The workplace has become increasingly casual. There is no longer a requirement for Virgin Atlantic’s female cabin crew to wear makeup and skirts. Office workers wear shoes and fleece vests. The staff at Goldman Sachs can now wear khakis instead of suits. Do casual dress codes allow braless attire?
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Is It Mandatory To Wear A Bra At Work?
According to legal experts, the answer is yes and no. Employers can enforce dress codes. In the workplace, clothes do more than looking good. They convey a message. You may be prohibited from wearing blue jeans by your boss. Consistency is the key to enforcing the dress code.
Employers must be careful when dictating exactly how employees comply in the battle between bras and free-range breasts, said Susan Scafidi, founder and academic director of the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham University.
Gender-specific dress codes can exist. An employer can mandate that female employees wear analogous business attire if men must wear suits and ties, says Jeffrey Kimmel, a partner at Akerman. Ideally, your boss should have a gender-neutral dress code that specifies bodily areas that must be covered. Dress codes become a legal gray area without clear rules.
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This Can Be Raised Without Discrimination
They can say privately, “In general, we aspire to professionalism, and while I respect your right to wear whatever suits your needs in doing that job, this may undercut your professional appearance with colleagues and clients.”