Hired then Fired with Piercings
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Hired then Fired with Piercings
I was hired as a receptionist in July. During the interview process I asked if my piercings were OK, my boss said it was fine is SHOULDN’T be an issue. It is now May and I am JUST being addressed to take out my piercings by my boss supervisor or else i will be fired. Thing is I have been working and associating with HR, Training’s, My boss and his supervisor and not once did they say anything before. Isn’t there some kind legal action I can do? it’s so unfair and I refuse to take them out. In Nov I signed in an agreement of dress code amongst other things yet I still was not addressed
Asked on May 24, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
As general rule, a business can set the conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit. This includes putting in place dress and appearance policies. That having been said, if your piercings have religous significance, then the company cannot bar them. That having been said, if an otherwise permissable rule is enforced in a discriminatory manor, then that would not be permissible. For example, if your piercings had to be removed but someone of another race or religion, etc. could keep their piercings, that may constitute legally actionable discrimination. Also, if you have protection against this action under the terms of an employment contract or union agreement, then you could keep them. Finally, dress/apearance codes can generally be changed "at will" by an employer, so what was once acceptable can be changed to nowunacceptable.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.