Can my employer force me to wear a bra?

Question

First of all - wearing a bra is NOT in the dress code, which I signed upon employment.

I work in an office and adhere to the dress code, however another female employee recently complained to my boss's wife (who is like the boss) and she wants me to wear one, but I heard about this from another employee who is like her assistant. (So no direct order from boss yet)

Now, I have very small breasts. A-cup sorta. Many men have larger breasts than I do. I do NOT need a bra for support and since I stopped wearing one about 8 months ago, my breasts have felt FANTASTIC - soreness is practically GONE. I've also been reading about how bra-free is better for your breast health... we have muscles, ligaments in our breasts that atrophy (get weaker, like arm muscles in a cast for a long time) when not used, which causes our breasts to sag more... so they actually stay perkier longer withOUT the bra. Not to mention, my breasts used to be sore all the time and felt super restricted with that unnecessary bra.

SO, you can sometimes sort of see my nipple shape.
HOWEVER, I can see every single man's nipple through his shirt in this office almost every day. 
Sounds like sexism to me.

Small boobs, nipple is the same as a man's who is not required to wear a bra or anything else to hide it... so can my employer force me? Can I use sexism as a way to back this up?

I don't want to go back, going braless was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Marla · Answer

I had similar issues at work, I prefer not to wear a bra because it makes my shoulders ache. I have to wear scrubs at work, so they are opaque but of course you may see a nipple shape sometimes. I generally wear another layer, a light cotton warm up jacket. So what you can do is to wear a blouse and a sweater, or a cami and a sweater.

MissA · Answer

Probably, yeah, they can.  Gender-based dress codes are usually legal, especially for employees who are required to interact with customers.  It becomes illegal when it's used to put a significant burden on one sex that isn't put on the other.  So, like, they can make you wear makeup, or high heels, or (probably) a bra... but they can't legally force you to spend money on a uniform unless male employees are also forced to spend money on a uniform

Anonymous · Answer

No they cannot. Forcing you to abide by standards not similarly imposed upon male employees is discrimination. And it is indeed sad to see so many women fully committed to shaming other women.

Kaysibabes · Answer

Compromise wear a vest under your clothes - and I think everyone will be happy

Swampy · Answer

No they can't unless it is written in the dress code and distributed to all employees.

Can my employer force me to wear a bra?

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