After 6 years of employment at the same place, can they change a policy regarding tattoos?
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After 6 years of employment at the same place, can they change a policy regarding tattoos?
I have been working at the same school for 6 years now. I was approached today about a tattoo I have on my ankle and told I need to cover it up (which will bring attention to it). It was never a condition of my hiring and it has never been an issue before today. After 6 years can they make that demand?
Asked on January 31, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Yes, they may make this demand. An employer is entitled to set policies, terms, and conditions for work, including dress codes--and dress codes includes codes about body art, piercings, hygiene, and hair. More, an employer is entitled to change it's policies at will; that is, it is not the case that having once had the policy one way, the employer is now forever locked into it. So even if, for example, tatoos used to be acceptable, they can now say that they are not.
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