DRESS CODE POLICY

1. Policy Purpose:

1.1 As per HAAD all health care providers are at all times expected to maintain acceptable
standards of personal grooming and present a neat, professional appearance. This policy
establishes guidelines for Ain Al Khaleej Hospital employees to uniformly promote and
enhance a professional image and maintain high standards of work ethics as well as
infection control.

2. Policy Statement:

2.1 Employees at Ain Al Khaleej Hospital will comply with all aspects of the Dress Code
Policy.
2.2 All Hospital employees will remain sensitive to the local culture, religion, tradition and
values.
2.3 All Hospital employees will follow Good Practice Guidelines, take appropriate
precautions to reduce the risk of cross-infection and refrain from following Poor
Practices.
2.4 Violation of the dress code policy shall face appropriate corrective measures and
disciplinary action.
2.5 Conflicts with the dress code policy will be referred to the Human Resource department
for facilitation by the Head of the Department.

3. Scope

3.1 The dress code requires that all Hospital staff follow the dress code, to portray a
professional image that is in line with the culture of the country.

4. Definitions & Abbreviations

Terms Definitions
Dress Code A set of rules specifying the correct manner of dress while on the premises of the
institution (or specifying what manner of dress is prohibited)

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Policy Number: HR-017 Version: 2 Issue Date: September 2012 Revision Date: March 2017 Next Review Date: March 2019
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 5. Responsibility:

5.1 The Human Resource department is responsible for the administration and implementation
of the dress code policy.
5.2 All Ain Al Khaleej Hospital employees will be compliant with the dress code policy.
5.3 Management, Senior Personnel and the immediate supervisor have the responsibility to
enforce the dress code policy in their divisions and departments.

6. Procedure:

6.1 Hospital I.D badges must be worn at all times on the upper left side of the blouse, shirt,
jacket or uniform top preferably.
6.2 All employees will keep their hair clean. Females shall keep long hair pulled back and
secured so that it does not hang free below the collar or hang in front of the face.
6.3 A high level of personal hygiene and grooming is essential to working in a hospital
environment.
6.4 During holiday period (Ramadan and Hajj, all staff and departments are cautioned to be
extra conservative in dress and conduct.
6.5 Operating Room scrubs are to be worn by authorized personnel only, and are not to be
worn outside the hospital at any time.
6.6 In patient care areas staff shall adhere to the following guidelines:
6.6.1 The adherence to the wearing of Jewelry while on duty shall be as follows, direct
care givers may wear:
6.6.1.1 Jewelry which poses a safety and infection risk to patients and shall
be kept to a minimum.
6.6.1.2 Lapel watches are acceptable; wrist watches are to be removed
before direct patient care to ensure effective hand washing.
6.6.1.3 Plain wedding band may be worn.
6.6.1.4 Plain, non- dangling earring, no bigger than ½ inch in diameter.
6.6.1.5 Necklace, if worn, must be covered by the uniform neckline.
6.6.1.6 Other staff:
6.6.1.7 Jewelry should be kept to a minimum and be appropriate to the work
setting.

6.6.2 Finger nails:

6.6.2.1 Must be kept short and clean at all times.
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Policy Number: HR-017 Version: 2 Issue Date: September 2012 Revision Date: March 2017 Next Review Date: March 2019
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 6.6.2.2 Only clear or neutral nail varnish is allowed.
6.6.3 Male staff with a mustache, beard and sideburn must be kept neatly trimmed.

