Petition · past parliament

Make it illegal for a company to require only women to wear makeup at work

Closed 68 signatures

What the petition asks

Following Nicola Thorp's petition on high heels, it should also be illegal to require women to wear makeup at work, except in circumstances where it genuinely is required and a man would also be required to do so (e.g. theatrical productions, but there is no excuse for offices).
Makeup is expensive (and cannot normally be claimed back as a work expense), time consuming (you won't normally get paid for that time) and can damage skin. Contrary to sexist stereotypes not all women have been wearing it daily since their teens, and some would actually be unable to do a professional-looking makeup job at all. This should not stop someone getting a job. Note that most schools actually ban children, including older teens, from wearing it.

Timeline

16 May 2016 Petition opened for signatures
16 Nov 2016 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 68
Status Closed
Opened 16 May 2016
Closed 16 Nov 2016

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.