DRESS CODE & STAFF IDENTIFICATION BADGE GUIDANCE                 Issue 1  November 2014  Agreed by Core Group – October 2014     

 

Contents Introduction

3

General Dress Code

3

Religious or Other Considerations

3

Staff and Worker Identification

4

Useful Contacts

5

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Dress Code & Identification guidance – Oct 2014 

Introduction Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust values and respects its employee’s individual preference or requirement for customary dress, to be worn for cultural or religious reasons, subject to the minimisation of health, safety and infection risk. The objective and purpose of this guidance is to ensure a common understanding of issues relating to dress and the wearing of identification badges amongst Trust staff, workers, agency, contractor and volunteers ensuring that issues related to these subjects are applied in a consistent manner throughout the Trust. All staff and Trust workers are required to promote and maintain a professional image to other staff, workers, agency, contractor and volunteers, users of the Trust’s services, their carer’s and the general public. This should include consideration of work wear when representing the Trust in external environments e.g. courts of law.

General Dress Code The Trust does not insist on any particular dress for its employees, except where there are health, safety and security concerns, or where a job, secondment or placement requires that uniform or protective clothing be worn. Staff and workers must ensure that their appearance is neat, clean, tidy, non-revealing and appropriate to the environment in which they are working. All clothing will comply with Health and safety legislation and be in accordance with the Trust’s Health, Safety & welfare Policy 16.01and other associated Health & Safety related policies. All clothing worn will comply with the requirements of Infection control and hand washing will be observed in accordance with the Trusts Hand Hygiene Policy - 18.04, Infection, Prevention and Control -18.05 and any associated policies, available on the intranet. Religious or Other Considerations Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust values the diversity of its staff and workers and aims to create an environment where the beliefs of all, whether cultural, religious, non-religious or philosophical, are respected. Where staff are working directly in a therapeutic environment with service users, the Trust expects that full facial veils will not be worn. This is justifiable expectation, based on the evidence of the importance of non-verbal communication and, in particular facial expression in the development of trusting and therapeutic alliance.

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Dress Code & Identification guidance – Oct 2014 

Staff and Worker Identification All members of staff, workers, Visitors, Contractors, Locums, Voluntary Workers, Students Academics, Bank and Agency will be issued with an identification badge which includes a full facial photographic image of the individual, Trust logo, name and job title/role. The identification badge will be issued on commencement or placement either by HR Recruitment and Resourcing or, for staff working at Arnold Lodge, Wathwood or Rampton Hospital, by locally based security services. Staff and workers must wear their identification badge in a clear and visible manner at all times, whilst on duty, unless the specific situation, or more hazardous duties suggests otherwise and is pre-agreed by management. In such circumstances staff and workers should carry and have their ID badge available for inspection if requested and resume it’s wear as soon as practicable. The ID badge should ideally be worn on a 4 break, lanyard for all clinical staff. All ID badges remain property of the Trust. Managers are responsible for the safe return of ID badges to HR Recruitment and Resourcing or confirmation of its secure destruction (i.e. shredding) on termination of employment. Managers will arrange for any changes to staff or worker ID badges to be undertaken with the issuing department e.g. in relation to name or job title/role changes, this may include updating their photographic image from time to time to ensure they remain identifiable. Where staff/worker ID badges are lost, misplaced or suspected to have been stolen this should be in writing, signed and dated, to the line manager immediately. The manager will notify, where appropriate the relevant security department, or the local HR Recruitment team and arrange for a replacement badge to be issued. Staff are reminded to be vigilant regarding individuals who wish to gain access to NHS premises whilst posing as a member of staff/worker or unauthorised visitors and encouraged to report their concerns immediately to their manager or senior member of staff.

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Dress Code & Identification guidance – Oct 2014 

Useful Contacts

Infection Control Lead Practitioner for Infection Prevention and Control Rampton Hospital – Forensic Services Infection Control: Junior Matron Highbury Hospital – Local Services

(01777) 248321x 7765

(0115) 9691300 x 14092

Infection Prevention and Control Matron West Bridgford Health Centre – Health Partnerships

0115 8837319 (Direct Dial)

Equality and Diversity Equality and Diversity Advisor Rampton Hospital – Forensic Services

(01777) 248321x 7641

Head of Equality and Diversity Duncan Macmillan House – Local Services

(0115) 9934543

Equality and Diversity Lead Rainworth Primary Care Centre – Health Partnerships

01623 791035

For all other queries please contact your local Human Resources Advisor/Manager.

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Dress Code & Identification guidance – Oct 2014