If I was fired from a job of 8 months at a restaurant and arcade because of my haircut and style, is that legal?
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If I was fired from a job of 8 months at a restaurant and arcade because of my haircut and style, is that legal?
I worked at a restaurant/arcade for 7 months this haircut without issue. My hiring General Manager and even other mangers had complimented me on how much they liked my hairstyle and cut. In our handbook there were no rules about hairstyles except ones about mohawks and hair color. Our GM moved, and a new GM moved in. 3 months after his employment he asked me to change the way I wore my hair, after working 2 days without making the requested changes, I was taken off of the work schedule without any notification. My hair is shaved on one entire side, and very long on the other. I am a female.
Asked on August 12, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Oklahoma
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
It is completely legal. First, if you did not have an employment contract, you were an employee at will, and could therefore be fired at any time, for any reason whatsover. Second, an employee may be fired for cause for not following instructions or directions--and you said you did not change your hair upon instruction to do so. Third, it is legal for employers to have--and to change at will--policy or standards for grooming, dress, hair style, body art, etc., and fire anyone who does not comply.
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