Category: Dress Code

Introduction

Do you feel that schools take in what is best for the boys and not the girls? It seems like the school board and faculty care more about their education than ours. This is wrong because the girl students get dress coded on a daily basis, but when the male students do it they get away with it. Therefore its biased, and it’s happening all over the United States. While school dress codes across the United States are getting really strict, the codes are biased against female students to prevent boys from being distracted during school.

Why does what we wear distract guys? For example, we can’t wear shirts that show our shoulders. Because in the eyes of the administration, if a boy gets a glimpse of a girl’s shoulder it might distract them from working. We cannot wear shorts or tights either. If we wear shorts they have to go to our knees, like the boys athletic shorts.And if I wear tights, we have to wear a long shirt to cover our butt because it takes away from the boy’s learning. What us girls really don’t understand is why they are worried about what we wear? I understand that not everything should be worn to school, but they don’t realize that the guys could be mature. Honestly, a guy is going to look at us no matter what we wear.

The teachers and faculty at school are taking away our learning time by pulling us outclass for dress code. If we wear a pair of jeans with rips or holes and there’s a little hole above the knee, we will get dress coded for it. We also will often get dress coded for shorts not being the right length, or shirts that you can see our shoulders on. They feel the need to take us out of class to either go change or go home and get more clothes, If you can’t or refuse to change then you go sit in ISS. They Shouldn’t be allowed to dress code after a certain number of periods because it’s hard for some of the girls to go and change when they don’t drive, they don’t have extra clothes, or their parents work and can’t get off.

Why are we pointed out for hair color, earrings, facial hair, hats, and tattoos? The male students can’t have facial hair or earrings, but these days some guys would like to be themselves and that’s what they want. The only things the guys really get in trouble for is their hats. Most of them wear a hat to keep their hair down or just because they would like to wear a hat. They say it’s disrespectful but we don’t see how or why. The majority of the boys still wear hats until they are told to take them off. The guys also cannot wear a headband which in our opinion is so dumb because it’s just a headband. What’s the reason they cannot wear a headband? The girls on the other hand cannot die their hair unless it’s a natural color. Therefore, if they want pink or purple or any other color they can’t because its against school policy so they are not able to express themselves through their hair.

Schools now are beginning to get really strict on their dress codes and it’s starting to really affect how we dress. Therefore it’s really hard to find something in dress code to wear to school. But for the male students they can wear just about anything and everything without getting dress coded. This is why it’s biased against girls.

Another thing is the guys can’t have facial hair, which is understandable if you play a sport, but it’s still the fact that they can’t grow their facial hair out because its against school policy or their coach won’t allow it if you play a certain sport. One other thing is piercings, which concerns girls and boys. The girls can have piercings but they have to take them out when playing a sport and same goes for the guys. Most schools won’t even allow a guy to have piercings. If they have piercings then they will make them take them out or they will go to ISS until they do take them out. Although we can have tattoos, they are to be covered or hidden where they cannot be seen.

I have interviewed some girls and gotten their opinion on the dress code situation. First was Laela Livick and she said that the dress code was ridiculous because of the fact that it’s really hard to find jeans with no holes or to wear a shirt with your shoulders covered. Those are the clothes that are in style right now, so it’s hard to find clothes that meet the entire school dress code. It’s hard to dress cute for school if we can’t wear certain clothes.

The boys can almost wear whatever; and even though they are out of dress code they do not get in trouble like we do. Therefore we feel it’s biased since we are getting dress coded for every little thing, but the guys get away with everything even if they’re out of dress code.

If you ask Tanner, my brother, he will not really care because he wears shorts and a hat on a daily basis. Some schools on the other hand cannot. Which sucks because they feel like they can’t express themselves. So many schools across the United States have different dress codes. My brother’s school, for example, can’t wear piercings, sandals, or colored hair. He goes to Oglesby in Texas, which isn’t far from moody.

Anyways, the dress codes nowadays are ridiculous. We are not able to express ourselves through our clothing or hair because of the fact that it’s against the student handbook and we signed it at the beginning of the school year.However most schools have uniforms, or a really strict dress code. The dress code is biased because they dress code girls way more than the guys. And we feel that we are the only ones getting punished for it.

What do you think, should public schools have school uniforms or a standard dress code? This has been a long debated question and I have to say that there are pros and cons to both sides. In my opinion, I believe that we should use a standard dress code so that we teach our children to take pride in what they wear and how they represent themselves.

Some advantages of having school uniforms would be; that students are unable to compare themselves to each other by what they wear due to a family’s income, this would require less monitoring for the staff daily and every child would look nice while representing their school. The negative side to school uniforms would be; students not being able to express who they are with how they dress, not being able to wear what they are in the mood for, and then wearing the same outfit as their peers.

