Appearance In The Workplace: Can It Be Regulated By The Employer?

The legality and enforceability of policies that attempt to regulate a person's appearance have recently garnered much media attention. Recent headlines have focused on dress codes in the public school system; however, much of the discussion applies to similar policies in the workplace. The burning question in the minds of many employers is: can I regulate the appearance of my employees in my workplace? The answer, of course, is dependent on a number of factors.

Workplace policies may attempt to regulate appearance in many ways, from requiring employees to wear a uniform, implementing a dress code, regulating personal grooming, and/or prohibiting visible body piercings and/or tattoos.