Dress codes and appearance
Can I insist upon standards of appearance, such as hairstyle or earrings?
Yes, provided the standards, where possible, are applied equally to men and women and are clearly linked to the requirements of the business. We also encourage you to be sensitive to particular cultural dress requirements.
Can female employees be required to wear skirts or dresses?
No. Not allowing female staff to wear trousers is sex discrimination.
Can I insist that all men be clean shaven and cut their hair short?
Requirements that all employees be clean, neat and tidy that are routinely enforced will be unlikely to be seen as discriminatory. However, a blanket requirement that all male staff be clean shaven may discriminate against some people. For example, some men do not shave in accordance with religious beliefs (eg Sikh men) Similarly, requiring men to keep their hair cut short may result in sex discrimination.
Can I specify that tattoos are not to be shown in the workplace?
Yes, you can in most cases. Tattoos are not specifically covered by equal opportunity laws. However, it is important to note that for some racial groups, tattoos may hold particular cultural significance (eg Maoris).
Can I request that earrings, piercings, rings and other jewellery be removed?
Yes, you can. Any restrictions on the wearing of earrings and other jewellery should be applied equally to both men and women. In limited situations, allowances may need to be made for people who wear adornments of racial or religious significance (eg, nose piercings worn by Indian women, crucifixes worn by Christians).
Related information
Types of discrimination: sex, race
Places of discrimination: employment, education
Dress codes in the workplace
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