Male drivers forced to wear ties - isn't this a safety hazard? 09-07-2005

The Director of our transportation dept. has asked that all Supervisors wear a tie and dress in "office attire." Yet the Director has allowed 5 male Supervisors to dress in casual attire and blue jeans without ties. The Director also allows the women Supervisors to dress in shorts and wear flip-flops. Doesn't this type of favoritism fall under the "sex discrimination act"? Having rules for men and not for woman? And making some wear a tie and allowing others to wear what they want?

I've also pointed out the fact that wearing a tie in regards to my profession causes a safety issue. I train and drive a school bus, the tie often gets in the way of the steering wheel causing a potential safety hazard. There is nothing in our contract that states anything about a dress code. Do they have the right to enforce this?

Rita Risser replies:

This is not sex discrimination because some men are exempt from the requirement. In addition, dress codes generally are not considered a substantial term or condition of employment so even if men and women were treated differently, it does not rise to the level of illegal discrimination. As far as wearing a tie on a bus being a safety hazard, a court would probably say that is what a tie clasp is for.

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