Rainbow Medical Services Ltd (RMS) Code and Policy

Rainbow Medical Services Limited 179- 181 Streatham Road, CR4 2AG

Name of policy: and Uniform Policy Issue number: RMS/DCU/01 Issue date: July 2014 Issued by whom: Human Resources Review date: July 2015

Purpose At Rainbow Medical Services Ltd (the Company), we consider staff members’ dress and appearance to be of significant importance in portraying a corporate and professional image to all clients/ service users, visitors, colleagues and other stakeholders.

Policy The Company Dress Code Policy is important for the following reasons:  To present a smart and professional image, thereby increasing patient and public confidence.  Infection prevention and control  To have regard to health and safety considerations for all staff

This policy sets out the expectations of the Company in relation to the dress code for staff and volunteers at the Company offices, and the wearing of for field staff (care workers and nurses). It is designed to guide managers and staff members on the application of standards of dress and appearance. Managers and staff members are expected to use good judgment in adhering to the principles supporting this policy.

All the Company staff members are responsible for following the standards of dress, uniform and appearance laid down in this policy and should understand how this policy relates to their working environment; health and safety, infection control, particular role and duties and contact with others during the course of their employment.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that the staff members they manage adhere to this policy at all times. All staff members are required to comply with the principles of this policy. Failure to comply could constitute misconduct and could result in disciplinary action.

Dress code and uniform requirement 1. For the Company’s office staff Formal attire is to be worn Monday to Thursday. This includes , , tailored , ties, dress with buttons and collars, dress (for male staff members); For female staff members: , , jumpers, , , culottes, suits, tailored trousers, dress shoes, cardigans/ , or .

Rainbow Medical Services Ltd Dress Code and Uniform Policy Page 1 of 3 Rainbow Medical Services Ltd (RMS) Dress Code and Uniform Policy Casual attire may be worn on Friday of each week. Appropriate casual attire for work includes the following: sport / blazers, trousers, chinos or Dockers, polo shirts with collars, Oxford button-down shirts, sweaters and cardigans, loafers for the male employees. For the female employees: stirrup pants, polo shirts, culottes, , and loafers. * Skorts are defined as non-tailored split skirts; and do not include walking or shorts.*

2. For the Company’s field staff (care workers and nurses) Except in cases where clients/ service users have stated that they do not want care workers and nurses to wear uniform, all Rainbow field staff members are required to wear the appropriate uniforms to work.

The uniform for the Company’s field staff (care workers and nurses) is the Company polo with black trousers and black flat shoes (enclosed toe). Trainers, open toe shoes, , stiletto heels and flip-flops are not acceptable for work. In winter, the Company fleece is to be worn.

The uniform should always be worn in a clean and presentable and all staff must have a spare uniform in case one gets stained or wet during a shift.

Long nails (natural or artificial) are not permitted under any circumstance at work. Nails should be sufficiently short to ensure safe patient contact and good hand hygiene.

Non acceptable The following attire is not acceptable for office and field staff members: all colours and styles of tracksuits, casual sports T-shirts, T-shirts with logos, leisure shorts, combat trousers, sweatshirts, baseball /, overly tight or revealing clothes (including mini-skirts), low cut tops or those revealing the tummy, deck shoes, tennis shoes, off- the- shoulder tops, midriff length tops, tank tops, tube tops, halter tops with spaghetti straps, underwear as outwear, evening wear, and clothing bearing inappropriate slogans. length should not be above knee; and should not be too tight that they ride up the thighs when the person is seated.

Tattoos Tattoos are not encouraged and where present should be appropriately covered.

Jewellery and Piercing for field staff (care workers and nurses) must be kept to a minimum; a plain/wedding ring and a pair of discreet stud are permitted. Long dangling earrings are not allowed. Facial/body piercing is not permitted: if field staff has piercing for religious or cultural reasons, these must be covered.

Hair Hair should be neat and tidy at all times. Beards should be short and neatly trimmed, unless this reflects the individual’s religion: in such cases, it should be tidy.

Facial Covers Staff members who wear facial coverings for religious reasons are expected to remove them when they are supporting clients/ service users. This will ensure that the staff member is identifiable and facilitates communication with clients/ service users and their friends/ family.

Rainbow Medical Services Ltd Dress Code and Uniform Policy Page 2 of 3 Rainbow Medical Services Ltd (RMS) Dress Code and Uniform Policy

Personal protective clothing and equipment The provision of personal protective equipment is the responsibility of the Company; and it is the responsibility of staff members to collect supplies from the Company office. Staff members in roles that require protective clothing are required to wear this whilst carrying out their duties in accordance with health and safety requirements. If individuals are unsure about such requirements they should discuss this with their supervisor or the Registered Manager.

Enforcement of this policy Line managers and supervisors are responsible for monitoring and enforcing this policy. The policy will be administered according to the following steps: • If inappropriate or questionable attire is worn to work (in the office or the field), the respective line manager or supervisor will hold a private discussion with the employee to advice and counsel the staff member regarding the inappropriateness of the attire. • If an obvious policy violation occurs, the line manager or field supervisor will hold a private discussion with the staff member and ask the staff member to go home and change his/her attire immediately. If it is a field staff member, the field supervisor takes over their shift. • Repeated policy violations will result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

Distribution All employees will be provided with a copy of this policy. However, if you have not received a copy, please contact Human Resources for a copy of this policy.

Review and Revision This policy will be regularly reviewed. The Company reserves the right to rescind and/or amend this and all the Company’s policies, at any time.

Rainbow Medical Services Ltd Dress Code and Uniform Policy Page 3 of 3