When it comes to having a dress code, students would be able to express themselves with their different styles and taste but we could still hold them to a standard that is appropriate for a public setting. Our students can then take that knowledge out into the real-world setting when they become adults and pursue careers. A few of the disadvantages would be that our teachers would need to monitor students’ clothing daily and some families have more money than others, which can cause conflict as students compete with who has the better outfit.

I believe that having a dress code over a school uniform would be the most favorable choice. Regardless, the main goal should be on how students properly care for themselves, and what can they learn and take with them as adults.

I believe we should change the school’s dress code. Some things on it don’t make a lot of sense. There are quite a few things that should not be on there. You should be allowed to be comfortable at school and not have to worry about breaking a dress code rule.

You should be allowed to wear hats/hoods/bandanas. Lots of teachers would agree wearing a hood is quite disrespectful, but what exactly is disrespectful about it? Do teachers think they won’t pay attention in class? Do teachers think they’ll sleep in class? Hoods can be more comforting to students and make them feel cozier. Others say they use their hood as a security blanket, I think that is perfectly fine. Some days students feel different and don’t feel well so they put their hood on to feel better. I do that all the time at home and it does help me concentrate on something I am doing. Bandanas should not be banned. Bandanas could be a cultural thing for a person, you can’t take them away from that. They should be able to express their culture respectfully and not have to be shamed by it. Another thing is the hats. Hats can be very comforting in school, weather conditions are a thing. If it’s cold out, that person might want to wear a hat. Some get cold during school and might need to wear hats, too. Of course, when they do the morning pledge they must remove those hats or hoods.

Another thing we should change is backless/off-the-shoulder tops. There’s nothing wrong with shoulders or backs. I’ve heard people say it’s a rule because shoulders or backs are “distracting” but what’s distracting about them? People should be able to wear whatever they want without having to deal with people shaming them. If someone’s distracted from their shoulders they should be the ones to get in trouble, not the person wearing the clothes. Also, when it gets warmer out people will want to wear those types of tops. You should respect someone no matter what they wear. Fashion can also express someone in their unique way and that should not be shamed by the school.

Bra straps are another thing that is banned and I think they shouldn’t be. Some tops can show a girl’s bra strap or it could be a total accident sometimes and they would get in trouble, I don’t think that is right. Bra’s are something girls are supposed to wear if they want to and it shouldn’t be something the school should ban. Girls can’t help it sometimes. There is also nothing inappropriate about bra straps, I think it’s a little childish if someone thinks bra straps are inappropriate.

There are some things in my argument that have downsides, though. For example, a kid doesn’t remove their hat or hood during the pledge. I think kids should get in trouble if they continue not respecting the flag, they should lose their privilege of being able to wear hats or hoods.

These are just a few rules I think should be changed. Other than that, I think the list of things on the dress code is sensible. How they handle the dress code should be changed, too. I don’t think it’s okay for teachers to call you out in front of the class, they should do it in private.

Dress code has been a controversial statement for the last couple of years but where did it all start? In the 1966 State of the Union address, President Clinton called on American schools to require uniforms to ensure the safety of school children. Although some schools complied with this suggestion, many schools felt this was too extreme of a measure and began to implement school dress codes.

Nowadays dress codes have come so far that students are not able to express freely their way of thinking, feeling, or opinions. A school in Giles, Tennessee told a girl she could not wear a shirt with a pro-LGBT message on it as it might provoke other students and make her a target. This is an example of a lack of freedom of speech so it’s not even about if the skirt is too short or “you are showing too much skin” but about the student’s sexual identity and their way of feeling. As the ACLU points out, a landmark case dating back to 1969 upholds students ‘ right to freedom of speech through what a student chooses to wear.

Today in the world only 7% of people are Atheist which means that they do not believe in any kind of religion 93% of the world’s population is either born into a religion or grows into one but when it comes to showing what you’re proud of in a school nowadays it has become harder and harder. According to the website “Love to Know” By Amy Guertin, she says; “several students have had to fight for their right to wear a pentagram, the symbol for the Wiccan religion, to school.” a great example of this is Nashala Hearn who was suspended from school twice for wearing her hijab, with school officials claiming the hijab did not conform with dress code policy.

These are only two reasons out of many about how strict and even degrading some rules of dress code can be. Schools are starting to become so strict that they have to apply some rules to even not give the students the freedom to think and believe whatever they want which are basic human rights. Some have even come to light some cases that have to do with sexism towards girls blaming them for a boy’s way of thinking and if they cannot keep it in their pants “It was the girl’s fault, she knew what she was doing” but not only that but they even want to ban t-shirts that show how proud you’re for loving freely any gender you want or ban your believes or better say the things that make you, you.