6.6.4 UNIFORMS
6.6.4.1. Employees will be issued uniforms as per department need, a
maximum of 3 complete sets per employee as decided by the
management.
6.6.4.2. Laboratory coats will be issued only as per job requirements.
6.6.4.3. Laboratory coats will be returned to the laundry at the end of a
contract or when staff transfers to an area not requiring uniforms.
6.6.4.4. Uniforms laundered by staff must be clean and pressed.
6.6.4.5. Individual department may further identify dress code requirements
for their areas. These requirements, however, shall not be more
lenient than the overall hospital dress code, contained herein.
6.6.5 UNIFORMED STAFF
6.6.5.1. Nursing staff:
6.6.5.1.1. Three sets of the designated hospital uniforms will be
issued to each nurse.
6.6.5.1.2. Black or navy hose or socks must be worn.
6.6.5.1.3. Shoes must white, soft soled, clean, in good repair and
must totally enclose the foot. Shoes with straps (sling)
across the back, closed at toe are acceptable.
6.6.5.2. Clerical Staff–(Receptionist, Billing, Accounts department,
Insurance department & Medical Records):
6.6.5.2.1. Female staff: As decided by the management
6.6.5.2.2. Care Assistants: As decided by the management
6.6.5.3. Request changes in uniforms i.e. style/color or request for additional
uniforms should be channeled through the Head of Department.
6.6.6 Non-uniformed staff – Female:
6.6.6.1 Skirts/dresses should be worn no shorter than knee length.
Trousers should be tailored and full length (no form fitting
casual slacks or leggings.
6.6.6.2 Blouses should have three fourth or long sleeves. Sleeveless, low
cut necklines or made of sheer, see- through or clinging material
are not to be worn.

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Policy Number: HR-017 Version: 2 Issue Date: September 2012 Revision Date: March 2017 Next Review Date: March 2019
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 6.6.6.3 Informal T- shirts, jeans, leggings and tight trousers are not
appropriate in the hospital.
6.6.6.4 Moderate make- up is acceptable.
6.6.6.5 The wearing of strong smelling perfumes in patient care areas is
not acceptable.
6.6.7 Non-uniformed staff – Male:
6.6.7.1 Shirts and trousers should fit properly, be clean and in good
condition.
6.6.7.2 Shirts should be properly buttoned and worn tucked inside the
trousers.
6.6.7.3 Management staff (department heads and above) and medical
staff physicians should wear a necktie and blazer if appropriate.
6.6.7.4 T Shirts and Jeans are not acceptable attire in the hospital during
working hours
6.6.7.5 Good grooming must be practiced with hair and beards neatly
trimmed and combed.
6.6.7.6 Earrings are not acceptable.
6.6.7.7 White laboratory coats may be worn by medical staff, laboratory
coats will be issued to technical staff, where appropriate.
6.6.7.8 Local male staff should wear White Dish-Dasha/Kandhoura
only.
6.7 As per HAAD policy guidelines, all hospital employees shall follow Good Practice
Guidelines:
6.7.1 Wear clear identifiers (uniform and hospital name badge) while on duty.
6.7.2 Wear a uniform that is clean and in good repair at the start of each shift.
6.7.3 Special area staff shall change into and out of surgical scrub suits at work.
6.7.4 Change visibly soiled or contaminated uniforms immediately.
6.7.5 Surgical scrub suits are not to be worn outside the clinical area without a lab coat.
6.8 As per HAAD policy guidelines, all hospital employees shall take precautions to reduce
the risk of cross-infection:
6.8.1 When contamination with blood or body fluids is expected, staff will use
disposable plastic aprons as appropriate.
6.8.2 Uniforms washed at home (usually on a 60 0C cotton cycle), should be kept
separate from the family’s laundry.
6.8.3 Soiled uniforms should be laundered as soon as possible.

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Policy Number: HR-017 Version: 2 Issue Date: September 2012 Revision Date: March 2017 Next Review Date: March 2019
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 6.9 As per HAAD policy guidelines, employees are discouraged from participating in the
following Poor Practices:
6.9.1 Wearing of inappropriate and untidy over garments e.g. sweatshirts and
cardigans
6.9.2 Go shopping or run personal errands while in uniform.
6.9.3 Wearing of unofficial badges and adornments.
6.9.4 Obvious presence of undergarments visible through clothes.
6.9.5 Wearing of false nails while rendering direct patient care.
6.9.6 Wearing of excessive jewelry and visible piercings.

7. References:

7.1 Health Authority Abu Dhabi, Dress Code: Good Practice Guidelines for Health Care
Providers, Reference Number: PPR/HCP/P0031/08, Issue Date: February 2008, Version I

8. Appendices:

8.1 N/A

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Policy Number: HR-017 Version: 2 Issue Date: September 2012 Revision Date: March 2017 Next Review Date: March 2019
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT