Effective: 05-24-23
Supersedes: 03-21-23
Purpose: To set a standard or uniform appearance that presents a positive and professional image.
Policy: All operations staff members and uniformed management shall wear a uniform in accordance with these guidelines. This policy is intended to provide current guidelines on dress and appearance and is not meant to be all-inclusive.
There are sweatshirts, jackets, hats, etc. with the Brewster and EasCare Logo that employees have purchased on their own which ARE NOT approved as part of your uniform. Only company issued or approved items are to be worn while on duty in the Communication Center, company vehicle, on a response, or assigned to a detail, special event, hospital or other facility for a work-related purpose.
Definition(s):
Operations staff is in reference to all EMTs, Paramedics, Ambulance Transport Specialist (ATS), Chair Car Drivers, Bus Drivers, Hospital Liaisons, Call Takers and Dispatchers.
Administrative staff is in reference to all non-clinical support staff.
Procedure
Adherence to Uniform Policy: Any employee who is found to be inappropriately dressed shall be required to correct the matter immediately or will be sent home, without pay, to change, in addition to receiving other disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Enforcement: All members of the supervisory and management staff are empowered and required to enforce uniform policies.
General Appearance
Dress, grooming, and personal cleanliness standards contribute to the morale of all employees and affect the business image Brewster and EasCare Ambulance Service presents to its customers and the public. Due to the fact the Company’s image has a direct impact on Brewster and EasCare Ambulance Service’s ability to retain existing customers and acquire new ones, it is the Company’s policy that all employees’ appearance be clean, neat and tasteful, consistent with the professional image Brewster and EasCare Ambulance Service wishes to project.
Brewster and EasCare Ambulance Service requires a professional and conventional appearance for all employees during working hours.
· Company issued or approved uniform shirt and pants only.
· Six (6) pocket pants are not allowed or issued by the company.
· Black boots or black sneakers and a black belt.
· Undershirts must be navy blue or white.
· EMS pins, name plate and company picture ID must be worn at all times.
· Company approved jacket, sweater, vest or approved raincoat or high visibility option as indicated below.
· Uniforms should not display and/or bear any additional patches, screen printing, embroidery etc.
Approved Uniform Items
Item 4660 – Blauer Softshell Fleece Jacket (Dark Navy) OR your previously issued and approved navy-blue Brewster and EasCare Ambulance Service winter jacket.
Item 233R - Blauer Reversible Rain Jacket Hi-Vis /Black- Plain (DOES NOT ZIP INTO 4660) http://www.blauer.com/b-dry-reversible-rain-jacket-233r.html
Item 9840 – Crosstech Color block Emergency Response Dark Navy w/ HI-VIS Yellow (ZIPS INTO 4660) http://www.blauer.com/crosstech-colorblock-emergency-response-jacket-9840.html
Item 9970V – Hi-Vis Supershell w/Gore-Tex Dark Navy w/ Hi-Vis Yellow (ZIPS INTO 4660) http://www.blauer.com/hi-vis-supershell-jacket-w-gore-tex-9970v.html
Brewster Ambulance Service is proud to support our military and participates in “RED Friday” which stands for “Remember Everyone Deployed”. Red polo shirts procured from our approved vendor may be worn on Fridays. (Available here: https://hipaa.jotform.com/221004511815138 )
Appearance
· Body tattoos must be inconspicuous and cannot be offensive, discriminatory, or signify gang affiliation. If offensive, or may be interpreted as offensive, and visible to the public, tattoos must be covered while on duty or in uniform. Tattoos on the head, face or neck are generally prohibited. Exceptions may be made for cosmetic or permanent make-up, or head tattoos covered by hair. One tattoo behind each ear, not to exceed one inch in measurement in all directions is permitted.
· Jewelry cannot be excessive, functionally restrictive, or pose a danger to job safety or performance.
· Dangling earrings are prohibited during working hours and/or while working on the ambulance or chair car. Field employees may wear a maximum of one stud earring per ear. Studs may not be larger than a quarter of an inch. Ear gauges and tunnels are permitted, but must be filled with a flesh colored plug while on duty.
· Facial jewelry such as eyebrow, nose, or lip rings, tongue studs, or any other facial piercing must not be worn during working hours.
· Torso body piercings with visible jewelry or jewelry that can be seen through or under clothing must not be worn during working hours.
· Makeup should not be excessive and be in good taste.
· Hair must be of a naturally occurring color and may not extend beyond the shirt collar.
· Nail Polish: No nails shall display offensive or vulgar words, phrases, symbols or gestures. Nails shall be neatly trimmed.
· Approved hats include the Brewster and EasCare baseball cap or a plain navy blue or black beanie style winter hat. If gloves or scarves are worn, they must also be plain navy blue or black. Hats, caps, and sunglasses should not be worn while inside buildings.
Hair
Personal grooming and hygiene are critical to promoting a clean and healthy work place and to reinforcing the company’s professional standard and image. The following requirements are also implemented for safety reasons.
Hair: At all times, long hair shall be pulled back, tied up off the collar and not interfere with your vision.
Facial Hair: This section will apply to our team members wishing to present / wear a beard, sideburns, or mustache. Team members wishing to grow facial hair in accordance with this policy will only be permitted while off duty.
