Dress Code and Identity Badge
PNL believes that appropriate dress promotes professionalism and supports infection control. In
designing this code consideration has been given to the diversity of our workforce.
By following the code staff will:
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Present a professional image to clients, patients/service users and the public
Minimise the risk of cross infection and harm to patients/service users
Protect themselves from harm
Abide with PNL policy.
Policy
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Staff will present themselves in a smart and professional manner
A traditional healthcare worker uniform will be worn while on duty in hospitals (and other
areas of work if so directed by the customer or PNL), except where agreed in writing
Where anything other than a healthcare uniform is worn, staff will wear apparel that is in
keeping with this code
Staff will be strongly urged (mandated, for staff employed after 1st July 2013) to wear PNL
branded garments, where available and appropriate
Staff will not wear the branded clothing of other health, social care or other organisations
Headscarves and headwear may only be worn on religious grounds
The face shall not be covered while engaging in nursing or care duties
Jewellery (other than a plain wedding band) may not be worn where it is visible
Fingernails will be kept short
Nail varnish, nail decorations, false nails and false eyelashes will not be worn
Hair will be clean and tidy. Long hair will be tied back off the face and collar
Sensible, appropriate footwear will be worn
Staff will maintain excellent standards of personal hygiene and grooming, be free of body
odour and practice effective oral hygiene
Strong scents and perfumes, and soaps and substances that may cause illness or irritation to
sensitive service users, will not be used
Staff will abide with any alternative dress code of the client
PNL identity badges will be worn at all times upon arriving for duty and throughout working
hours (it may be appropriate to remove badges during certain procedures for safety reasons)
PNL identity badges and uniforms will not be worn by the owner or anyone else when not
undertaking work authorised by PNL.
Compliance with this policy will be maintained at an operational level and may form part of staff
appraisals, supervision and quality assurance monitoring.
PNL Dress Code
Clothing
Work clothes should never look anything other than professional and fit for purpose:
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Garments should not be worn where they:
o Restrict movements necessary for manual handling and other safe procedures
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June 2013. Revised 04.07.13.
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Could be considered revealing or inappropriate
Bear pictures or slogans, including obtrusive or unrelated brand names or logos
Look old and tatty.
Staff are expected to:
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Wear clothing suitable for the job they undertake and the setting in which they are assigned.
In healthcare establishments this will normally be a standard uniform of the kind worn by
health and social care workers, and take into account their role and seniority
Avoid wearing uniforms similar to those worn by the hirer’s employees to prevent confusion
of roles and responsibilities
Wear PNL-branded uniforms where available and appropriate
Possess enough sets of clothing so that suitable, freshly laundered and pressed garments are
always available.
Wash garments at the hottest temperature suitable for the fabric (a wash for ten minutes at
60°C will remove most micro-organisms).
Protect work-wear from contamination by tobacco smoke and strong smells.
Uniforms should be covered outside of the workplace to deter unwanted attention.
Hospitals and Institutions:
Staff assigned to hospitals and similar environments should wear:
Women
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A traditional nursing style dress (hemline below the knee) or tunic
Tights (black, almost black, flesh coloured or neutral)
Men
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White tunic with short sleeves
Dark grey or black trousers
‘Scrubs’ may only be worn in relevant environments, e.g. Special Care Baby Unit; ICU, PICU; A&E,
operating theatre, and not outside of hospital. Theatre blues should be laundered by a suitable
healthcare clothing cleaning company.
Homecare and Other Environments:
In some areas it may be inappropriate to wear a standard uniform. For example, service users may
prefer that professional visitors wear informal clothing to avoid drawing attention to their care
needs. Where a PNL manager and the client agree, staff may in these situations refrain from wearing
a ‘uniform’; however work-wear must meet all other criteria set out above, e.g. laundered and
smart; not revealing or inappropriate in any way.
Homecare staff should wear:
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PNL branded polo shirt, with
Trousers, in black, navy or other dark colour or dark tights.
Or where agreed with PNL, individuals may choose from the following alternatives:
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Short sleeved blouse or shirt, polo shirt or sweatshirt, in white, lavender or navy, with
Trousers, in black, navy or other dark colour, or dark tights.
Unacceptable Attire:
PNL believes the following items of clothing to be inappropriate: jeans, tracksuits, jumpsuits,
leggings and shorts; t-shirts, except worn as a vest and then not of an inappropriate colour; clothing
bearing pictures, designs or slogans (excluding the PNL logo); trousers worn below hip level; skirts
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June 2013. Revised 04.07.13.
