Dress Code Guidelines

The following are some general guidelines concerning dress and personal appearance for all employees:

• Clothing and footwear must be clean and in good repair and fastened appropriately

• Clothing must be modest, fit properly, and may not reveal undergarments, the midriff, or private body parts

• Clothing must be free from writing, decals, and pictures except for small logos (such as NKY Health's logo)

• Clothing, accessories, and fingernails must not post a safety hazard or interfere with work duties

• Clothing and accessories must comply with OSHA and safety standards

• Clothing, makeup, hair, accessories and body art must be business-appropriate

• Perfume/cologne may be used in moderation

• Hair must appear to be clean and well-groomed

• Facial hair must appear to be clean and neatly trimmed

• Directors may specify additional requirements depending on job duties

 We realize that different work activities dictate different types of dress requirements.  Therefore, we have developed minimum standards of dress based on the type of work you are performing.  We have also broken down types of dress into three categories: business, business casual, and casual.  

The "Examples" section below lists some work activities and examples with the minimum dress standards for each activity.  The "Acceptable Attire" section below lists examples for each of the three types of dress standards we have identified (Business, Business Casual, and Casual).

We recognize that personal taste, cultural and style trends may vary and we hope that you will realize that these guidelines are not meant to infringe on personal expression but that they are also not all-inclusive. When in doubt about the appropriateness of attire for a work situation, ask your supervisor prior to wearing it.  If s/he has doubt, s/he may refer the matter to the Division Director, who may refer the matter to the Human Resources Administrator.  The intent is consistent District-wide enforcement of this policy. 

Exceptions may be made for religious or medical reasons with sufficient documentation and on a case-by-case basis for extenuating circumstances.

Please contact Human Resources if you need an exception.

Anyone who fails to abide by these guidelines, may be sent home to change clothes without pay and/or subject to disciplinary action. 

Media Contact (On Camera) = Business

Participating in Professional Meetings (Including Interviews) = Business Casual

Providing Professional Clinical Services = Business Casual or Scrubs OR Nursing Uniform

• Treating Clients in Health Centers

• Treating Clients in Community Clinical Setting

• Home Visits

• Disaster Response 

Providing Support Services in a Clinical Setting = Business Casual or Scrubs

• Checking Clients In/Out

• Interpreting

• Reception

Performing General Office Duties in an Office or Clinical Setting = Casual 

• Reception

• Typing

• Filing

• Report Writing

• Data Entry

• Phone Calls 

Other = Casual 

• Non-Clinical field / maintenance inspections

• Building Maintenance or Housekeeping

• Courier

• Moving Furniture, Files, etc.

• Cleaning Out Storage Areas

Acceptable:

• Suits, Sports Coats, and Blazers with Coordinating Bottoms in this List

• Tailored Dress Slacks

• Dress Shirts (such as button-down shirts, turtlenecks, mock turtlenecks)

• Ties

• Tailored Dresses or Dresses

• Blouses, Tailored Sweaters, and Shells

• Dress Skirts, Split Skirts, and Tailored Skorts

• Dress Shoes, Boots

Unacceptable:

• Anything Listed Under Business Casual

• Anything Listed Under Casual

Acceptable:

• Chinos, Dockers

• Attire with an NKY Health Logo

• Dressy T-Shirts

• Non-Tailored Dresses and Jumpers

• Tailored Jeans

• Knit Pants

• Coulottes, Skorts, and Skirts

• Capri Pants

• Casual Button-Down Shirts

• Polo-Style Shirts with Collars

• Sweaters and Cardigans

• Sweatshirts with Collars, Fancy Designs, etc.

• Sleeveless Tops

• Clogs and Uniform Shoes

• Sandals in an Office Setting

• Sneakers 

Unacceptable:

• Anything Listed Under Casual

• Plain Sweatshirts

• Distressed or ripped jeans

• Leather/Leather-Look pants

• Leather/Leather-Look tops

• Leather/Leather-Look skirts

• Mini-Skirts or Mini-Skorts

• Leggings Without a Long Top

• Halter Tops

• Spaghetti Straps or Strapless Tops

• Revealing Slits and/or Necklines

• Decorated/Lighted Sneakers

• Footwear that Poses a Safety Risk (e.g. footwear with holes or exposed toes in a clinic or home visiting setting, non-slip-resistant footwear at a pool inspection, cloth footwear in a caustic enrivonment, etc.)

Acceptable:

• Jeans or “5-pocket” Pants in Any Color

• Shorts

• Sweatshirts

• Plain T-Shirts Without Collars

• Athletic Shoes

• Workboots 

Unacceptable:

• Sweatpants

• Exercise Clothing

• Tank Tops, Backless Halter Tops, and Muscle Shirts

• T-Shirts with Decals and/or Writing

• Footwear that Poses a Safety Risk (e.g. footwear with holes or exposed toes in a clinic or home visiting setting, non-slip-resistant footwear at a pool inspection, cloth footwear in a caustic enrivonment, etc.)

6/8/2023

• Added Revision Log.

10/26/2023

• Removed requirement to wear lab coat and to designate color of scrubs.