We all agree that the way people dress has a complex relationship with their identities. People’s social status, gender, class, and religion can be expressed through the pieces they wear or the things they put on their bodies. Regarding what we try to present to people, others might not be able to read the message we reflect on ourselves through the clothing we wear because those fabrics do not directly ‘speak’ for us. Identities can be judged by appearances and yet, can also be misread into something else. Especially, when living in a modern city, without “tradition or established patterns for recognizing others” (Entwistle, J. 2000, pp.112), it is even harder for us to ‘read’ a person from his or her dressing in just a few seconds of glancing. Anonymity makes people mostly place their judgment or analysis upon how others look. As a result, in the 19th century, there were two contradicting ideas of fashion and identity developing: one is that someone’s character can be seen from their appearance provoked by the curiosity of people wanting to know the authenticity of others; and in opposed to discovering the truth behind people, an alternative desire formed along which is to hide or disguise oneself through fashion, to create identity anonymization. (Entwistle, J. 2000, pp.113) The two opposing ideas can be seen in Dandyism and The Romantic style. The dandy style was an older aristocratic way of dressing and it was about looking stylish and distinguished, the ladder was closer to our contemporary culture, which emphasizes individuality, expressing and representing the true self.

In the world of nature, animals can change their appearances under different circumstances, such as to attract and avoid other animals, or to camouflage themselves to fit in the environment. It is inevitable that as human beings, we attempt to control the way we look to make good impressions, to enhance our appearances or even status, or to make ourselves belong to a certain group. We have all sorts of fitness programs, diets, cosmetics, plastic surgeries, and fashion objects. These are all possible accesses for people to change their appearances and create identities. According to Entwistle (2000), our idea to create an identity is being affected by locations, classes, and cultural communities. The way we dress is a representation of our backgrounds and individual desires. Joanne Entwistle (2000) in her book Fashioned Body quotes: “Fashions are bonds that link individuals in a mutual act of conformity to social conventions” (Finkelstein, 1991, pp. 112). Starts here today

Why imitate as well as differ??

People want to be accepted by a group of people who share similar ideas, values, and lifestyles. They want to be a member of a certain community. In the meantime, they also have the desire to look different from others. That is why people tend to wear something different to build their individuality.

The expansion of industrialization in the 19th century is where an unmeasurably massive number of populations arrived in the capitals of Europe. Countless peasants moved to London to look for work. The cities got more and more crowded and busy. At this point, fashion flourished hence impressions and judgments followed up. People are concerned about how they read others and being read by others. The pressure of being accepted and fitting in a certain group and the opportunity to stand out from a certain group were formed during the high growth of consumption. “Problems arise when the world of objects outstrips individuals’ attempts to come to terms with it; when subjects do not appropriate objects in ways that relate to their projections but confront the world as alien.” (Entwistle, J. 2000, pp.116)

How does fashion articulate identities? how are they deployed to mark out distinctions? How does the body become the carrier of social status?

Entwistle argues in “Modernity: Imitation and Differentiation” (Entwistle, J. The Fashioned Body, 2000, pp.117), that if one item or look is fashionable or described as ‘trendy or hip’, it differs from mainstream fashion and once it becomes commonly adopted, it is no longer a trend.

When talking about ‘differentiation’, Fashion can be used as a tool to identify or differentiate a particular group. Contemporary dressing code relies on the cultural norm.

It was the first day of middle school and I walked to the steps of RSGC. I was fully dressed in our school uniform, with a white long-sleeve dress shirt, an RSGC tie, grey dress pants, dress shoes, and black socks. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, judges and teachers, Today I will brief about a debate that is ongoing with students for centuries in Canada of whether are not school uniforms are beneficial.

A large number of people say that school uniforms are beneficial for us students. School uniforms are effective because they make it easier to get ready for school, some people say. Due to this, students can easily find their uniforms instead of searching for their most preferred clothes. Since some time is saved, they will most likely get to school on time. Others also say that school uniforms separate the poor from the rich, decrease bullying and teasing and they also promote school spirit. Instead of spending countless amounts of money on casual clothing, parents can use some of that money on buying uniforms for their kids instead. When everyone is dressed the same, no peer pressure would be added when it comes to their clothes. It doesn’t show whether you are rich nor poor. There also wouldn’t be any competition of being dressed up in the most modern trend. According to Atlas Infinity, schools actually claim that when students come to school in uniforms, they improve on discipline and kids are gaining academically as well.

