ear, are not permissible.

• Hosiery or socks shall be worn at all times.

EXAMPLES OF INAPPROPRIATE ATTIRE:

• Jeans style pants.

• Tight,  sheer  or  revealing  clothing  (i.e.,  clothing  items  constructed  of spandex material, leggings, etc.).

• T-shirts,  undershirts,  or  sleeveless  shirts  worn  by  themselves.  T-shirts  with  a collar (i.e.. Polo shirts) are acceptable.

• Shorts  of any  type.

• Sandals  (i.e.,  thongs  or  beach  wear).

• Midriff or off the shoulder blouses, sweaters, and dresses.

• Spaghetti strap or strapless blouses and dresses.

• Sweatshirts/pants  or  exercise  attire.

• Wearing of OR/procedure room attire outside of the patient care area (i.e., masks, booties, hair coverings).

• Patient clothing including patient gowns, slippers and isolation gowns. Torn or unclean clothing or uniforms.

• Ill fitting clothing and uniforms (i.e., oversized, potentially hazardous).

• Caps or hats.

LAC+USC HEALTHCARE NETWORK
DRESS CODE
PAGE 3

COMPLIANCE:

Requests  for exception  to  the dress  code standards  for medical  or religious accommodation will be considered on an individual basis.

It is the employee's responsibility to comply with the dress code standards.

It is the responsibility of the supervisor to monitor compliance with dress code standards.

Failure to comply with the dress code standards by a contract employee may result in cancellation of assignment.

Failure to comply with the provisions of this dress code policy shall result in progressive disciplinary action, if appropriate.

I, _________________________________,                   ____________
    Employee Name (Please Print)                                        Employee #

acknowledge that I have received the LAC+USC Healthcare Network's Dress Code, a copy of which is attached.
 

_________________________________,                   ____________
Employee Signature                                   Date

Distribution:  Original to employee's official personnel folder

July 15, 1999

TO:              LAC+USC Healthcare Network Employees

FROM:        Roberto Rodnguez, Executive Director
                    LAC+USC Healthcare Network

SUBJECT:   LAC+USC HEALTHCARE NETWORK DRESS CODE
                    STATEMENT OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The attached LAC+USC Healthcare Network Dress Code will be implemented on August 2, 1999. The Office of Human Resources has informed and consulted with the labor organizations.

Most of you know that one of my main goals is to change the image of the Network. In order to ensure our viability we must attract more patients. To attract patients we have to become more customer friendly and present a professional image. This dress code will assist with this goal because dress, grooming, and personal cleanliness contribute to maintaining a professional image, which gives the patients confidence in our expertise.

I wish to thank the labor organizations for reviewing and offering us their input and I also want to thank you in advance for the effort I know you are going to make to help us change our image.  Remember, our patients are the reason we are here; without them we do not have a job.

In order to ensure that you are aware of our dress code expectations, attached are two (2) copies of the LAC+USC Healthcare Network Dress Code. One copy is for your personal reference and the second copy is to be signed and returned to your immediate supervisor no later than Wednesday, July 28,1999.

Should you have any questions, please contact your immediate supervisor.

RR:m
d resscov.wpd