Should someone be fired based only on Appearance?

Question

I work at an Apartment Community and my supervisor asked me to fire someone because this is an A+ property and she didn't measure up in her appearance. She may not be the most attractive person but she dresses by the dress code. She is a hard worker and I am torn. Please help. I told my boss it was shallow and now I am given a hard time. Is this legal?

Answer 1

Unfortunately you can get fired if someone doesn't like the color of you vehicle. What kind of employee is she, is she under contract?  

Answer 2

You really can. If the management wants to maintain a certain look and someone won't comply with a so called "dress code" if you will, then yes. They can.

Answer 3

It does sound wrong & immoral on the surface, but appearances do matter in certain circumstances.  If her role is in sales & she has poor hygiene or whatever, it doesn't work for the company.  Given that you said she dresses by the code, I'll assume that's not the case & boss is just being a typical male pig.

Answer 4

It is only legal is she's breaking a dress code or uniform policy or she has noticably bad hygenic practices.

They have the right to present an upscale presentation with their employees.

Answer 5

NO! unless it scares the cusomers or something!

Answer 6

Not to be hard on you, but if I was your boss and told you to do this and you told me what you told your boss, I would fire you too!

For one, one would fire you for insubordination.  Appearance is NOT just dress code.  Where I work at, I am a supervisor and this is our dress code: men are not allowed to wear earnings, women are only allowed to wear one set of earrings, no other piercings on the face (I.e. eyebrow, lip, tongue, nose, etc.), no tattoos that can be seen, men must be clean shaved, hair must be combed and styled professionally, no wild hair colors, men must wear a tie at all times, must wear dress shoes, etc.

So, if you do not want to get fired, then I suggest that you terminate her.  Let her decide if she was fired legally or not.  If she believes she was terminated wrongly, then she should file a lawsuit.

Answer 7

If it's in US then it is illegal. She could sue your boss and the boss could pay million of dollars. As I understand, she follows the dress code. It is discrimination.

Answer 8

Do they want to fire her b/c she is not very pretty or over weight? Or do they want to fire her b/c she doesn't dress well enough or have bad hygiene? If it is the first, then it is illegal. If it is the second, then it is not. If their reasons are the second set, have they talked to her about this and given her a chance to change? if not, try recommending this to your boss before they fire her.