Can my employer require me to cover my tattoos?
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Can my employer require me to cover my tattoos?
My employer has recently decided that managers need to cover their tattoos. It is not being required of any other employees. There is nothing in the dress code or handbook mentioning tattoos at all. So myself and 1 other manager are now being told that we have to cover our tattoos on our arms nothing offensive or in appropriate but no employees working below us are being required to cover tattoos. Some of those being on their necks or hands. Is this legal? Is this discrimination? Is this something that we legally should not have to follow because it is not being applied to
all employees consistently?
Asked on February 15, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Texas
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
The fact is that not all workers need be treated the same (or even fairly). Unless it constitutes some form of legally actionable discrimination. In other words, unless less favorable treatment is due to a worker's race, religion, age (over 40), disability or the like, then it is legal. The fact is that most employment relationships are "at will", which means that a company can set the conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit. This includes having managers cover up their tattoos. If this policy is unacceptable to you, you can refuse to comply with it but risk termination, or quit.
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