It depends. FEHA prohibits employment discrimination based on appearance-based characteristics such as race (including hairstyles), color, disability, sex, or age. In addition, various California counties have ordinances prohibiting employment discrimination based on other factors, such as weight and height. Companies can impose dress code and grooming standards as long as they are consistent. But if an employee's tattoo or piercing represents his/her religious beliefs, FEHA arguably should protect the employee from being fired over it.