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Wearing the uniform correctly

  • Friday, November 04, 2016 8:31 AM
    Message # 4364067
    Deleted user

    How important is it to maintain the correct way volunteers wear their uniforms?  

    They come in with the wrong color of pants, or turtlenecks instead of their issued shirts, etc.  Other than a bad impression,  Is this an important battle to fight?  Does Joint Commission have anything to say about it?    

  • Friday, November 04, 2016 8:57 AM
    Reply # 4364124 on 4364067
    Deleted user

    I don't believe Joint Commission would have anything to say about the uniform...their only concern would be if everyone is wearing a badge.  My uniform guidelines have become more lax over time.  I do require everyone to purchase a uniform and most do wear it.  As long as the volunteer doesn't come in wearing jeans or shorts or something inappropriate, I don't make a big deal about it. 

  • Monday, November 07, 2016 1:47 PM
    Reply # 4368892 on 4364067

    I'm firm on this topic. The volunteers are representing our hospital and my department, so I expect them to maintain certain standards in their appearance. We have expanded some of our color choices to help with this, but all volunteers are expected to wear the prescribed uniform. For us, this means the pink (women) or burgundy (men) jacket/vest/shirt issued by Volunteer Services, along with a solid white top underneath the jacket or vest, and khaki or black pants. Some of our long time female volunteers who are very traditional still wear white pants, and that's okay too.

  • Wednesday, September 27, 2017 9:55 AM
    Reply # 5282451 on 4364067
    Deleted user

    My volunteers are encouraged to take pride in wearing the uniform.  The men wear button down shirts (burgundy) tucked in in the fall and winter.  spring and summer they wear polos.  Women wear the burgundy smocks year round.  All lobby and front desk volunteers wear a navy blazer with the volunteer monogram. I have had many visitors inquire about volunteering because they are so impressed with the professional look of the volunteers. 

  • Thursday, September 28, 2017 10:22 AM
    Reply # 5284034 on 4364067
    Carol Biagini (Administrator)

    I too have been addressing issues of lack of compliance.  Volunteers are supposed to wear red top with navy, khaki, black or white slacks/skirt/capre slacks for ladies.  No shorts, No jeans and recently added No leggings.  Our surveyors have never mentioned anything regarding volunteer appearance.  In our long term care facility it is very lax due to the environment; but, the main hospital is more enforced.  Red cotton t-shirts were purchased for those who do gardening (at no cost to the volunteer).  I stress at my annual training the need to wear the appropriate attire.  I bring samples and do a show and tell.  I also put it as a question on the post test for training.  The show and tell is a bit elementary, but, it gets the point home.  We also have a corporate wide policy of "natural" hair color, covering inappropriate tattoo's and face piercings.  These issues are stated at interview.

  • Thursday, September 28, 2017 10:27 AM
    Reply # 5284040 on 4364067
    Deleted user

    At Children's of Alabama, volunteers have three options, all in the same "volunteer" color:  scrubs, lab jacket or polo shirt.   It is our policy that you must be in uniform, and that it is cleaned and not wrinkled beyond expectation of normal wear.

    We send volunteers home if they arrive not in the proper uniform.  The volunteer represents our entire program to each staff member or guest.  

  • Friday, September 29, 2017 6:57 AM
    Reply # 5287246 on 4364067

    We have gone away from volunteer uniforms. The only things we issue are polos for teens. They are to wear black or khaki pants with the navy blue polo that I provide. Adults are to follow the dress code for employees: business casual. We also have the "natural hair color" and "no visible tattoos" in our policy.

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