Mini Skirts

[JesusWalks78]

I have an employee, a very attarctive woman that is constantly dressing in a fashion that I as the employer find to be inconsistent with the image of my company that I wish to portray.

I feel a little duped because at the interveiew and the first week, she seemed rather conservative, now she dresses in a very provocative fashion and I cant say that i am all to comfortable with the abundance of flesh she decides to show on a daily basis.

Three times now I have asked her to tone down the dressing and come to work like she is working, not about to hit the clubs.....three times she has ignored me and is now saying that if I mention it again she will take it up to the courts. Dress code is a part of the contract that my employees sign, a contract that has been drawn up by a legal team.

Now it comes to a matter of ethics.....I am considering firing her for insubordination.

What would you do?

 

[nvxplorer]

I would have fired her the first day she ignored my demand. The issue is indeed insubordination. The manner of dress is irrelevant.

 

[bammertheblue]

If you have a dress code and someone's not following it and you've told them three times, I'd fire them too.

 

[Lynden1000]

I'd fire her mini-skirt wearing rear. She violated your dress code numerous times, directly disobeyed you, and then threatened you with a lawsuit.

I'd chuck her out of there before your business starts to suffer as a result.

 

[PETE_]

As a small business owner I would make the warnings written before taking any dimissal action. Verbal warnings only tend to end up as "he said she said" in court. If there is a paper trail you will be spared these accusations.

 

[united4Peace]

Walking papers...
Its in her contract ...she signed it...she should know better...
dont let her scare you...get rid of her if she isnt going to listen

 

[katautumn]

I agree with Pete. Verbal warnings don't hold much water and if it came down to it, she could try and sue on the grounds of discrimination.

In my opinion, if you are working in a professional environment and there is a written dress code and expected look for employees, you cannot threaten to take your employer to court for asking you (and giving ample time) to correct the situation. Since you've already been very generous in giving her three verbal warnings, next time she ignores your request issue a written warning, giving her a sixty day period of probation. After this point, you can dismiss her on the grounds of failure to comply with company policy without any further warning. That is, of course, she continues to be a problem. Writing an employee up, having it on paper, protects you, your company and your employee. I would be hesitant to let someone go after simply requesting to tone down the manner in which she dresses verbally.

Also, be certain that her manner of dress is inconsistent with the dress code. Too often, employers will punish one team member for not playing by the rules, all the while turning a blind eye to other "slackers". If she really is dressing like she should be hitting up a sleazy nightclub then you have every right to issue a written warning, because she is degrading herself, making her co-workers uncomfortable and presenting a poor image of your company.

 

[nvxplorer]

I agree with Pete. Verbal warnings don't hold much water and if it came down to it, she could try and sue on the grounds of discrimination.

A picture is worth a thousand false discrimination claims. Take a photo. Case closed.

 

[united4Peace]

No...she signed a contract...
signed and sealed...
Fire her!!! taking someones photo can get you in a heap of trouble.

 

[Mrs.Sidhe]

She signed the contract, she knew the dress code. Perhaps a written warning or probation period as another poster suggested could work but if all else fails....

Fire her! If she tries to take it to the courts you have proof that she agreed to the dress code so its her fault.

 

[nvxplorer]

No...she signed a contract...
signed and sealed...
Fire her!!! taking someones photo can get you in a heap of trouble.

Taking photos is perfectly legal. Photographs are not only accepted by the courts, but are preferred to testimony.

That she signed a contract does not prove she violated that contract. A photo of her in the miniskirt is irrefutable evidence that she is in violation.

 

[Mrs.Sidhe]

What about other employees statements? They could be used as well in a court case...though I agree a photo would be preferable.

 

[JesusWalks78]

What about other employees statements? They could be used as well in a court case...though I agree a photo would be preferable.

Thank you all, the thing is that I am very fair (I think) with enforcing my laws...when someone shows up in blue jeans, they get the same warning. I try to maintain a family feel...it isnt only the skirts its the tops with her breasts pouring out of them.

The third warning was a written warning, thats when she said she was goingto sue me for sexual harrasment....I dont think it is harrasment. It is not that I am afraid to fire her...its just that it will make me feel awful, it is her first job and she is very hard working...just a little to harcore feminist.

She seems to think that I owe her a job, I think otherwise. I have just suspended her for two weeks with half pay...hoepfully she gets the message.

 

[TheMissus]

Fire her. You're totally in the right here. Take a picture of her in her miniskirt at work, then tell her to take off.

 

[MemeBuster]

and is now saying that if I mention it again she will take it up to the courts.

and make sure you are not alone with her at any point...

 

[Lynden1000]

Thank you all, the thing is that I am very fair (I think) with enforcing my laws...when someone shows up in blue jeans, they get the same warning. I try to maintain a family feel...it isnt only the skirts its the tops with her breasts pouring out of them.

The third warning was a written warning, thats when she said she was goingto sue me for sexual harrasment....I dont think it is harrasment. It is not that I am afraid to fire her...its just that it will make me feel awful, it is her first job and she is very hard working...just a little to harcore feminist.

She seems to think that I owe her a job, I think otherwise. I have just suspended her for two weeks with half pay...hoepfully she gets the message.

The woman threatens you with a sexual harassment lawsuit and you're trying to play nicely? You've got a business to protect- a business that employs hard working people who count on you for their paychecks. Fire this broad before she concocts some scheme that cost your business its money and reputation.

 

[JesusWalks78]

The woman threatens you with a sexual harassment lawsuit and you're trying to play nicely? You've got a business to protect- a business that employs hard working people who count on you for their paychecks. Fire this broad before she concocts some scheme that cost your business its money and reputation.

I know, I just feel like she needs another chance...she relys on me for her paycheck as well.

 

[united4Peace]

Thank you all, the thing is that I am very fair (I think) with enforcing my laws...when someone shows up in blue jeans, they get the same warning. I try to maintain a family feel...it isnt only the skirts its the tops with her breasts pouring out of them.

The third warning was a written warning, thats when she said she was goingto sue me for sexual harrasment....I dont think it is harrasment. It is not that I am afraid to fire her...its just that it will make me feel awful, it is her first job and she is very hard working...just a little to harcore feminist.

She seems to think that I owe her a job, I think otherwise. I have just suspended her for two weeks with half pay...hoepfully she gets the message.

Im a feminist..many of us here are and we dont walk around with our breasts hanging out and butts showing in places where they shouldnt.
Im one for jeans so I would never apply for a job that I had to dress in dresses, unless they had a casual uniform like a nurse (pants-not dress), comfy stuff.
This girl applied at your business, she signed a contract, you have the papers, you have her signature, she new the rules, you have every right to fire her.
You dont have to be mean however she isnt respecting you. Maybe let her know that there are other jobs out there that would be more for her calling and give her, her walking papers.
Sorry though but if I worked at a place and someone did start taking photo's of me I would find that creepy.
You said you had a legal team make your rules...so the papers your employees sign are good enough for any court.
Go see your lawyer and get his advice though first...

 

[Chajara]

I'd fire her too. If she's so worried about bringing home that paycheck she so desperately needs then she'll shape it up with the way she dresses. Otherwise she can find a new job that will let her wear what she wants.

Edit to add: And don't let her play those "I'll sue you! Sexual harassment!" games with you. That's just ridiculous.

 

[ttreg]

It sounds like you have giver her more mercy then she deserved and been nice to her. You should fire her.