Believe it or not, according to debate.org, (a website that allows you to express your thoughts on whether or not something is beneficial or not, which in this case, it would be about uniforms) forty-four percent of people say that uniforms are beneficial while an amazing fifty-six percent of people say that it isn’t advantageous. These people say that it isn’t favorable because it doesn’t allow their kids to show their personality and to express their thoughts which is usually through fashion. Some people also say that school uniforms are very expensive and some parents might not be able to afford them so they can only buy one or two pairs. Then, when the kids get home from school, the parents and/or their kids will have to wash the uniform to wear the next day which will take up valuable time that could have been used for homework, playtime, or even rest. However, the biggest issue of school uniforms that has been addressed so far is that they cause discomfort, mentally and physically. Some kids might have allergies to certain materials and the uniform might feel tight and/or rigid to them. This can increase their temper and can also affect their learning as well. They might also think that when walking home in their uniform, kids from other schools might make fun of them and start bullying him/her. This can lead to depression and lack of sleep.

Introduction

Every organization has a certain dress code that has been established to allow employees to work at ease in the office. Employees have to be dressed in a professional way that depicts the work they do. This dress code should project a professional image to the business clients and the society. Not all casual clothing is appropriate for the office. Every organization should have a clear guideline of what is acceptable and what is not acceptable in the office. Dress codes differ according to the work place for example there are certain clothing that work well for dance clubs, beach, and sports which may not be suitable for an office setting. Companies change employee’s dress codes from time to time if they feel that the present dress code is not appealing to every one especially to employees, customers, and community. For example clothing that disclose to a great extent the chest, back, feet or underwear is not suitable for an office setting or a business environment. Clothing should be well pressed, all seams finished, with words or pictures that are not offensive. Some companies persuade employees to dress in clothing that has the company’s emblem or wear uniforms. This paper will look at the different types of dress codes, explain why women feel it is unfair to be restricted from wearing nice work pants and gives some of the strategies to be adapted by the company while introducing the new dress codes. It will also give the expected outcome of the change in dress code.

Types of Dress Codes

Basically there are three types of business attire; Business casual, Professional Dress, and Campus casual. Business Casual is not common in a professional business or an office setting but can be found in a semi-conservative workplace. It comprise of a shirt with collar, dress paints and nice shoes for ladies. The dress paints should be of knee-length or longer. For men, it consist of shirt (collared or pollo), good shoes and pants without a tie. Professional dress code emerges to be the top most traditionalist type of (business) wear. It is common in finance office, accounting office or other conservative business environments. Sometimes employees are forced to wear professional because of the conservative employers who have hired them (Heathfield, p. 1). A professional dress for ladies covers a suit (pants or skirt) whereas for men it encompass (business) suit and a tie.

Campus casual refer to the clothing that one puts on during his/her leisure time. It comprise of jeans, sneakers, tee shirts among others. Campus casual can be worn under certain circumstances in the work place for example in casual networking events (Heathfield, p. 2). Before the management of a company decides which dress code should be worn at work, it is good to understand the work environment. It may decide to change women’s dress code if women are wearing offensive paints or are exposing a great part of their bodies to the public. The best way to ensure that women put on dresses that appeal to everyone is to put a restrain on the dress codes. The change of a dress code policy is deemed to upset some employees.

Why Women Feel the New Dress Code is Unfair

The reason for changing a dress code policy is to ensure that employees dress appropriately to the work place. Many people have no ethics or morals and would like to dress in an offensive manner to attract everyone’s attention. A change in a dress code that prohibits women from wearing paints is likely to upset most of the female workers and more so if men are allowed to wear casually. Women feel more comfortable in paints than in dresses and may feel offended if they are not allowed to put them on. However, if allowed to put them on some may wear tight pants which show a bad image of the company. The fact that the company allows men to wear casual attire is a clear indication the business is not of conservative type. The change in rules may have been introduced by one of the authorities for his or her personal taste. It can also be because of a conservative boss who has a negative attitude towards ladies’ pants. Rules should not be imposed out of personal gratification but should be for the good of all the stakeholders. Before changing the dress code, it is always good to summon all employees and allow them to give their personal views concerning the whole issues. If majority agree to the changes, then the new code should be introduced.

Company Resistance

The company may be resistant to the women complaints because there was a reason for introducing the new dress code. Most likely women were taking the advantage of being allowed to wear paints to the extent of wearing tight and inappropriate paints to the office. Male workers will look good in any output they put on and that’s the reason they have been allowed to wear casual attire. If women are allowed to wear campus attire to the office, they are likely to wear offensive clothing. According to the company, the only way to ensure that women put on office attire was to prohibit pants no matter how smart or nice they appeared to be. This is not the only organization that has introduced such as dress code. They are many all over the world that feels that women should wear dresses of knee-length or longer with moderate slits. They not only look professional but also well glommed.

