Dress Code

Applies to: All Employees and Trainees of the Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Last Revision Date: April 24, 2013

Purpose of Policy:

The purpose of this policy is to define and enforce professional attire in the workplace. The personal appearance of all employees of the Department of Dermatology, includingclinical, research and administrative employees, plays a vital role in our interactions with patients, visitors, other hospital departments and entities, as well as internal and external customers. As personal appearance influences the perception of the Department of Dermatology, employees must dress in accordance with the policy outlined below. The Department of Dermatology prides itself in providing quality patient care and outstanding customer service to create a customer-focused, respectful, and team-oriented environment.

Department Specific Policy

*Please note that the below policy is supplemental to the BWH Policy and specific only to the Department of Dermatology. All employees must adhere to the broader BWH Dress Code/Personal Hygiene Policy #: HR-108, including maintaining clean, neat, moderate, and workspace appropriate attire.In addition, Department of Dermatology employees are expected to adhere to the below policy guidelines:

The following articles of clothing are prohibited, unless otherwise specified for a specific area (i.e. non patient care areas):

  • Sleeveless and/or strapless tops, or any top which reveals bare shoulders
  • Backless tops
  • Tops with low necklines
  • Tops that expose the midriff
  • Miniskirts
  • See through garments, or attire made of clingy fabrics more suited to eveningwear
  • Sweatpants or other athletic like attire
  • Shorts or beachwear
  • Flip-flops and other such footwear (any shoe that has a strap that goes between the first and second toe, and is without a heel strap)
  • Hiking or snow boots
  • Hats

The following articles of clothing are also prohibited in all areas with the exception of research:

  • Jeans or denim material
  • T-shirts or sweatshirts, including those with graphics and/or logos (excludes Department sponsored attire i.e. clothing with Dermatology logo)
  • Athletic shoes

Please note that when entering a patient care or research area, an employee must adhere to the specific dress code of that area.

Direct Patient Care Areas

Clinicians and Clinical Trainees

In order to adhere to hospital-wide safety and infection control standards, those working in direct patient care areas must adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Comfortable and professional clothing is recommended if scrubs are not the preferred garment of choice.
  • Clinicians are encouraged to wear a white lab coat while in direct patient care areas and when seeing patients.
  • All shoes must be closed-toed, provide safe and secure footing, and have noiseless soles and heels.
  • Scrubs should be those provided by the hospital and/or generic and should be free of any non- BWH logos.
  • Natural nails must be kept short, less than ¼ inch beyond the fingertip. Nail polish must be free of chipping.
  • No artificial nails including but not limited to tips, wraps, extenders, and nail jewelry.
  • Hair should be tied back while performing surgical procedures.

Clinical Support Staff

In order to adhere with hospital-wide safety standards, those working in direct patient care areas must adhere to the following guidelines:

  • All shoes must be closed-toed and provide safe and secure footing, have noiseless soles and heels- neutral sneakers or nursing shoes recommended.
  • Clinical Support Staff must wear scrub suits at all times. Department sponsored attire is acceptable in addition to scrub suits.
  • Natural nails must be kept short, less than ¼ inch beyond the fingertip. Nail polish must be free of chipping.
  • No artificial nails including but not limited to tips, wraps, extenders, and nail jewelry.

In addition, the following articles of clothing must not be worn while working directly with patients:

  • Sweatshirts, sweaters, or anything other than approved scrub jackets and/or Department sponsored attire.

Research Area

Staff in the research area must comply with Environmental Health and Safety Standards. Information is reviewed in the required EH&S training and is available at the following website

The following is a brief summary of key points:

  • All shoes must be non-perforated and closed-toed.
  • Long hair must be tied back.
  • Legs should be covered for the safety of the employee.
  • Lab coats and gloves must be worn when handling hazardous materials.
  • Comfortable attire is recommended within the guidelines specified and can be loose as long as it is contained underneath a lab coat; otherwise, loose clothing is prohibited. Lab coats should be removed before entering public areas (i.e. cafeteria, conference rooms etc).
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), appropriate to the specific task, must be worn in accordance with Harvard Environmental Health and Safety Services regulations.All PPE must be removed prior to leaving the work area.

EXCEPTIONS/ENFORCEMENT:

The responsibility of enforcement of dress code lies with the respective personnel and/or site managers. Any exceptions, ambiguity, and questions requiring clarification as to appropriateness of dress should be addressed with your manager.

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Last revised: 1/14/2019