On a daily basis, dress codes are one of the most common issues at jobs. Kimberly Cloutier began working for Costco in West Springfield, Massachusetts, in July 1997. Since she starting working, she had eleven piercings and four tattoos on her arms, and there wasn’t any problem until she was transferred to Costco’s Deli’s.
Cloutier never had any issues related to her body modifications such as her piercings and tattoos, until Costo created a dress code where they prohibited certain employees from wearing any type of jewelry. Employee, Kimberly Cloutier, was requested to remove her earrings but she refused.
Cloutier, requested Costco to transfer her to a position in which she would be able to use jewelry, which Costco agreed. After a while, Cloutier kept on getting more body modifications, which created a big issue between Costco’s dress code and Cloutier’s religion.
These big companies such as Costco, have a strong believe that the way their workers present to their customers, is an important matter, such as it should be in a very clean, neat, and professional looks. In order for this companies to achieve this, they may have the need to enforce dress codes, grooming codes and some other ground rules that may relate to the Company’s Motto. In is a constant confrontation between the company’s image and the employees’ style and fashion preferences.
After this inconvenience, Costco decided to offer her some accommodations such as covering her piercings with a bandage or to wear a clear plastic retainer instead of the jewelry. Cloutier, denied the offer since she was facing Religious issues when she was asked to remove her piercings considering she’s been a member of the Church of Body Modification.
In 1999, The Church of Body Modification was established which has about 1,000 members. In this religion, they encourage their members to “grow as individuals through body modification and its teachings”, this will help them to follow their motto of how this body modifications will make them “growth in mind, body and spirit.
Cloutier has stayed firm on the fact that the only reasonable decision would be to be able to be excused from Costco’s dress code, just by allowing her to wear her facial jewelry to work. Costco’s response was that this would interfere with the company’s ability to maintain their professional image. Her petition and request were turned down.
https://www.nixonpeabody.com/publications_detail3.asp?ID=824
http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20090526/NEWS01/905260309/1002/rss
http://www.workforce.com/section/09/article/23/99/34.html