Strategies to be Implemented

Change of a dress code is the first step in improving the performance of a business. Many employees think that they look good in their present dress code and may be reluctant to change. There are some tips that can make the transition easy and boost employees’ morale. First step is to consider employees turnover because it drains more income than customer dissatisfaction. If the change in dress code will result in increased employee turnover, then it is good to ignore it. Is the change in dress code a business concern or a personal interest of one of the leaders? Superiors should not be permitted to make illogical decision because it may influence employee’s performance. If the change is a consequence of a definite problem, it is better to deal with the problem itself other than altering rules on the dress code. Not all employees will dress in an offensive manner and it is appropriate to talk one on one with the employee who is offending the others than starting a new dress code. However, if there are frequent complaints from customers, employees or the community concerning the general appearance of the company’s employees, it is wise to introduce a new dress code (Marth, p. 5).

Employees concern should be addressed with sympathy. They should be allowed to address their complaints to the person responsible for introducing the change. This can raise their morale and respond positively to the change. If the company wants to change the whole policy, it is recommended to consider ways that will develop employees’ appearance without radically altering their individual expression. Some employees may have some aspects of their clothing that they cannot change for various reasons (Marth, p. 6). For example, some employees may not go to work without pants because of some abnormality in their body of which they feel uncomfortable with if exposed. Superiors should take their time and speak one on one with such employees and look for a solution to their problems.

Before the dress code is set up, a gathering should be held for all the workers concerned. An in-depth explanation of the new code should be given and use of derogatory language should be avoided. The reasons for introducing the new dress code should be addressed.

Outcomes

Although most of the female workers are likely to complain about the change in new dress code, they will adapt it within a very short period of time. However, not all employees respond positively to a change in the dress code. Five female were reported to have resigned from their job because of a change in the dress code. The employees were news presenters on the Qatar-based Al Jazeera television channel. “The women handed in their notice after repeated criticism from a top company official for allegedly not being conservative enough in their dress” (Baxter, p. 2). Change of dress codes is common in most organization which often upset the parties involved but with time they get acquitted to it. I will urge the management to give employees ample time to adjust to the change because it will require extra cash to buy new cloths. Two months will be enough for resolving the complaints.

Conclusion

Every organization has its own guidelines on the dress code depending on the kind of business it is involved. A dress code for a night club will definitely not be appropriate for an office setting. For an office setting, dresses should be well pressed and all seems made properly. The dress code should appeal to fellow employees, customers, and the community. The kind of dress code used in the business settings differs from company to company and may be influenced by superiors’ preference. Denying women their right to wear paints while allowing males to wear casual attire is unfair to the women. They should be allowed to wear paints but with certain restriction.

The reason for changing a dress code policy is to ensure that employees dress appropriately to the work place. Before introducing a new dress code, it is always good to summon all parties that will be affected and give them room for self expression. If the change is as a result of personal issues, then it is better to deal with the problem other than enacting rules that affect everyone.

References

1. Baxter, Elsa. “Al Jazeera female staff quit over dress code.” Arabianbusiness, 2010.
2. Heathfield, Susan M. “Dress for Work Success: A Business Casual Dress Code.” About.com, 2010.
3. Marth, Arthur. R. “Tips for introducing a new dress code policy.” helium, 2002.

Summary of the claim

Jessica is an employee of Tasty and high heels are part of her uniform. The women do not want to wear them as they cause discomfort and pain in the foot. The work of the waiters requires constant movement and walking, which further exacerbates the situation. Besides, such a uniform makes her feel that women in cafes are valued and respected less than men by both managers and clients. However, Jessica is required to comply with the dress code, which states “female waitresses are required to wear heeled shoes at all times during working hours.”. For this reason, Jessica intends to bring a tribunal claim because of the uniform policy. This claim is supposedly a case of gender discrimination.

Background

Jessica has been working in Tasty as a waitress for two months already. Every waitress has to work at least 8 hours a shift during which she crosses the hall dozens of times from the kitchen to the customers’ table to bring them food. This work is tiring for legs, and also the Tasty policy forces all female waitresses to wear heels during the shift, which makes their legs even more tired. At the same time, only women have a piece of their uniform that brings their inconvenience and pain. Also, their dress code consists of a medium-length skirt, hats, and blouses.

Jessica complained to her manager Mr. Gate that it was difficult for her to work in heels all day, and this part of the uniform should not be mandatory for females. The manager, in turn, replied that heels are part of the dress code that complements the image of the waitresses and attracts customers. All employees must abide by the dress code, and if they do not wish to do so, they will be suspended or fired. Jessica also told the manager that low-running shoes are more comfortable for long shifts as that doesn’t harm people’s legs, and women also feel defiant when wearing high heels. However, the manager did not respond to the comment and told Jessica to return to work.

