looking for a bit of help please. Your all probably fed up of me moaning about my job but they always seem to surprise me so here goes a new one...... We've got a new manager starting mid-September, who seems lovely by the way, friendly etc. I found out today from our current stand-in 'supervisor' she doesn't like any facial piercings or un-natural hair colours and that when she starts perm based with us this will be addressed and changed. I have my lower lip pierced (small stud) and my tongue - I also have dyed bright red hair (not pillar box red but bright enough) I am the only person in the centre that has non-natural dyed hair (I am however a red head by nature as am ginger lol) and facial piercings, my team are currently uninterested and basically have told me that I'd have to take them out and dye my hair a 'normal' colour. I've had all these items ever since I started. They interviewed me with my piercings and red hair and gave me the job 3 years ago. Am I wrong in saying I refuse to change my hair and remove my studs. I am who I am, it doesn't effect my job and the fact that THEY employed me like this....
Thoughts? xx
Met 2013
Propsed 2014
Will Be Mrs Brookes 2016
always & forever xxx
CommentAuthorMrsEmmaP
I agree with you! They shouldn't be telling you how you should look as it doesn't effect your job in any way. I used to have bright red hair and in my last job worked on a reception desk so I was seen by clients etc all day, they never told me I needed to change the colour of my hair and I wouldn't have even if they wanted me to! Surely they can't just bring in a new rule like that? They took you on whilst you had them so they can't have had a problem with it! Stand by it and argue your point! That's what I'd do! xx
Got together on 14th March 2010
Got engaged on 25th December 2013
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CommentAuthorEmily17
I wouldn't have thought that they can say things like that. Unless you are customer facing etc and it could affect your work then its understandable. But if its just that she doesn't like it then she should suck it up and get a life!
Ask where is your personal statement, job description, contract it says you cant dress like you do
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CommentAuthorKayleighS46
I'm not customer facing I work in a call centre upstairs so I don't interact with customers in that respect, I just answer the phone! Were up and out the way of everything so we never get seen.
There is only a section in relation to 'work wear' as far as I can see - no jeans, short skirts, logo's etc but nothing about hair, make up or piercings! I went for a customer facing role interview today who did say to remove piercings and tone the hair down as its too bright for his liking, which, as I'd be changing my role, I 100% respect and would do. But I don't see why I need to change it doing the same role in the same place!! xx
Met 2013
Propsed 2014
Will Be Mrs Brookes 2016
always & forever xxx
CommentAuthorFlossie
edited
I think it would be very unfair if they were to ask you to change things about your personal appearance. Like already said, the way you look has nothing to do with how well you can do your job. If they were to ask you to change your appearance then I'm pretty sure they would actually be contravening the Equality and Diversity Act in some way?! They don't really have a leg to stand on if they recruited you looking the same as you do now... x
Thanks Flossie, that's what I thought but the rest of my team are basically saying tough I'd just have to dye it and take them out but I don't want too and I refuse to for a job that I've been in for 3 years and never been told to change! xx
Met 2013
Propsed 2014
Will Be Mrs Brookes 2016
always & forever xxx
CommentAuthorInDreamland
Check your company policy. They should have a policy covering appearance/dress code but whatever it is they need to justify why it is set that way.
She can only enforce policy.
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CommentAuthorInDreamland
There is no breach of the Equality Act unless it's in relation to a protected characteristic.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorclairenina
what she "likes or dislikes" is irrelevant. What is your company dress code? Were you recruited with dyed hair piercings? I don't know what the official ruling is within your company, or even if there is one. How do you know she doesn't like these things? Has it been made official, or is it the scaremongering rumour mill? I know some industries (customer FACING roles) often stipulate within contract terms that hair colour must be of natural appearance, and no facial piercings or tattoo's that may be deemed offensive.
If I were in your shoes, and I had been employed with current appearance, have an exemplary work record etc, I wouldn't be concerned. If the T&C's were changed at corporate level (not by her), then I would re-evaluate whether I wanted to adhere, or move on.
Try not to worry, my guess is the rumour mill is making it out to be more than it is.
CommentAuthorFlossie
It's still not right. A company should celebrate diversity and encourage it.
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xx
CommentAuthorInDreamland
My advice is from me having my work hat on - I'm a senior manager in HR.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorKayleighS46
They have a dress code one but there doesn't seem to be anything on appearance?
