Would a workplace ever allow employees to cross dress?

[atomic fire]

Just curious. Would a workplace prevent a man from cross dressing? For instance could a man ever walk into his workplace wearing a skirt showing his legs with lipstick and painted finger nails?

With Canada being a free country I don't see how a workplace could ever prevent someone from doing so even though some may deem it to be inappropriate.

[B40]

Are you asking for personal reasons? :D

[CoinSaver]

Funny, nobody ever thinks a woman is cross dressing when she wears a Suit with pants and a jacket. I know that's allowed.

[sauga79]

Just curious. Would a workplace prevent a man from cross dressing? For instance could a man ever walk into his workplace wearing a skirt showing his legs with lipstick and painted finger nails?

With Canada being a free country I don't see how a workplace could ever prevent someone from doing so even though some may deem it to be inappropriate.


If I was working in the workplace you are describing, I would say that because Canada is a free country, that person is infringing on my own claim to having a productive atmosphere. That man dressed up as a woman, unless it is work related, is really taking away from the workplace.

The point is that his personal preferences belong in the personal sphere and thus unless the public sphere recognizes his preferences, his behaviour is unacceptable.

[sauga79]

Funny, nobody ever thinks a woman is cross dressing when she wears a Suit with pants and a jacket. I know that's allowed.


That's because when a woman is masked under masculine attributes, they are preceived strong like man.

And if a man is dressed like woman, he is perceived as weak like woman (ref. that Madonna song).

[towelie]

gay!

[B40]

Funny, nobody ever thinks a woman is cross dressing when she wears a Suit with pants and a jacket. I know that's allowed.

Funny you think that's funny. What if a woman didn't shave her legs and wore shorts?

[gilboman]

If I was working in the workplace you are describing, I would say that because Canada is a free country, that person is infringing on my own claim to having a productive atmosphere. That man dressed up as a woman, unless it is work related, is really taking away from the workplace.

The point is that his personal preferences belong in the personal sphere and thus unless the public sphere recognizes his preferences, his behaviour is unacceptable.

you make no sense at all, by your reasoning, i cant wear blue if a co-worker finds that blue is a distracting color for them?

[eelfliw]

There is no black & white answer to this. It depends on the work place (ie. working alone vs working @ public place like McDonalds).

If you wish to dress up as a woman, all the power to you. But I would first get some help from different cross-dressing groups because I can see this potentially end up in the courts or human rights commission and you'll need money to pay for lawyers.

By the way, post some pictures of yourself before and after. :cheesygri

[mlc2000]

Funny you think that's funny. What if a woman didn't shave her legs and wore shorts?

Oh, it could be worse.....


http://www.verzila.obninsk.ru/Fc/Fb/miss_afganistan.jpg

[chopstickhero]

try it, and let us know what happens tomorrow

[d_jedi]

3 words: Employee dress code.
I can't go into work wearing ripped jeans, a Grateful Dead t-shirt, and a F*ck you hat (to reference George Carlin :->) , now can I?

[akito925]

the answer would be "NO!" read the fine print of the company dress code.

[Degenerate]

3 words: Employee dress code.
I can't go into work wearing ripped jeans, a Grateful Dead t-shirt, and a F*ck you hat (to reference George Carlin :->) , now can I?
Would employee dress codes discriminate men from women? So a skirt deemed appropriate for a female. That same skirt would not be deemed appropriate for a male? That's total discrimination.

the answer would be "NO!" read the fine print of the company dress code.
They really discriminate in fine print? I don't see how a company can stop a man from wearing high heels if he chooses to.

[old_old_7]

Oh yes, on Halloween, no problem for sure :lol:

[CodecX81]

if the workplace also allowed goth uniform.

[d_jedi]

Would employee dress codes discriminate men from women? So a skirt deemed appropriate for a female. That same skirt would not be deemed appropriate for a male? That's total discrimination.

When you took the job, you (probably) agreed to their code of conduct, which includes their dress code.

[Degenerate]

When you took the job, you (probably) agreed to their code of conduct, which includes their dress code.
Either way if it's agreed or not isn't it discrimination?