Legal Issues

The main legal issue, in this case, is a working dress code, as well as methods and measures for its adjustment. In the 1979 case of Schmidt v, Austicks Bookshops Limited set a precedent for the employer having the right to require a dress code at work, and it should not be identical for men and women, since specific features can be different (Cave, 2016). In addition, the Equality Act of 2010 also permits a dress code that distinguishes corporate culture or is necessary for the safety of employees or customers. Also, a uniform can be different for men and women if it does not have elements that emphasize gender discrimination or treats one group more favored than another. The employee also can be dismissed for not following the dress code.

However, this legislation does not prohibit high heels, the obligatory wearing of skirts for women, or makeup. The 2018 Government Directive made several recommendations that say to avoid gender-specific elements, including makeup, skirts, manicures, or hairstyles (Government Equalities Office, 2018).

The Directive also notes, “A dress code could be unlawful, for example, if it requires female employees to wear high heels, with all the discomfort and inherent health issues these can cause, because it treats women less favored than men” (Government Equalities Office, 2018, 3). In addition, the Human Rights Act 1998, especially 9 and 10 of the article, also indirectly refers to the dress code as they support the freedom of thought, consciousness, and expression (Nath, Bach, and Lockwood, 2016, p. 14). Consequently, the primary legal issue is the relevance of the uniform policy and gender discrimination associated with it.

Factors Need to be Considered in the Case

The main factors that need to be considered for this case are the mandatory wearing of high heels for females, the discomfort that they cause, the presence of other elements of the uniform that sexualize the image, as well as the punishment for not following the dress code. High heels are part of an image that emphasizes the sexuality of a person’s body and can only be entirely appropriate in some specific institutions (Fenton, 2016).

In another case, the sexualization of a woman without her desire is uncomfortable and stressful. In addition, such an image is optional and even inappropriate for a food establishment; its primary goal is to satisfy the basic needs of customers for food and not performance. However, if Jessica’s uniform also contains elements such as a short skirt or a deep neckline, then the policy of Tasty can clearly be described as discriminatory. (Government Equalities Office, 2018)

At the same time, a high heel causes discomfort and pain to the legs, especially for the work of a waiter, which requires constant walking. Accordingly, this part of the uniform is harmful to women’s health(Wallace, 2017) A similar case was won by the Unit, which obtained the approval of British Airlines, for female employees to wear trousers as part of their uniforms (Topham, 2016). Their main argument was the fact that skirts did not protect them from the cold in the Nordic countries or malaria in a tropical climate (Topham, 2016). In addition, the requirement to wear high heels treats women less favorably than men. Therefore, you should check whether the described elements are in line with company policy to determine if there is gender discrimination.

Claims

Jessica claims that wearing heels as part of a uniform discriminates against her as a female and harms her health. Heels make her feel like she earns tips by her appearance but not the quality of the service. In addition, she constantly feels pain in her feet and toes because of heels, although men do not face such a problem. She appealed to the management with a request to cancel this requirement in uniform; however, she did not receive approval or even a clear answer to her questions. For these reasons, Jessica demands a change in the uniform policy in Tasty and £30000 compensation for moral damage.

Jessica’s manager Mr. Gate claims that uniforms for female waitresses, which include heels, are a common and standard practice for cafes. Male waiters, as well as other staff, are also required to wear a uniform, although it differs due to sanitary standards and gender differences. In addition, he assures that the other waitresses had not complained about their dress before, so the company did not consider it as a problem. For this reason, Mr. Gate states that reluctance to wear high heels is only Jessica’s desire and does not discriminate against all women. Consequently, Tasty sees no reason to change the uniform that has been used for years and pays compensation to Jessica.

Evaluation of The Decision

I did not have the opportunity to hear a court decision on this case, so I can only suggest it. I believe that Jessica won this case, and Tasty is obligated to change the uniform policy to remove heels from it. However, I think that Jessica could receive a maximum of £10000 of compensation since the legislation still has not official acts about the dress-code requirement. The UK still has not adopted a law prohibiting the obligatory wearing of heels as part of the dress code, despite statements about the tightening of the law on uniforms in the press (Syal, 2016; Owusu, 2018). Recent articles and news attest to this, for example, Baroness Hale’s statement that female lawyers should not be forced to wear heels at work (Wyatt, 2020). Consequently, many people, even in the sphere of jurisprudence, do not perceive the recommendations of the government as binding, which affects the decision-making.

However, several precedents could be cited in favor of Jessica, as well as existing laws. Firstly, Jessica claims that wearing heels is harmful to the health of her legs, as many doctors confirm (Wallace, 2017). This uniform also makes her feel uncomfortable and degrades her professional qualities. At the same time, men have a comfortable and modest form, which does not distinguish their gender differences.

