Can Employer force you to cut your hair or buy new clothes?

Can an employer require physical changes to be made as part of hygiene?
My brother is upset that his employer said he did not have reasonable personal hygiene and recommended asked him to buy new clothes, shoes, and to cut his hair short.

He is clean, does not have body odor, and wears clean clothes to work (jeans and button up shirts they are faded though but not stained). His hair is also not too long. The style is short on the sides with about 3 inches on the top that he combs to the side usually.

He works in a warehouse type environment, they don't have uniforms or dress codes.
Is it legal for them to require him to make such changes.
If not..

PLEASE GIVE ME A LINK TO WHERE I CAN FIND legal DOCUMENTATION!

He makes only 10 an hour, has a kid , and is going through a divorce so he can't afford to buy a whole new wardrobe.
Additional Details
WHERE can i find these Health Department Codes, so that we can check that he is within his legal proximity

oleowl_2000

To a degree, it is up to the employer to establish dress code, - or at least, minimal dress code.

In the case with your brother, he might actually take a much closer look at what he considers good hygiene. If he looks disheveled and unkempt - it is not a very good thing. From your question, I understand that employer *recommended*, but did not *insist* on new wardrobe. It is not illegal to offer advice, is it? Essentially, he did your brother a favor by suggesting ways in which he could look more like an employable adult. I would isten to that.

If I understand his hairstyle, it is a bit weird for an adult in the workforce. Is it what Donald Trump wears on his head?

Emasculated Britain

Yes an employer can make reasonable demands on dress and grooming issues.

JessMix

if it breaks the company's dress code, they can.

Love Canada

He doesn't have to do anything, at his new job they will understand.

Straight is Great!

A mature employee that needs a job would not only want to please their employer, they would want to put their best foot forward. he employee that strives to do their best is the employee that is the one rewarded with raises, advancements and excellent work references.

No one needs or wants a belly aching whiner. Tell your brother to man up, millions of Americans are losing their jobs daily!

Michael L

well if they have certain dress code. But otherwise they have no control

Melanie J

my employer made me take out my eyebrow ring, wouldnt even let me wear a bandaid on it. i as well have reasonable hygeine, but the union said that if my attire didn't match the health departments code it had to change

mekounknown

Well... your last edit summed it up.

If it doesn't violate any of the labour or health and safety codes, then it falls under the employers dress code. They do have some sort of code in place (ie, no baggy pants, steel toed boots, etc) If he is concerned he is being discriminated against, try to watch out for what others are wearing and see if its just him.

Beware though, he is not protected by a union, then he is at will and can be fired at anytime. Its probably best to get the hair cut, buy new boots, and follow their rules.

rememberthecole

Many companies have a dress code. IBM had a suit dress code for years. If you want to work for the company, read their policy manual and see if they have a dress code and what it is. If you can not live with it, do not take the job.

As far as hair and etc, if the company deals with food in any manner, they can have pretty strict standards. At the very least they can make you wear a hat or hair net to keep the hair under control.

Unless your brother lives in Montana, he is in an "at will" employment state and can be fired for pretty much anything or nothing. As long as the company complies with state and federal law, there is not much your brother can do about it. He either complies or he gets fired.

the giver

to the hair yes depending on the occupation but there are certain loopholes around that wearing a hat or hairnet.....it depends on the state though but really its just about looking good for business im sure.....

Grace S

I dont know about legally but I'm pretty sure an employer can make their employies look respectable... but he doesnt seem to make much so i dont know why they would be making him change so much... if he worked at someplace fancy that required a certain look, i guess...

I would say no and the only reason he could have a right to say that would be if ur brother didn't wear appropriate clothes for work. But from what u say it seems like he does.

Kimmy25

Poor guy! If their handbook does not specify the employee wear certain clothes or have their hair a certain length - then it is illegal for them to tell him to buy new clothes/cut his hair. The very best things you can do, is to contact a local lawyer so they can give you feedback from what is/is not illegal in your area.

Travis

you should check into the "rules" the company might have .

hakimhusein

....

AlZil S

I think hair and clothes is not a bother unless theirs a uniform, but no they shouldn't judge some one for their hair or clothing (even cultural clothing)

If it goes outta hand, take it to the union to be honoust

Mojoe O

thats very rude

i dont think hes allowed
hope everything works out well

gob bless:)

Brawler8247

Can an employer require you to wear business casual clothes to and from work, when you change into the required uniform at the workplace everyday? i.e a nurse wears hospital scrubs at work and changes there.

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