Dress code outside of work? Florida

[Azkie]

Hi there. I work for a saddlery company based in Florida and we have a mobile unit that travels to NY, VT, PA, and KY six months that out of the year. My employer has 'received a complaint' from a customer about what I wear outside of work. I'm female and I generally wear shorts and a t-shirt when I'm off and I have a tattoo on my thigh, which could possibly be the reason for the 'complaint'. Is it legal for her to enforce a dress code for me when I'm not working? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[cbg]

There isn't a law that says she can't, so she can.

[ElleMD]

If you are travelling for work and representing your employer, they can dictate how to conduct yourself even off the clock.

[DAW]

There isn't a law that says she can't, so she can.

This is exactly the right answer, and it too simple an answer for many people to believe it.

- Under "employment at will", all terminations are legal until/unless someone passes a specific law saying that it is not legal.
- As far as anyone on this website knows (apparently) there is no specific law protecting off duty apparel choices. Or tatoos. Hair style. Sport team preferences. I can legally fire someone for being a Cubs fan, because there is no law saying that I cannot. Employees have been legally fired for putting political signs on their yards, some thing I am still surprised is legal. There are plenty of voting rights laws but none of them apparently effect employment.

[Betty3]

I can legally fire someone for being a Cubs fan, because there is no law saying that I cannot.

Being a St. Louis Cardinals fan, it wouldn't upset me!

[Morgana]

I worked at a big accounting firm. One of the managers talked to an employee who was mowing his lawn without a shirt. It didn't fit the "image" the accounting firm wanted to portray.
As mentioned, its not illegal.

[Payroll Guy]

The only way the employer could get into a bind doing this would be if an male employee was allowed to wear pretty much the same thing without negative employer action.

[DAW]

True although there are some gender based latitude in dress codes. Say suits and tie for men and dresses for women. A lot of odd ball cases which makes for strange law, like the Hooters cases. To quote Mr. Bumble "The law, sir, is an a**".