[d_jedi]

Either way if it's agreed or not isn't it discrimination?

In a way, yes it is. But I think it's justified (especially if that employee is in a customer-facing position).

[Degenerate]

In a way, yes it is. But I think it's justified (especially if that employee is in a customer-facing position).
Agreed. So discrimination is justified in special circumstances. I'm assuming racism would be justified also at time. Shameful society we live in ...

[CodecX81]

When you took the job, you (probably) agreed to their code of conduct, which includes their dress code.

To be honest, if your lifestyle cannot be modified to the point of dressing to match company policy, maybe you should find another venue for work, or go into business for yourself?

When you work for a company, you represent their image. Hooters girls are expected to wear tiny shorts, and tight white t's, as much as people in offices are to be business casual, opposed to a locally owned shop, whose employees could be anywhere from half naked to suit & tie.

Exception is Microsoft, their corporate policy is casual. just come to work wearing anything thats not ripped or showing excessive amounts of skin.

Depends what your niche is. Discriminitory, I suppose. But, I also think that if you are a male, who wishes to wear a spring dress & heels to work every day, you need to undergo a psychological assessment.

Dress unisex, no problems will occur.

[d_jedi]

Agreed. So discrimination is justified in special circumstances. I'm assuming racism would be justified also at time. Shameful society we live in ...

Yes, discrimination is justified in many circumstances. Racially/ethnically, almost always not, though (although "racial profiling" - to an extent - is acceptable, IMO).

Would you expect to be welcomed into a vegan group eating a roast beef sandwich?

[Headhunter]

To be honest, if your lifestyle cannot be modified to the point of dressing to match company policy, maybe you should find another venue for work, or go into business for yourself?

When you work for a company, you represent their image. Hooters girls are expected to wear tiny shorts, and tight white t's, as much as people in offices are to be business casual, opposed to a locally owned shop, whose employees could be anywhere from half naked to suit & tie.
This post sums up what I wanted to say. Discrimination or not, very few business will accept a male showing up for work in a strapless dress, pantyhose and stiletto heels.

Yes, discrimination is justified in many circumstances. Racially/ethnically, almost always not, though (although "racial profiling" - to an extent - is acceptable, IMO).

Would you expect to be welcomed into a vegan group eating a roast beef sandwich?
Agreed. I don't understand some of the "race doesn't matter" views; is it really beneficial to anyone if Malcolm X was portrayed on TV/film by a white man? Arguments like that befuddle me...

[Degenerate]

Agreed. I don't understand some of the "race doesn't matter" views; is it really beneficial to anyone if Malcolm X was portrayed on TV/film by a white man? Arguments like that befuddle me...
Kingpin was portrayed by a black man

[Tulsytsan]

I think each company would have it's own view point on this. From a logical point of view and quite possibly a legal point of view, if you dressed according to dress code then it wouldn't matter. If skirts are to be no shorter than 2 inches above the knees then it shouldn't matter who wears the skirt. That said if in the dress code it specifically says "women can wear skirts no less than 2 inches above the knee" then they could have you on a technicality. With all the support the gay rights movement has been getting lately, if the person that was cross dressing did it within the restrictions of the companies dress code then they could potentially argue discrimination. The other thing to mention here would be that the person doing the cross dressing may be required to prove that it is thier lifestyle choice all the time and not just for the hours that they are at work. In otherwords, are they crossdressing for shock value or are they a crossdresser all the time. This, unfortunately is a grey area, and the majority would belive that discrimination would be the appropriate response. Personal views aside, I would say that it shouldn't matter.


Now, the "homophobe" in me would say fire his a$$!

[Gevaltech]

In our current atmosphere which demands nothing less than absolute equality, it would seem to be impossible to deny a man the "right" to dress the same way as a woman. Furthermore, on what basis can society continue to maintain separate washrooms/change rooms for men and women? You wouldn't ban an openly gay man from using the urinal next to yours would you?

