What is “appropriate” work appearance? Do you have the right to tell employees what to wear? This has become a sometimes volatile issue. Employees wear message in support of “social justice” issues such as “Black Lives Matter” and others wear contrary views. Opposing political message on buttons, hats, shirts, or COVID masks generate arguments, and complaints by customers. States are adopting “hair style discrimination” and “personal appearance rights” laws. The laws are changing, and increasing – FAST! How much can an employer dictate styles of dress, hair, perfume or jewelry? When do company appearance rules become discriminatory or violate employees’ legal rights? Employers are often shocked to find they have gone over the line. Sometimes that shock costs dearly in legal fees and damages. This program will cover the practical and legal issues of the current trends in workplace appearance, and what you should and shouldn’t do about them.
This serious subject is presented with humor and down-to-earth examples and advice by an attorney who has helped companies throughout the United States effectively address issues of an ever-changing workplace.
- What are an employer’s rights to regulate employee appearance?
- What is the legal foundation on dress codes, health, safety and an employee’s right to determine what is “appropriate” appearance?
- The legal problems concerning discrimination (sex, race and national origin), religion and privacy rights concerning appearance.
- Can you allow employees to wear some social issue messaging yet ban other social issues messages?
- “How to” properly address appearance issues from body odor, clothing and hairstyle to piercings.
- What is “good appearance?”
- Creating dress code policies.
This serious subject is presented with humor and down-to-earth examples and advice by an attorney who has helped companies throughout the United States effectively address employee appearance issues in an ever-changing workplace.