Cengage Advantage Books: Business Law Today, The Essentials 10th Edition by Roger LeRoy Miller

Exercise 19

Spotlight on the Civil Rights Act-Discrimination Based on Gender. Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse, Inc., had a dress code that required male salesclerks to wear business attire consisting of slacks, a shirt, and a necktie. Female salesclerks, by contrast, were required to wear a smock so that customers could readily identify them. Karen O'Donnell and other female employees refused to wear the smock. Instead, they reported to work in business attire and were suspended. After numerous suspensions, the female employees were fired for violating Burlington's dress code. All other conditions of employment, including salary, hours, and benefits, were the same for female and male employees. Was the dress code policy discriminatory? Why or why not? [O'Donnell v. Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse, Inc., 656 F.Supp. 263 (S.D. Ohio 1987)] (See page 535.)