[sauga79]

you make no sense at all, by your reasoning, i cant wear blue if a co-worker finds that blue is a distracting color for them?


By your reasoning, you are being unreasonable by comparing the color blue verses a person dressed in the opposite sex. It's transparent that the latter sends out a stronger and distracting sexual message to observers.

[blackhawk]

Company Dress Code..................almost every place has one.


The cult of the "its my right" generation has brought this about.

And NO, Madonna singing is not proof that women are weak and men are strong that can be used in court. :confused:

[ctam]

Talking about equality and discrimination. By using the same standard I can hire kids under age to come work for me. After all, by me not hiring them would be consider as a discrimination against the kids right?

It is very interesting how ppl use equality and free rights to justify to get what they want.

[gilboman]

Talking about equality and discrimination. By using the same standard I can hire kids under age to come work for me. After all, by me not hiring them would be consider as a discrimination against the kids right?

It is very interesting how ppl use equality and free rights to justify to get what they want.

you can hire kids, just not for certain jobs which pose a hazard to them

e.g. i can hire a 12 yr old to shovel my driveway but not work at a bar

[UrbanPoet]

when you sign to work for them... they basically signing a thing that says you gotta follow the Rules. Eg.. a Dress code at McDonalds is a navy blue golf shirt and dress pants...

[ctam]

you can hire kids, just not for certain jobs which pose a hazard to them

e.g. i can hire a 12 yr old to shovel my driveway but not work at a bar

So I can hire 12 year olds to help me move boxes in my warehouse? :) Right.

[atomic fire]

Company Dress Code..................almost every place has one.
Would a dress code state that women are allowed to wear something but men are not?

It is very interesting how ppl use equality and free rights to justify to get what they want.
It's totally justifyable if a male dressed in proper female clothing. If your wife wears a dress to work why can't you take her same dress and wear it to work? I wouldn't like to see any men wearing dressing and high heels at work but who am I to prevent someone from wearing something that is deemed proper clothing in general without putting a face on who's wearing it.

[d_jedi]

Would a dress code state that women are allowed to wear something but men are not?
Yes.

[UrbanPoet]

Would a dress code state that women are allowed to wear something but men are not?


It's totally justifyable if a male dressed in proper female clothing. If your wife wears a dress to work why can't you take her same dress and wear it to work? I wouldn't like to see any men wearing dressing and high heels at work but who am I to prevent someone from wearing something that is deemed proper clothing in general without putting a face on who's wearing it.

its also tradition/societies norms....
Would you go to a Funeral wearing Pink since its a free country and you can do whatver u want?

[Degenerate]

Yes.
Wow. This will change shortly especially with all this gay marriage nonsense.

[Degenerate]

its also tradition/societies norms....
Would you go to a Funeral wearing Pink since its a free country and you can do whatver u want?
Tradition and socities norm was also no same sex marriage but look what happened there.

As for the funeral no one is stopping you from wearing pink other than the simple fact of respect.

[UrbanPoet]

Tradition and socities norm was also no same sex marriage but look what happened there.

As for the funeral no one is stopping you from wearing pink other than the simple fact of respect.

wouldnt you wanna respect your employer by at least keeping a professional environment?

[Degenerate]

wouldnt you wanna respect your employer by at least keeping a professional environment?
I would. On the topic of respect shouldn't you respect one's choice in attire? It's about a persons right to wear something that is perceived as proper atire. When you walk into a GAP and see a skirt haning on the rack the skirt itself is perceived as proper attire. But once you put a face on the skirt suddenly it might not be appropriate?

[canadiantofu]

3 words: Employee dress code.
I can't go into work wearing ripped jeans, a Grateful Dead t-shirt, and a F*ck you hat (to reference George Carlin :->) , now can I?


But I bet you most employee dress code does not address gender in clothing...Therefore the guy would be able to show up in proper female attire.

[d_jedi]

I would but this isn't about respect. It's about a persons right to wear something that is perceived as proper atire. When you walk into a GAP and see a skirt haning on the rack the skirt itself is perceived as proper attire. Once you put a face on the skirt it's could be considered inappropriate?

