This happened in California, I work for a grocery store
TL:DR
Is this illegal?
I was sent home because of my allergy
My bag is see through and my trainer went looking for stuff from the outside without permission.
I was sent home by someone who presented themselves as management but didn't have the authority to send me home.
I recently got hired at a grocery store. When I went in for my I-9 documents I was given 2 work shirts that were two sizes too big.
I had forgotten that I put one of the shirts in my backpack and was told to report to work two days later.
The day I left for work I tried to put the shirt on and realized that it's covered in fabric softener. I double checked the dress code policy and didn't see anything that said it was mandatory to wear the shirt.
When I arrived to work the lady who was scheduled to train me rolled her eyes when I told her I'm here for my first day. She started complaining that I was scheduled to start during her lunch break. She asked me if anyone told me that I need to wear the shirt, I told her no and that I checked the dress code as well. Her response was that I needed to wear the shirt. Later I was doing trainings on the computer she looked at my bag (the design allows you to see through it) and pointed out that there is a shirt in there. I took the shirt out and put it on (to be in compliance with the policy) I told her about my allergy and explained that that was originally the reason why I didn't report to work wearing the shirt. She left the room and came back and asked if the shirt was bother me, I told her yes. Then she tells me to clock out and come back when I'm ready to work. After the fact I find out that she's not apart of the management team and doesn't have the authority to send people home.
I was not going to be interacting with customers on this shift.