Yes 9i was employed like this with bright red hair - in fact it was brighter then it is now - and with piercings (I even had my nose pierced as well when I started but have since taken it out)
It no-where stipulates - to my knowledge (have looked through the company handbook) specific hair colours/styles or piercings. Its more than just a rumour clairenina, its not yet been signed as such but it is something they are def putting in place. They now also want us to be suited and booted so a uniform is currently being discussed and on the way. She made it clear she does not like 'wild' hair colourants or facial jewellery lol!!
Well I happen to quite like who I am and what I look like, plus I want my red hair when I get married and I wont be dying it just to dye it back in 8 months time! lol xx
Met 2013
Propsed 2014
Will Be Mrs Brookes 2016
always & forever xxx
CommentAuthorEmily17
IDL, I understand what you are saying but surely if she has been working there for 3 years with the same appearance then she isn't breaking any policy?
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CommentAuthorSam G 2b May 2016
I don't think they have any leg to stand on with regards to being able to enforce that, their only option if you refuse it to dismiss you, in which case you have the right to take them to a tribunal if there is nothing in the policy to support their actions. As an employer they should want to avoid a tribunal at all costs so I imagine when confronted about the issue they would just stand down.
I wouldn't worry about it until someone physically gives you an order to change your appearance (highly doubt it will happen).
CommentAuthorFlossie
I'd tell them to get stuffed. Your appearance has nothing to do with your ability to work and you have 3 years behind you to back that fact up. You can't be expected to change who you are just because someone doesn't personally like it!
Happily married
18th June 2016
xx
CommentAuthorInDreamland
Just because she doesn't personally like it doesn't mean she'll ask others to change, unless there is a policy and business reason for it.
As you said it's been 3 years and if it's not been a problem so far it's unlikely to be one going forward unless they change your job to one customer/client facing. Use that as your reasons if anything is said.
I work in a corporate environment and one of my colleagues who does the same job as me has hair partially dyed a reddish pink.
Try not to worry about it until it happens.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorMrs Jones
I am sure there must be some company policy that they will need to back this up with. Her personal preferences cannot and should not dictate how things are done, unless there is something from your HR department that backs this up.
I work for the NHS and one of our managers has bright red dreadlocks and a nose stud and another has a gothic appearance. Both are good at their jobs and neither have been asked to change the way that they look. If there was some Health and Safety implication if you were working with heavy machinery, fair enough, but if it's not affecting the way you do your job, you are in a call centre, then I really don't think this manager has a leg to stand on....
Good luck :-)
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CommentAuthorErinP42
Doesn't matter what she likes or not. If they employed you as you are and didn't say then to change and nothing in policy they can't make you change and if they try take it to tribunal!
CommentAuthorclairenina
Completely agree Kayleigh. It's a sorry state of affairs that in 2015 that this even needs to be raised as an issue. Nobody is harming anyone, you love the way you look, you're not posing a H&S risk to yourself or anyone else. I also don't think you are wrong for refusing to remove them, as it sounds like there's no policy on piercings hair dye, and they wanted you the way you are at interview. I wish I had your strength (I have been bullied and brow-bashed in the past by an employer).
CommentAuthorKayleighS46
Thanks guys! Glad to see that you guys see the same as me then lol - as I said if I'm changing roles I completely understand but staying in the same place/role I don't see the issue.
I just caught another member of the team talking about me - door was open and she didn't see I was there. What a lovely place I work in. Cant trust any of them anymore xx
Met 2013
Propsed 2014
Will Be Mrs Brookes 2016
always & forever xxx
CommentAuthorElinor Claire
The only thing I would say from the other side is, is there a general move to tighten up company discipline? It could be that asking everyone to dress smartly, possibly in uniform, and adhere to rules on hair and piercings, is intended to make everyone feel differently about their role. Being smart and in uniform can increase someone's pride in their work and identity as part of a company. I'm not saying she's right to do it, she should really have discussed it and got people's feelings on it. However I can see why she might want to do it.
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CommentAuthorKirstyR386
If a new policy was brought in, you might have to take out the piercings e.g. I'm an engineer so health and safety would be a big factor for us. But as you haven't heard anything like that then I would just wait to see what happens when it does. X
CommentAuthorVelcro
id be telling them to get stuffed
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