The government has published its response to the House of Commons Petitions Committee and Women and Equalities Committee joint report on dress codes in the workplace, which came about as a result of a petition signed by more than 150,000 people.
The response states that the government takes the issue of discriminatory dress codes very seriously. However, the government has rejected any recommendations which would require legislative change, favouring an approach based on detailed guidance, an awareness campaign and "persuasive enforcement" by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.
Detailed new guidance on dress codes, produced in conjunction with the Government Equalities Office, ACAS and the Health and Safety Executive is expected to be published during summer 2017.