Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Texas

can my employer force me to wear make-up?

If the employee manual states that an employee will dress in appropriate ''business and professional attire'', does this include the wearing of makeup by the females? My supervisor hired me knowing that I do not wear makeup and even questioned me as to why. One year later, it was written in my review, ''she needs to start wearing makeup and change her hairstyle''. I dress appropriately in business office clothes, fix my hair, and am clean. 1.5 yrs after hiring me, my supervisor informed me another employee had been sent home to get ''made up'' and that I needed to go home and put on makeup. I said that he could not make me wear makeup and he yelled at me that I needed to bring a note from my doctor. I asked where in the policy it stated I had to wear makeup and he said ''business and professional attire''. After leaving, I went to the main office where I was told by the ''second in command'' that it was not in the policy. I asked what the definition of ''business and professional attire'' is, and he said it is not in the manual. Is this considered a form of sexual harassment or a violation of my civil rights?


Asked on 12/23/02, 8:07 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Trang Tran Tran Law Firm L.L.P.

Re: can my employer force me to wear make-up?

Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the work place based on sex. If the employer requires that female employees wear makeup and does not impose that same makeup regime on male employees, common sense indicates that employer is treating female employees in a disparte maner and may be in violation of Title VII.

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Answered on 12/23/02, 8:18 pm


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