My friend's employers who shall for now remain nameless have new owners who have decided to make all in their workplace posts uniform.
Fair enough they are providing the uniform but they've issued an E mail stating that all staff whose hair is longer than collar length will be expected to wear dresses, whilst those with shorter hair suits. They observed that this doesn't constitute sexual discrimination since the rules apply equally to both genders. My friend is the only male employee with long hair(about which the employer has complained). My friend feels that this is an attempt by the employer to obtain his resignation.Is such a dress code unlawful?
2007-02-01 04:13:17 · 15 answers · asked by Aine G 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Generally dress codes which require different sexes to have different hair lengths and so on are NOT unlawful, according to the courts. A lot of lawyers think the courts are talking complete rubbish on this one though. See the case report below, it'll make interesting reading for you.
2007-02-01 11:12:24 · answer #1 · answered by Joe 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not discrimination. But it is a rather sexist generalisation, and poorly conceived dress code. Best advice for your friend would be to wear a suit like they've requested, albeit for people with shorter hair, and if they challenge him, dont budge. Insist on wearing the suit and not the dress. If they move to discipline him or fire him, then i'm certain (albeit i havent studied employment law yet) he will beable to take them for unfair dismissal based on the fact that their dress code is completely unreasonable.
On the other hand, not so good advice would be to just wear the dress to embarrass the company! and explain to all that its the dress code, and maybe get them to sign a petition hes written against it.
2007-02-01 06:36:18 · answer #2 · answered by Master Mevans 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
regrettably, except this venue gets state or federal money, it may legally refuse to hold your wedding ceremony. there is not any appropriate to be a customer at a company except that employer gets state or federal money. (while they do this, then you particularly can can declare state action and sue below the 14th modification.) This has particularly been happening lots in CA because of the fact the determination making it permissible for homosexuals to marry. Many distributors, which includes florists/bakers/etc. are no longer mushy with the assumption of comparable-intercourse marriages and are refusing the possibility to provider those activities. i think of, in time, they're going to come around. i might say to no longer even waste you funds on a venue that doesn't seem to wish you. that is their loss! Congratulations. Very interesting circumstances!
2016-11-02 01:28:15 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the issues involving discrimination don't just come from Federal but also State laws...you have a local representative from the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in your area.
Contact that them so that they can provide you with not just the federal but also state laws that may help you!
Best wishes!
2007-02-01 04:38:53 · answer #4 · answered by KC V ™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he should keep his hair long and wear a dress. When customers ask him why he's wearing a dress, he can tell them it's company policy. A few calls to the local paper and television stations should change company policy pretty quick.
As to your question, I believe the company policy is legal.
2007-02-01 04:23:53 · answer #5 · answered by mcmustang1992 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An employer can require a dress code. Their written comments are inappropriate and unprofessional though. Tell your friend to wear a kilt, when his employer asks what he thinks he's doing he can tell them its in response to their dress code comments.
2007-02-01 04:23:24 · answer #6 · answered by Amy V 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dress codes and appearance standards are well within the employers rights, epscially in positions where they are serving the public.
2007-02-01 04:28:19 · answer #7 · answered by smedrik 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that this is legal and don't see how he can dictate how someone has their hair unless there are food products involved, even then there are hats/hairnets etc. I think the employer is winding the staff up.
2007-02-01 04:24:22 · answer #8 · answered by Angelfish 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is applied equally probably not. It may take a court case to have an "official" decision with respect to its legality. Of course it should be noted that if your friend is terminated because of this, and decides to sue, he will have a very difficult time proving he was expressly terminated due to this policy.
2007-02-01 04:31:31 · answer #9 · answered by evil_paul 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tell your friend to keep the notice and NOT to erase or delete it. Tell your friend to make a few copies of the notice sent to him and to safeguard them. Then tell him to ignore it but IF he is fired, to RUN with the proof to an attorney specializing in Constitutional Law (or to call the Civil Liberties Union) or in Labor Laws. Tell him that I want a 20% Finder's Fee! BELIEVE ME, I wish I were in his position!
EDITED: I just spoke to my buddy, an attorney, and he wants to know who the person is and his telephone number... hahahaha... my buddy is drooling!
2007-02-01 04:33:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