1. Mustaches shall be neatly trimmed and shall not extend below the corners of the mouth.
2. Sideburns shall be neatly trimmed and extended in a clean-shaved, horizontal line. Sideburns will not extend downward beyond the bottom of the earlobe and shall not protrude forward more than one inch from the front of the ear.
3. Beards and goatees: A neatly trimmed beard with a mustache, or goatee with a mustache is allowed. The length / bulk of the beard cannot exceed ½ of an inch, and beard stubble will not be considered neat, clean, and professional. A beard must be worn “full”, neatly trimmed, and well-groomed at all times to maintain a professional appearance. It must include hair on the chin area. Team members must still be able to pass the N95 mask fit testing, which may require adjusting or shaving facial hair.
a. Goatee: shall be worn with a mustache. The cheeks, jawline, and neck shall remain clean shaven.
b. Beard: shall be worn with a mustache and shall cover the complete jawline. Cheeks shall be shaved on and above the cheekbone. The neck shall be clean shaven on and below the Adam’s apple.
c. Those without beards must be clean-shaven at the start of their shift.
Patches
A triangular shaped company patch shall be sewn midline on the left sleeve of all company issued or approved uniform shirts and jackets. A rocker signifying Supervisor, Manager, or other approved designation shall be affixed above the patch. A round company patch shall be affixed midline on the right sleeve. Depending on level of clinical certification or assignment, this patch may also denote “Emergency Medical Technician”, “Paramedic”, or “Communications”. Patches are provided on all company issued shirts and jackets. Company patches are required on optional (approved) employee purchased garments. Company patches are available from Logistics.
Uniform Cleanliness
Uniforms and outer garments shall be clean, pressed and in good condition. An employee needing their company issued outer garment cleaned due to contamination by blood or body fluids must contact a member of management for instructions. The company does not provide routine outer garment cleaning services.
Replacement or Repair of Company Issued Uniform Items
Uniform pants and shirts are generally replaced every year unless the garment is in poor condition and appears worn sooner. Uniform jackets are replaced every three years. Contact Logistics or a member of management during normal business hours for Company issued uniform shirts and pants that require repair or replacement. You can fill out a uniform request form found on the Company’s scheduling / checklist software.
Spare Uniforms
All full-time and part-time uniformed employees are required to keep, at a minimum, one clean pair of uniform pants and one uniform shirt that is accessible while on duty during their shift in case the uniform they are wearing is soiled or contaminated.
Other Insignia / Pins
Other pins or insignia that may be worn on your uniform or outerwear are listed below:
· Graduation pins from EMT, Paramedic or Allied Health Programs
· Pins awarded by Regional or State EMS Agencies
· Pins issued or given as a gift by the company
· US flags or other NON-political patriotic pins
· Mourning bands for an appropriate length of time
· Name plates
· Employees may wear two collar pins, one on each collar, defining their level of certification, a nameplate and up to TWO additional pins or insignias from the above list. The additional pins or insignias may be worn only on the pocket flap of your uniform shirt or directly above your pocket flap.
· Pins or buttons of a political nature or those that endorse a product or service are not permitted.
Separation of Employment
Company issued uniform items, identification cards, and other equipment remain the property of Brewster Ambulance Service. Employees are required to return all company owned property upon end of employment. Failure to do so may result in the employee being held financially responsible for reasonable costs. Company property must be returned no later than the end of your last shift unless other arrangements have been approved by your Operations Manager or Human Resources.
Wearing of Uniform While Off Duty
As the uniform is a means to identify you as a representative of the Company it is not possible for the public to be able to tell if you are on duty or off duty. Company uniforms and outer garments are provided for use while on-duty or at approved events and should not be worn for any other reason.
The purchase or consumption of alcoholic beverages or patronizing liquor stores, taverns, bars or pubs while in any portion of the company uniform that identifies you as an employee of the company is STRICTLY PROHIBITED and may result in immediate termination.
Administrative Dress Standards
Employees are required to present a professional business image at all times. All attire must be modest, clean, neat, well-fitting and well- Maintained (not frayed, faded or wrinkled, no holes, stains or patches).
For Manager level positions and above, business professional is the required attire. Uniforms are acceptable provided they meet all uniform guidelines.
For non-managerial employees, business casual is acceptable; however, it is still necessary to maintain a professional business image.
Consider your daily schedule. If you are meeting with visitors, a traditional business dress may be more suitable. If in doubt whether the attire is appropriate, wear something you know is appropriate and seek guidance from your Direct Supervisor.
Articles of inappropriate clothing would include, but are not limited to, the following:
· Shirts that expose cleavage or the midriff area, halter or tube-type shirts, see-through or fishnet tops;
· Clothing that reveals undergarments, i.e., low-cut, see-through or baggy;
· Skorts, skirts, and dresses that are higher than two (2) inches above the knee;
· Spandex or other form-fitting pants;
· Spaghetti-strap dresses or tops with bare shoulders (unless worn under a blouse or jacket);
· Flannel shirts, T-shirts, or sweatshirts;
· Any clothing with potentially offensive words, terms, graphics, logos, pictures, cartoons, or slogans.
If an employee is inappropriately dressed or groomed, the employee may be sent home and directed to return to work after improving their clothing or hygiene to meet the standards set forth by this policy. An offense may result in corrective action up to and including termination.
If you have any questions about appropriate attire, contact your Direct Supervisor.
An employee’s medical condition or religious beliefs, as defined by applicable law that requires deviation from the guidelines above, will be considered on an individual basis.