They must be running out of things to ban in California.
Because this next one is a doozy.
One mayor in Southern California has said that he wants to ban workplace dress codes requiring people to wear neckties.
Rex Parris, mayor of Lancaster, said that the fashion statement restricts blood flow to the brain and should be banned.
Last week, the mayor was reading the blog Big Think when he came across a post on a new study that suggests wearing neckties may lower blood flow to the brain.
The blog post contends that restricting circulation by such an amount — 7.5% on average, according to the research — could have fatal implications for someone with high blood pressure. And prior research shows that cerebral circulation is associated with creativity.
Neckties cut off blood flow to brain and shouldn’t be required, says Lancaster mayor https://t.co/fSd8sRJJ0R
— Daily Breeze (@DailyBreezeNews) July 12, 2018
“I spend a lot of hours every week on an elliptical or a bike just to increase blood flow to my brain, and it turns out every morning when I put on a tie I’m diminishing it,” Parris said.
“I spend a lot of hours every week on an elliptical or a bike just to increase blood flow to my brain, and it turns out every morning when I put on a tie I’m diminishing it,” Parris said.
The mayor might be trying to claim something that is already happening. The necktie’s presence in corporate America is waning of late. In 2015, a Human Rights Commission in New York City said requiring men to wear neckties is the same as demanding women wear skirts because of their gender.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate in America today to make anyone do something that is now known to be detrimental to your health. Especially if it’s based on gender,” Parris said.
Of course, a ban on dress codes would run into legal issues …
Michael Colantuono, a municipal lawyer, said the move would be unprecedented.
Parris ran the idea by the city attorney at a City Council meeting Tuesday, the Orange County Register reported. In order to approve the measure the city would be required to prove ties are detrimental to public health.
“I’m aware I’m going out on a ledge, but I live my life on ledges,” Parris said. “We’re interested in going in a positive direction until we’re stopped.”
But Parris, an established litigator for more than 30 years, said he hasn’t stopped wearing ties completely just yet.
Over the past five years, there’s been a 10% jump in employers that allow casual dress any day of the week. About half of U.S. companies now permit a more relaxed wardrobe, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.
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