Besides, manager Mr. Gate claims that he was not aware of discrimination, although evidence shows that Jessica asked him to change the dress code. Consequently, the Equality Act 2010 and the 2018 Government Guideline support non-wearing heels in this case. In addition, flat shoes for waitresses do not matter much for Tasty, as this is a catering establishment in which the main aspects are the quality of service and food.

The case of British Airline female workers is also a precedent in this case as women have obtained permission to wear trousers after confirming this need by harm for their health (Topham, 2016). Although these cases are different in scale, since the flight attendants filed a group lawsuit, while Jessica was the only one the cases considered the same issues.

Therefore, most likely, Jessica will receive part of the compensation, and Tasty will be forced to remove the heels as a mandatory part of the uniform. If Jessica had the support of her colleagues, they probably would have received more significant compensation. However, until a law that more clearly sets out the requirements for a work dress code is passed in the United Kingdom, people of any gender will be forced to assert their rights through the courts.

Reference List

Cave, A. (2016) ‘Do different uniforms for boys and girls amount to sex discrimination?‘ Farrer & Co. Web.

Equality Act 2010(2010) c.15. Web.

Government Equalities Office. (2018) ‘Dress codes and sex discrimination – what you need to know.’ Web.

Nath, V., Bach, S. and Lockwood G. (2016). Research Paper. Dress codes and appearance at work: body supplements, body modification and aesthetic labour. London: Acas.

Owusu, N. (2018) ‘Government finally bans sexist dress codes at work,’ TUC. Web.

Syal, R. (2017). ‘Law must be tougher over dress code discrimination, say MPs,’ The Guardian. Web.

Topham, G. (2016). ‘Female British Airways cabin crew win the right to wear trousers‘ The Guardian. Web.

Wallace, J. (2017) ‘ High heels dress code may breach health and safety law,’ The Guardian. Web.

Wyatt, T. (2020). ‘Female lawyers should not be forced to wear heels, says Baroness Hale,’ The Independent. Web.

Fenton, S. (2016) ‘Think a woman being sent home for not wearing heels is the same as being told to wear a suit? Here’s why you’re wrong,’ The Independent. Web.

Social norm and behavior

Any social norm is how a group of people should think about a thing or behave. Each model has its peculiarities and impact on society. For example, the necessity to dress in fashion is one of the frequently used norms that many people cannot neglect and cannot be understood by many people who want to follow their interests and preferences. Dress codes define the rules of clothing for people of different ages, races, and social statuses. In my opinion, this norm is not appropriate in the modern world due to several reasons: first, people are free to make decisions and consider their interests; second, fashion is a current issue that cannot be neglected because of one social norm that has a long history and maybe rethought; and, finally, it is wrong to pay much attention to a single model that deprives a person of comfort and a kind of pleasure. I think it is customary to dress according to personal tastes and preferences. In my new school, I am going to wear clothes that I like expecting other people to understand my choice and support the idea of uniqueness in a currently changing world.

School time

As soon as I came to the school, where students got used to wearing a special uniform, wearing my favorite jeans and sweater, I observed many eyes. Some students admitted that it was a good job what I was doing. Some students said that I was another person who wanted to move a stone that could not be moved. And some people just passed through. It was interesting to observe how one single action could cause a variety of reactions. I felt that my strange way of behavior was not new. Still, I was eager to discover what I could learn or get from this situation.

Everything seemed to be expected until a serious man in a blue suit approached me. I realized that something went wrong. I knew it was forbidden to contradict the norms established; still, I wanted to use my unawareness and the desire to prove that nothing could go wrong as my actions’ main explanations. The director invited me to his office and explained the peculiarities of the school’s dress code. The story he shared with me explained why it was crucial to follow this simple, still critical social norm. A school is not the place for experiments. It is the place where students should get an education and learn new material that can be used in the future. It is not the place for some fashion experiments. It was clear that students had to follow this norm and avoid any contradictions and misunderstandings in the education process.

Kind of norm violation

In general, this kind of norm violation taught me one thing: it was possible to break the rules and consider personal freedoms of choice as a good explanation. Still, the application of social norms is the thing that cannot be neglected. Though many social examples are too old and have to be re-evaluated, the idea of dress codes and their impact on human lives remains to be unchangeable. However, in my opinion, the director was wrong with one of his assumptions. A school has to be the place for students’ experiments in any way. It is inappropriate to make young people try something new under circumstances that cannot be controlled by professionals. This is why the possibility to dress in accordance with personal tastes and preferences should be provided at schools, at least on a one-time-in-a-month basis. School psychologists and teachers can follow students’ behavior and offer the most appropriate improvements in case of emergency. This is how a dress code norm should work.

