Date: MAY 1, 1997

Attention: ASCIP Members

Subject: GENDER DISCRIMINATION - DISTRICT DRESS AND CLOTHING

Download a printer-friendly version.

The recent settlement of a claim against a Southern California school District for gender discrimination resulting from that District's action forbidding the female plaintiff from wearing pants on-the-job has been featured in the local media and may pose potential political issues for many school Districts.

The plaintiff claimed that forbidding her to wear pants on-the-job was discriminatory and she sued for relief. While the settlement to the plaintiff was not remarkable, the court awarded attorney's fees in accordance with law which amounted to almost six times the amount of the settlement award!

ASCIP members should be aware that when developing and implementing any type of uniform, clothing, or dress code policy affecting staff or students in their Districts, such a policy should be gender neutral throughout and should avoid imposing any requirement for clothing or attire based on gender.

Reviewed July, 2006