Dress Code Discrimination

Abstract

The student is writing about dress codes in the workplace. The essay contains information that pertains to the subject and personal opinion of the subject. The student evaluates news information that is relative to the subject and gives different examples go along with the full opinion.

DRESS CODE IN THE WORKPLACE 3

In most workplaces today, there are implied dress codes. However, do organizations have the right to enforce dress codes? In fact, dress codes tend to brew up some controversy against employees or potential employees and the employer at times. In strong honest opinions, it is highly fair for employees to tell their employees how to dress or groom and there are a few good understandable reasons

Hooters get a lot of business not only because their food is good but because the customers enjoy the view that Hooters offers. Not all dress codes are in the best interest of the employee rather for the employer or its business. In some cases, if employers are not careful they could imply the wrong dress code and face lawsuits. For example, in Ontario, Toronto there were three cases of dress code discrimination. Several women that worked at either a restaurant or bar spoke out about the required or revised dress code at the place of employment. "Human rights experts say bar and restaurant dress codes requiring female employees to wear revealing attire could be a potential discrimination issue, but not many people file formal human rights complaints about it" (Associated Press, 2016). The issue has been an ongoing investigation of the Ontario Human Rights Commission for years. The first case was in 2013 when Ashley McKenna filed a lawsuit against her employer Local Heroes. Local Heroes dress code was revised in 2011 and it required employees to wear form-fitting shirts. McKenna was not comfortable with the dress code because she was pregnant and said that the shirt was revealing to much of her baby bump. The manager agreed that McKenna did not have to wear the shirt however, after a couple of shifts she was terminated. McKenna won the case and Local Heroes was ordered to pay her a total of $19,848. The

Even with decent dress codes, employers may still find themselves close to trouble if they aren't careful. Another example, Electrolux is a warehouse in Memphis that is on average a big company. There are over 1,200 employees that work there and the proper attire is highly expected for the employees. The dress code consists of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which is, cut resistant arm sleeves, cut resistant gloves, steel toe boots, and protective eyewear. PPE is highly required before entering the working or employees are unable to work. This is to protect the employee and the employer in the event an employee gets injured due to not wearing their PPE. The proper clothing dress code at Electrolux is jeans, full t-shirts that cover the bust area and that come close to the elbow, no hanging clothing or jewelry, and hair has to be pulled back into a pony tail. The dress code has been in effect since the company opened in 2011 however, it seems to be hard for some employees to follow the guidelines. Recently, a female employee wore a low cut shirt that showed off her cleavage. Her supervisor told her that she could not wear the shirt because it was too revealing. Since he tried to keep from sending her home he offered her a company shirt to wear for the rest of the day. Two days after, another female employee under the same supervisor came in with a revealing shirt on and at that point the supervisor felt that it was