Can He Wear an Earring at Work?
Peter was hired as a personal services representative at South Town Bank, a small bank serving South Town for over 30 years. The bank had a reputation for being one of the more conservative places of employment in town. Because it offered good wages and benefits, the bank had no problems finding employees.
Personal service representatives sit at desks in the wood panel lobby of the bank to assist bank customers with account queries and other problems. All bank personnel were required to dress according to company rules. Men were expected to wear dress shirts and ties, while women were required to wear dresses or skirts. It was only recently that the bank had instituted “causal Friday” on the last Friday of each month. On that Friday, employees could wear business causal clothes. Mend could wear golf shirts or other shifts with collars. Woman could wear slacks with appropriate blouses/and or sweaters. No jeans, shorts, halter tops, and t-shirts were allowed. Employees with tattoos were required to wear clothes that would coves tattoos.
When peter reported for his first day at south Town Bank, he came dressed appropriately in a shirt and tie. But he also had a discreet but noticeable gold loop earring in his left earlobe. When the branch manager saw peter wearing the earring, he told peter to remove the earring since it was not consistent wit the bank’s employee dress policy. Peter became upset and pointed out that no one had told him during the employment interview that he could not wear an earring to work. The brand manager pointed out that if peter had worn the earring during the job interview, he probably would not have been hired. He further stated that , because of the earring, peter did not present the professional image they desired for their personal service representatives. Peter pointed out that female personal service representatives were allowed to wear earrings at work. The branch manager said it was customary in society for women to wear earrings but not men. He again asked peter to remove the earring. When peter refused, he was fired
Peter felt that he had been discriminated against and vowed that he would take legal action. In the employee handbook, the was the following reference to the wearing of earrings: “visible jewelry must be small and tasteful as determined bye management. Jewelry must not interfere with job performance”.
Questions:
Is peter peter is victim of discrimination?
Evaluate the branch manager comment that peter would not have been hired had he worn the earring during the employment interview.