When you're working, you're a representative of that business. As such, a skirt is not proper attire for a male.

[asim99]

Oh, it could be worse.....


http://www.verzila.obninsk.ru/Fc/Fb/miss_afganistan.jpg

haha...although it's funny, it's totally incorrect
afghan women, just like any other muslim, would be religiously required to keep their underarm and pubic hair shaved/trimmed

[d_jedi]

But I bet you most employee dress code does not address gender in clothing...Therefore the guy would be able to show up in proper female attire.

Actually, all of the companies that I've worked for (at least the ones that had a dress code that I bothered to read..) did differentiate.

[Degenerate]

When you're working, you're a representative of that business. As such, a skirt is not proper attire for a male.
I disagree. I think I would look hot in a skirt. :lol:

I think if they're going to allow same sex marriages then it's only fair that they allow you to wear anything you want as long as it's proper regardless what gender you are. If capris are allowed then men should be allow also. Just to be fair not that I'd like to see it.

[Gevaltech]

But I bet you most employee dress code does not address gender in clothing...Therefore the guy would be able to show up in proper female attire.
Absolutely. There was a time when women would not have been "allowed" to wear pants to work. Could an employer impose that today? So how can they impose a no skirt on a man rule? What's good for the goose...

[d_jedi]

Absolutely. There was a time when women would not have been "allowed" to wear pants to work. Could an employer impose that today?

Yes.

[d_jedi]

I disagree. I think I would look hot in a skirt.
I think the rest of the world would disagree with you.. :D

[Degenerate]

Absolutely. There was a time when women would not have been "allowed" to wear pants to work. Could an employer impose that today?
I'm for women not allowed to wear pants as long as they are hot :cheesygri

[Gevaltech]

Actually, all of the companies that I've worked for (at least the ones that had a dress code that I bothered to read..) did differentiate.
But it still begs the question...are they legally allowed to? They certainly can make rules about dress codes that are consistent...no jeans, no t-shirts, no sandals, etc. But, can they say that one gender can wear colour clothing, but not the other? That one sex can have their legs exposed and not the other?

[d_jedi]

But it still begs the question...are they legally allowed to? They certainly can make rules about dress codes that are consistent...no jeans, no t-shirts, no sandals, etc. But, can they say that one gender can wear colour clothing, but not the other? That one sex can have their legs exposed and not the other?
If you agree to it, then of course they can. If not, well.. good luck trying a human rights tribunal case..

I always wanted to work as a Hooters girl, myself :lol:

[Keyboard Cowboy]

Well, not quite cross-dressing, but I guess equal opportunity employment. My old high school had a janitor by the name of Edwin...preferred to be called Edwina. Makeup, hair done up, the whole bit. Couldn't cross dress, except possibly undergarments, as the uniform is pretty much standard.

[dg_sch]

I worked for the federal government several years back and one employee was a transvestite. He/she intended on "going under the knife" and was told by doctors that before they would do the surgery he had to live life as a woman. So work attire consisted of pant suits, skirts and blouses, heels, makeup, earings the whole nine yards. Management held meeting with his/her fellow team members to inform them of the situation. There was NOTHING they could do to prevent it.

[Degenerate]

I worked for the federal government several years back and one employee was a transvestite. He/she intended on "going under the knife" and was told by doctors that before they would do the surgery he had to live life as a woman. So work attire consisted of pant suits, skirts and blouses, heels, makeup, earings the whole nine yards. Management held meeting with his/her fellow team members to inform them of the situation. There was NOTHING they could do to prevent it.
That's exactly what I'm thinking. I'm surprised there hasn't been a bill passed yet on this. It will happen soon I'm pretty sure.

[d_jedi]

That's exactly what I'm thinking. I'm surprised there hasn't been a bill passed yet on this. It will happen soon I'm pretty sure.

How do you figure? I see that as a rather unique case.. The person wanted to have a sex change operation, but couldn't have it until (on doctor's orders) they lived as a woman for a certain period of time. As well, this was with the government..