Bartender sues Harrah’s for requiring her to wear makeup, alleging discrimination

Martin Griffith

Monday, July 9, 2001 | 10:53 a.m.

RENO -- A bartender fired for refusing to wear makeup has sued Harrah's Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas, claiming the gambling company's dress code discriminates against women.

Darlene Jespersen, 45, was fired last August after working 21 years at Harrah's Reno, shortly after the company imposed the makeup rules.

"(The policy) discriminates against women by subjecting them to terms and conditions of employment to which men are not ... subjected," the federal lawsuit says.

The case has sparked protests by women's and workers' groups at Harrah's resorts in Reno and Las Vegas, and is being closely watched by the gambling industry.

Harrah's Reno spokeswoman Kerri Garcia said the company does not comment on litigation.

The policy requires women to wear makeup and teased, curled or styled hair. It prohibits male employees from wearing ponytails or hair below the top of shirt collars.

Earlier this year Harrah's offered Jespersen her job back, telling her she wouldn't have to follow the policy. But Jespersen spurned the deal, saying the policy would have remained in effect for other workers.

"It's the principle of the thing that concerns me," she said. "I never had anybody push a drink back at me because my lips weren't red."

She is seeking more than $10,000 in damages, plus back pay.