3. Dress Code

GAIA Care has created a dress code that helps our staff to work confidently and offer our contracted Long-Term Care homes and residents a professional image. For this reason, the norm is acceptable attire for all staff, taking into account all aspects of the practice of resident care and infection prevention, a dress code has been developed that will allow our employees to work comfortably and project a professional image to our long-term care homes and residents. For this reason, the standard is suitable dress for all staff, taking all aspects of resident treatment and infection management procedures into account.

Employees are required to comply with the dress code of GAIA Care at the start and for the duration of their shift.

The dress code for GAIA Care is as follows:

• Employee identification badge: This must be worn at all of our contracted long-term care homes and must be clearly visible at all times. If this badge is missing or damaged, or is in less than ideal condition, the employee will be issued with a new identification badge by GAIA Care at no extra cost.
• Neat, clean scrubs (no outerwear or clothing must cover the scrubs of the employee)
• Tasteful makeup
• Minimal jewelry: no jewelry hanging (necklaces, bracelets earrings)
• Anti-slip running shoes: minimal color design is allowed.
• Personal hygiene is compulsory.
• No fragrance is allowed
• Long hair needs to be rolled up
• No nail polish or fake nails allowed
• Aggressive tattoos must be concealed
• Head covers can be worn and must be protected during shift and washed daily.

If an employee performs several shifts during the day at various long-term care homes, at the beginning of each shift, the employee must ensure that they wear clean scrubs to avoid the spread of germs between facilities.

GAIA Care acknowledges the need to balance, alongside religious opinions and practices, resident protection. GAIA Care has taken this topic carefully into account, and has agreed to incorporate the following guidance:

• To ensure efficient communication and reduce infection risks, Clothing covering the face (veil, niqab, burqa) will not be allowed for any workers in touch with residents, caregivers or visitors.
• Workers who choose to wear a veil while they not on duty are permitted to do so, such as during their lunch or walking around the houses. However, if asked to verify their identity against their ID badge, workers should be prepared to remove their veil.

The policy of the contracted home shall take priority where there is a difference between the policy of GAIA Care Dress Code and that of the particular contracted Long-Term Care home.