Joy of Tights (aka pantyhose): Summa Health Gets its Tights in a Twist about Pantyhose

Summa Health System, the largest employer in Akron (Ohio), rolled out its new dress code policy last week. Underwear is required, along with pantyhose for women, naturally colored hair and un-pierced lips, noses and eyebrows.

Wearing underwear is perhaps uncontenious, but pantyhose? And some reports even add that women must wear closed toe shoes.

Half right - pantyhose but those toes are awfully open

Now this doesn't appear to mean that you have to wear pantyhose. The ruling is "Wear pantyhose or tights with skirts and dresses." I guess women can still wear trousers (pants). Furthermore, having closed toe shoes may make sense in an envionment where heavy objects are being moved and feet are likely to get run over by trolleys. (Although I don't think standard shoes would give much potection against an oxygen cylineder being dropped on your toes)

Tights right, trousers (pants) permitted, but open toe, what a no-no

This ruling will affect a lot of workers. The policy affects all 9,000 employees of the health system, including Akron City, St. Thomas and Barberton hospitals, SummaCare insurance, Summa Physicians Inc., and outpatient facilities.

Not a march of Summa empolyees but with all those nyloned nurses it could be

Summa spokesman Mike Bernstein said all health care organizations have thorough dress code policies.

“The specific requirements of the policy are designed with the best interests and safety of our patients in mind as well as to ensure the image we portray as an organization is characteristic of our outstanding reputation in the community,” he said in an email. “To that end and to make sure the policy is fair to all employees, it is created with direct involvement from a number of clinical and non-clinical people from across the organization and also is representative of the feedback that we receive from our patients.”

As a patient do you feel it safer hands because these medics are in tights? (I'd be more concerned about the skull and drill)

I do feel that professionals or even office staff should be smart at work. Tights are part of that, if you have taken time to put tights on, it shows you can be bothered. Although the rules should apply equally to men and women - no, not that men should wear tights - but that men should be equally smart; for example, by wearing shirt and tie. At least the Summa policy puts restrictions on men too: "facial hair can’t exceed half an inch in length for safety."

Nice to see a man in a tie

At least the Summa policy puts restrictions on men too: "facial hair can’t exceed half an inch in length for safety." You wouldn't want to set your beard on fire at work.

Safe level of facial hair.

But does wearing tights really improve the quality of care? Could Summa lose good staff who don't like the dress code? As one employee said:

“OMG!” wrote another worker. “As of July, female employees are required to cover all skin except their face, neck and lower arms. If they wear skirts, they have to wear tights or panty hose. … Even the employees who wear very conservative dress for religious purposes are upset!!!!”

"Workers also can’t wear capri pants or open-toed shoes." But thank the gods that management hasn't banned heels

Nice heels

“The patients, visitors, families, the public, etc., have a right to expect a neat and professional appearance of those who serve them at all times,” the policy states. And of course other professions we trusst waer hose.