Introduction: Significance of a Dress Code and Uniforms in an Educational Environment

The idea of introducing a uniform dress code in the school setting has been the subject of numerous debates. While there are several disadvantages to it (e.g., possible financial issues for parents compared to cheaper dressing options), the positive aspects seem to be more numerous. For instance, the threat of social conflict is reduced due to the homogeneity of the dressing options (Baumwirt, 2017). Furthermore, the focus will be shifted from appearance-related issues to academic progress. To promote an improvement in the students’ performance and reduce the possibility of social confrontations at the Medical Assisting Vocational School, one will have to consider affordable dress code options for male and female students.

Problem Definition: Lack of Dress Code Instructions at the Medical Assisting Vocational School

There is a consistent need to help learners to focus on the academic process and the improvement of their skills and knowledge. While social interactions are also crucial, different dressing styles contribute to conflicts and social stratification rather than efficient communication and cooperation. The introduction of uniform dressing styles will supposedly help reduce the levels of social confrontation and help the learners focus on improving their academic scores (Case, 2016).

Solution: How to Introduce New Standards at the Medical Assisting Vocational School

The development of a dress code that will compel the learners to wear trousers and shirts with collars will ostensibly trigger a drop in the number of social conflicts. The color scheme will be based on the official colors of the school. Particularly, the use of light blue, white, black, and navy should be viewed as an option. The identified color palette can be regarded as suitable for both men and women. Furthermore, the use of cotton, polyester, and wool should be considered an option due to the reasonable prices for the said materials. Thus, the introduction of the dress code rules will not face significant resistance among the students. In contrast, the use of a more expensive material may trigger dissatisfaction among lower-class learners (Baumwirt, 2017).

Change Management: What Needs to Be Accomplished to Change the Dress Code

It would be wrong to assume that a massive improvement will occur with the statement of the fact that the school will transfer to the use of rigid dress code standards. Quite on the contrary, the process of change must be gradual and profound so that the new standards should sink in more efficiently. Particularly, six crucial stages will have to be completed (Williams, 2014).

First and most obvious, the establishment of the standards in accordance with which the dress code will be altered will have to be considered. Particularly, the emphasis on equality and the reduction in the level of social tension between the learners should be viewed as priorities. Once the appropriate values and norms are introduced into the school environment, the premises for change will be built (Fossey & DeMitchell, 2014).

Afterward, the tools for measuring the success of introducing the dress code into the target environment should be considered. Two primary variables will be scrutinized in the course of the assessment, i.e., the quality of communication among the learners (i.e., the changes in the number of conflicts occurring between them) and the learners’ performance rates (i.e., the grades that they receive, the timeliness of completing their assignments, the level of proficiency that they demonstrate, etc.). The identified framework will be used as the means of monitoring the outcomes of the change in the target environment (Williams, 2014).

The integration of the said standards and the shift toward using uniform clothes in the Medical Assisting Vocational School setting will be the next step. As stressed above, it is unlikely that the learners will accept the identified innovation eagerly. Therefore, the emphasis on the new values and standards developed during the first stage of the program will become essential (Moore, 2014).

Gathering feedback from the students two or three months after the dress code is established will be crucial. The information retrieved in the process will serve as the foundation for assessing the success of the project. Coupled with the results of the students’ progress analysis, it will show whether the promotion of a new dress code has a tangible effect on the learners’ progress in their studies and the quality of communication between them (White, 2014).

Finally, the identification of the goals that will have to be completed after the new dress code has been established will be required. Claiming that the focus on uniform clothing will help improve the students’ performance and communication would be quite a stretch. Yet, the promotion of a specific dress code is bound to create prerequisites for equality in the educational setting. Therefore, the outcomes of the change will inform the further choice of management strategies (Moore, 2014) (see Fig. 1).

Conclusion: Introducing a Dress Code to the Medical Assisting Vocational School

Uniform dress code is likely to have a positive effect on the academic progress and interpersonal relationships between the students at the Medical Assisting Vocational School. Therefore, it is recommended that a set of rigid guidelines about the clothes worn by learners should be introduced into the target setting. The implementation will require significant changes in the school policies and vision, thus, compelling the learners to reconsider their value system.

References

Baumwirt, J. (2017). Granada Hills Charter High School: Staff, parent, and student satisfaction survey results. Web.

Case, J. (2016). From power struggles to conflict resolution: Transform your school’s culture today. New York, NY: Rowman & Littlefield. Web.

Fossey, R., & DeMitchell, T. A. (2014). Student dress codes and the First Amendment: Legal challenges and policy issues. New York, NY: Rowman & Littlefield. Web.

Moore, L. (2014). The high trust classroom. New York, NY: Routledge. Web.

White, C. (2014). Community education for social justice. Springer Science & Business Media. Web.

Williams, H. (2014). Only the faces change: A high school Odyssey. New York, NY: Lulu.com. Web.