'Sometimes you just want to wear pants'

Female servers and hostesses at Earls St. Albert celebrated the news that their workplace is now skirt optional.

The upscale casual dining establishment updated its dress code last week to allow female servers to wear “a black skirt, no shorter than one inch above the knee, or a straight cut plain black pant.”

Hostess Lydia Herfst said she's never had a problem with the previous dress code, but is happy she now has more choice in what she wears to work.

“I do love wearing a skirt and heels, but the option now is nice, especially in the winter,” she said. “You're allowed to wear tights, but wearing pants is obviously nice … Sometimes you just want to wear pants.”

The previous dress code made only mention of a black skirt (no shorter than one inch above the knee.) Pants were allowed upon request – although Herfst is under the impression pants were simply off limits to front of house female staff.

The update follows the release of an Ontario Human Rights Commission policy position on gender-specific dress codes. In recognition of International Women's Day last Tuesday, the OHRC called for the end of sexualized dress codes that reinforce sexist stereotypes and “send the message that an employee's worth is tied to how they look.”

“We were unaware we were in contravention of the Ontario Human Rights Code until recently,” reads the update, “and consequently female servers will now be offered the choice of pants or a skirt rather than having to request it.”

Earls operates five locations in Ontario, 25 in Alberta and another 26 locations in B.C., the Prairies and the U.S.

Under the Alberta Human Rights Commission employers have the right to set reasonable appearance and grooming standards “unless these standards interfere with an employee's religion or physical well-being.”

The commission notes that standards and codes “should not be used to exclude an individual from employment or to treat an employee adversely” based on gender.

Although it is not explicitly stated anywhere on the commission's website, spokesperson Susan Coombes indicated that “anything that sexualizes a person would be something that the (Alberta) human rights commission would be concerned about” and could be grounds for complaint.

Earls has come under fire for its dress code and hiring policies in the past, most recently by CBC's Marketplace, where one young woman described having to wear a skirt “no longer than where her fingertips fell when at her sides, about six inches above her knee” during the four years she worked at the kitchen and bar.

The update posted on Earls website claims that female servers “are not, nor have they ever been, required to wear short skirts, skimpy clothing, heavy makeup or high heels” and indicates that a complete redesign of the chain's dress code is currently underway.

This new dress code would see male and female servers “in similar suggested dress code style in the future.”

Herfst said that as much as Earls is known for its “girls,” the restaurant has been working to improve its image. Recently staff was told to dress more conservatively.

Herfts has never received unwanted attention from fellow staff, management or patrons because of the dress code, but has been criticized by older patrons for the clothing she is required to wear at work.

Earls corporate office could not be reached for comment.