2.13 – Personal Appearance

PostedDecember 8, 2020

UpdatedMay 20, 2022

ByOpen Door

All employees are required to report to work well-groomed and dressed in an appropriate manner which conveys professionalism. Personal appearance standards are set for employees to serve as role models for the individuals we serve and are to be appropriate for the positive representation of the agency in the community. Each department may require a different dress code based on the position and interactions with the community which will be determined by the department’s immediate supervisor. The following personal appearance guidelines have been set in order to ensure that dressing and grooming standards are governed by the requirements of cleanliness, safety, modesty and professionalism:

Employees are expected to maintain good personal and oral hygiene. Clothing may be casual but must be clean. Employee’s hair must be kept clean, combed and neatly trimmed; sideburns, mustaches and beards must be neatly trimmed.
Caution must be exercised when wearing jewelry. Excessive or unsafe jewelry can result in an individual or employee to be at risk for injury. Any facial piercing must have a small stud inserted during working hours. No facial rings or chains are permitted. Fingernails may be no longer than ½ inch from the tip of the finger.
Shoes should be appropriate for the working conditions, i.e. rubber “shower” thongs are not permitted. Closed-toe-shoes should be worn when working with wheelchairs. Wedge heels or regular high heels may not be more than 3 inches in height.
Shorts and skirts must be no shorter than 4 1/2” above the knee. Leggings are permitted only if they are covered with a top/dress that length is a minimum of fingertip length to the side. Short shorts, mini-skirts, tank tops, visible sports bras, revealing shirts, crop tops, tube tops, and muscle shirts are not permitted during standard working hours.
Employees must wear undergarments and they must not be visible through your clothing.
Clothing which is torn or cut off at the at the sleeve, leg, or neck, t-shirts with offensive or controversial logos, pictures, or statements, hospital scrubs, sleep wear (unless outing or activity is appropriate such as swimming, basketball, etc.) and slippers are not permitted.

Reasonable accommodations may be made for an employee’s religious and ethnic dress and grooming standards. However, radical departures from conventional dress or personal grooming standards are not permitted. Each immediate supervisor is responsible for enforcement of the personal appearance policy. Employees who report to work with inappropriate personal appearance may receive counseling, a corrective action, and/or be sent home.