Discrimination, Dress Codes

NLRB Administrative Law Judge Rules NLRA Does Not Protect BLM Messaging at Workplace

Fox Rothschild LLP on 6/22/2022

A National Labor Relations Board Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) recently dismissed a complaint against Home Depot USA, Inc., in which the NLRB General Counsel (GC) alleged the company violated the National Labor Relations Act...more

Privacy In The Workplace: Employee Dress Or Appearance Policies

Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson PLLC on 7/23/2021

(This blog is the third installment in a multi-part series regarding privacy in the workplace.) Employee dress codes and policies can be an important way to ensure that employees properly represent the company’s image...more

Best in Law: New 2020 Laws for Employers

Best Best & Krieger LLP on 2/6/2020

Partner Joseph Ortiz Discusses Changes in the Southern California Newspaper Group - For California employers, 2020 brings sweeping changes to equalize the workplace. This playbook of new employment laws — aimed at...more

When Strict Dress Codes Went Out Of Style: The Modernization Of Workwear

Fisher Phillips on 8/31/2018

This modern-day old adage gives one permission to own their own personal style with the utmost confidence—but how does this fit into your work culture? In years past, getting dressed for work was simple. But as time...more

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: a Female Comic Finds Her Voice on Gender Politics in a “Be Pretty” Society

FordHarrison on 7/10/2018

Is it advisable to make decisions based on employees’ physical appearance or to post a “be pretty” rule? Well, of course not. Not only is there zero evidence that physical attractiveness has any correlation to talent or...more

Employee Grooming Policies and the Limits of Title VII

Polsinelli on 5/18/2018

Employers may regulate the length, style, and neatness of employees’ hair in the workplace through so-called grooming policies, unless the hair style is a matter of sincere religious observance posing no more than a minimal...more

New IHRA Amendment on Religious Accommodations: What Does It Mean for Illinois Employers?

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,... on 9/1/2017

A recent amendment (Public Act 100-0100) to the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) makes clear that employers in Illinois may have dress codes or grooming policies for the purposes of maintaining workplace safety or food...more

New California Transgender Regulations: Employer Do's & Don'ts

Ballard Spahr LLP on 7/25/2017

California continues to forge a trail for gender identity protections in the United States. On July 1, 2017, the Fair Employment and Housing Council enacted new regulations addressing transgender issues that broaden the scope...more

Best in Law: What to do to Comply with Transgender Laws - New California Laws Took Effect July 1

Best Best & Krieger LLP on 7/12/2017

California is continuing to be a leader on emerging civil rights issues. Back in 2004, California enacted laws to protect transgender workers. Transgender issues have become a front-burner topic. On the national scene,...more

Dressing for Work in California this Summer

Seyfarth Shaw LLP on 3/22/2017

Seyfarth Synopsis: With summer months almost upon us, here are some dress code tips and tricks for employers to ensure both employee compliance with relaxed summer dress codes and increased employee motivation and morale. We...more

European Court Clarifies Legality of Banning Islamic Headscarves in the Workplace

Littler on 3/21/2017

On March 14, 2017, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“ECJ”) issued a significant ruling clarifying when an employer may prohibit employees from wearing visible signs of their religious beliefs in the workplace. The...more

Employment News - March 2017 #3

Hogan Lovells on 3/21/2017

Last minute decider – incapacity dismissal without considering new evidence was disability discrimination - The Court of Appeal in O'Brien v Bolton St Catherine's Academy has reinstated a Tribunal decision that the...more

Sorry, J-Lo and CeeLo: Real world requires carefully crafted employment dress codes

FordHarrison on 2/15/2017

The Grammys aired on Sunday, February 12, 2017. Every year, audiences tune in to the glamorous awards show to watch the presentation of such celebrated accolades as “Song of the Year” and to take in the live performances of...more

Eleventh Circuit Declines EEOC’s Invitation To Expand Race To Include Personal Expression Or Cultural Characteristics

Seyfarth Shaw LLP on 9/20/2016

Seyfarth Synopsis: After a black woman’s employment offer was rescinded because she refused to cut off her dreadlocks in violation of a company grooming policy, the EEOC sued under Title VII for discrimination on the basis...more

Can You Judge A Book By Its Cover? Adopting And Enforcing Dress Codes And Appearance Policies

Fisher Phillips on 12/7/2015

Many hospitality employers impose strict guidelines on employee appearance, dress, and grooming – and for legitimate reasons. These rules protect your public image, promote a productive work environment, comply with health...more

New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination Does Not Go So Far As To Protect “Weight, Appearance, or Sex Appeal”

Seyfarth Shaw LLP on 9/22/2015

The New Jersey Appellate Division recently affirmed summary judgment for the defense on several claims in the widely-followed “Borgata Babes” case, reining in the plaintiffs’ attempt to expand the New Jersey Law Against...more

Accommodating Dress Codes

Zelle LLP on 6/23/2015

It’s hot outside, and that got us thinking about dress codes. Over the past two weeks, the media has been fascinated with employer dress codes – from Walmart allowing denim to Mayo nixing pantyhose to Abercrombie’s “look...more

BEWARE OF DOG(MA): Did The Supreme Court Just Require Employers to Accommodate Whenever A Request Might Be Due to Religion?

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP on 6/4/2015

The U.S. Supreme Court has issued its long awaited decision in the "Looks Policy" case, and it's not terribly unexpected, but is a little scary considering the potential far reaching effects going forward. ...more

Supreme Court Decides Employers Must Make Religious Accommodations Regardless of Knowledge of Need for Accommodation

Foley Hoag LLP on 6/4/2015

On June 1, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court held, in Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc., that an employer violates federal anti-discrimination law where an applicant’s need for a religious...more

Supreme Court Clarifies Religious Accommodation Requirements in Hijab Case, but May Create New Problems for Unwary Employers

Cozen O'Connor on 6/3/2015

In a decision that came as no major surprise to Supreme Court watchers, on June 1, 2015, the Court ruled 8-1 in EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch that Abercrombie & Fitch violated the civil rights of a Muslim job applicant when it...more

Discrimination › Dress Codes