2. Talk to your employer

It can be scary and very difficult to talk to your employer about your rights. But it's important to do this if you need accommodation.

The law says that your employer cannot threaten or punish you for talking about or acting on your human rights.

Talk to a lawyer

It’s a good idea to talk to a lawyer before speaking to your employer.

A lawyer can help you decide what to say and how to say it. They might be able to speak to your employer for you. And they might be able to help you decide what to do next if you’re not happy with how your employer deals with your complaint.

Step 4 has more information about speaking to a lawyer.

Ask for accommodation

To ask for accommodation, you can write a letter to your employer. Your letter can include details about:

• the dress code and why you think it goes against your human rights
• how your religion, gender identity, or other personal characteristic, makes it hard to follow the dress code
• what accommodation you're asking for

You can also include the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s checklist and policy statement.

Work with your employer

Your employer might want to talk to you about your concerns. Think about what suggestions you can give to your employer for an accommodation.

The law says that you and your employer must work together to find a solution.

The accommodation you get might not be the same as what you asked for. But it must be reasonable. For example, this means that your employer might let you:

• wear a hijab or other religious head covering
• wear your religious clothing under your uniform
• wear a long-sleeved shirt under a uniform t-shirt
• move to a job in the company where the clothing rule does not apply
• offer different clothing options and allow you to choose without putting pressure on you

Keep notes

Make sure to take notes if you speak to your employer.

Try to take the notes right away and send them to yourself by email. This can help to prove the date that you spoke with your employer and made the notes.

Save messages

Save any messages that you get from your employer. This might be emails, text messages, or letters.

Keep copies in a safe place at home or on your personal computer or phone, not at work.

Take a support person

You can ask someone to support you when you talk to your employer. This could be a co-worker or someone from your union. They can be a witness to what happens and what your employer says.