In order to comply with the requirements of the
Equality Act 2010, employers should, where reasonably practicable, accommodate the requirements of the different religions or beliefs of their employees when drawing up a dress or appearance code. Some of the clothing or appearance requirements of
commonly practised religions and beliefs in the UK are listed below. 1
| Religion or belief |
Clothing/appearance requirements |
| Buddhism |
Many Buddhists prefer not to wear products such as leather shoes that go against their non-harm to self and others belief. |
| Christianity |
Some Christian churches forbid the use of cosmetics and require their female members to dress in a modest fashion. |
| Hinduism |
Many Hindus wear a red spot (tilak) on their forehead. Many married Hindu women wear a necklace (mangal sutra) in addition to a wedding ring. Some Orthodox Hindu men wear a small tuft of hair (shikha), which is similar to a ponytail. |
| Islam |
Muslims are required to cover the body and may therefore be unwilling to wear shorts or skirts. Many Muslim women will wish to wear a hijab to cover their hair. |
| Judaism |
Orthodox Jewish women are required to dress modestly and may not want to wear trousers, short skirts or short-sleeved garments. They wear a wig (sheitle) to cover their hair. Orthodox Jewish men keep their hair covered. |
| Rastafarianism |
Rastafarians wear their hair in dreadlocks, often covered by a red, green and gold hat. |
| Sikhism |
Practising male Sikhs observe the five Ks: Kesh (uncut hair); Kangha (wooden comb); Kara (steel bangle); Kirpan (symbolic dagger worn under the clothing); and Kaccha (knee-length undershorts). Sikh men and some women wear a turban. |
1Employers should be aware that practices will vary between individuals and within religions. |
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