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worn above the knee; tops that do not cover the stomach, back or shoulders; clothing that
does not hide underwear or tattoos; garments that are torn, faded, stained, frayed, ill-fitting or
which give an unkempt appearance; caps, hats and hoods (a traditional nurse’s cap may be
acceptable).
It is inappropriate to wear jackets, cardigans, jumpers or fleeces while working except, perhaps, in
unheated homes at night when not performing care tasks: clinical staff should not wear sleeves
below the elbows when carrying out nursing or care as cuffs can become heavily contaminated and
are more likely to come into contact with patients. Vests and undergarments should be covered.
Footwear
Smart, firm-based ‘work shoes’ are required. Staff will not wear high or exaggerated heels; opentoed shoes or sandals; boots, trainers, plimsoles or any shoe that may slip while performing duties.
Quiet, rubber-soled footwear is preferred. Suede and canvas shoes are not acceptable; it must be
possible to wipe clean outer surfaces. Clogs can be worn if essential for a particular work area.
Shoes must be clean and in a good state of repair. All footwear should be black in colour.
Jewellery & Tattoos
Jewellery should not be worn where it is visible to the eye or where it may constitute a risk. This
includes necklaces and chains, bracelets, rings and earrings (a plain wedding band is permissible).
Some establishments may permit small, plain ear studs but staff must check with their local line
manager before wearing these. Nose studs are not appropriate.
Jewellery presents a risk to health and safety: it may enter wounds or fall into equipment; it may
scratch or be uncomfortable against sensitive skin. Jewellery can prevent skin around it from being
thoroughly cleaned during hand washing and therefore creates a risk of cross-infection.
Tattoos can be objectionable to some people and should not be visible.
Hair
Hair should be kept clean and tidy. Long hair must be tied back off the face and prevented from
falling forward so creating a safety hazard. Men should preferably be clean shaven but otherwise will
keep beards and moustaches neat and trimmed.
Staff should not colour their hair with impermanent dye if it may rub onto clothing or materials.
Wigs and toupees are not permitted.
Personal Grooming
Staff are expected to maintain an excellent standard of personal hygiene and be free of body odour.
For this reason we advise a daily shower and the use of non-perfumed antiperspirant deodorant.
Effective oral hygiene is to be practised.
Strong scents and perfumes, and soaps and substances known to exacerbate illness or irritation to
sensitive skin, are not permitted.
Fingernails are to be kept short to encourage good hygiene and reduce the risk of trauma to nurse or
patient. Nail varnish, nail decorations and false nails are not permitted. False eyelashes may not be
worn on duty.
Wristwatches
Wristwatches are a source of infection and can cause injury when transferring patients. They may
not be worn on duty.
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June 2013. Revised 04.07.13.
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Exceptions to the Dress Code
We recognise the diversity of our staff and will take a sensitive approach when an individual’s
culture, religion or disability suggests an adaptation to our Dress Code; however priority will always
be given to health and safety concerns. Staff members wishing to depart from policy should discuss
this with a PNL manager.
Headscarves and headwear that do not cover the face, such as the hijab, turban and skull cap, are
permitted on religious grounds. Headgear should be black or other dark colour.
The special needs of pregnant staff will be considered.
Uniforms need not be worn to events such as training days and peer group meetings, however
consideration should be given to the activities to be undertaken; so, for example, tight clothing and
heels will be unsuitable for a manual handling course.
Identity Badge
PNL will provide authorised staff with an identification (ID) badge. It will feature:
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The bearer’s name
The name or logo of our company
Our contact details
If you are a nurse, your NMC personal identification number
A recent photograph of you (no older than five years); and
An expiry date, set at no more than three years from the date the badge is issued.
The ID badge must be worn when reporting for duty and while on duty, except during procedures
where it may present a health and safety risk, or where the client has requested the badge not be
worn; in which events it should be removed for the necessary period, kept secure and close at hand.
Staff must:
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Not allow anyone else to wear or borrow their ID badge inside or outside of work
Return the badge to PNL should their relationship with the company end
Report to PNL immediately if their badge is lost or stolen
Inform PNL at the earliest possible opportunity if they arrive for work without their badge.
Not attempt to gain access to a property without an ID badge and where they are not well
known to local managers/householders
Inform PNL if their badge is about to become invalid and they have received no notification
about a replacement
Securely destroy or return to PNL expired ID badges
Not seek to represent the company in any way if they do not possess a valid PNL ID badge.
PNL Dress Code
June 2013. Revised 04.07.13.
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