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I work with a contractor (I'm a regular employee of the company) who does web design work. He's great for the department in every way, and is a very talented designer. Our manager, however does insist that he keep his long hair tied back while at work. It's down to his waist. I understand after doing some surfing that this is perfectly legal. However, we had our company picnic on Friday, on a farm that hires out for picnics. The manager told Brian he couldn't go unless he kept the hair tied back. Can she do THAT? He decided not to go because he's so tired of this sort of thing. In protest I (female) left the picnic. Any legal-types have any info for me? Thanks bunches!
Karen
I don't know about legalities, but the situation you describe sounds about as stupid as anything I've ever heard. (Well, not quite, I've heard many stupid things over the years involving men's hair length.) I want to scream "This issue was dealt with in the 1960's, for God's sake, and even some executives ended up with long hair without the world ending; can't we learn from history that a fashion choice isn't going to be the end of the all-important corporate existance?!!!)
I'm on a rant, but I don't care. I just have no patience anymore for anyone dictating conformity to another concerning something so ultimately personal as hair length, especially when it has little or nothing to do with one's talents, skills, character, or job performance. It's such a silly, absurd waste of time, time which could be used so preciously with things that really matter.
I don't know about the legal side of things, but I think asking someone to tie their hair back at a function, albeit a company one, is going too far. Unfortunately, I think refusing to go was probably the only solution for your friend, unfair as it may be.
BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! for what Scott said here:
I will add that hair is part of one's body. There is a phrase for obsession with the body of another at work. It is "sexual harassment". "No patience" I'd concur is the appropriate response.
I use the Solid Gold hair Iron(they sell them at any Walmart, Eckerds, Walgreens etc...) The only problem I have is using it while my hair is wet. Just by touch alone would curl my hair into something worse then The little Orphan Annie.
On the plus side, when my hair is completely dry, the Solid Gold really works in the straightning process. For me that usually last till my hair is wet again.
I was wondering, Does anyone have a solution to dry, damage, fizzy, curly hair that feel like each strand wants to go its own direction?......thanks
Fortunately, as a contractor, he's not going to have to put up with Stupid Manager indefinitely. Soon, he'll be out of there.
You, on the other hand...
I would ask you to consider whether this is a boss you want to work for. The reason is, it may be a case of one usually idiotic policy/decision coming from a normally cool person, but my experience leads me to wonder if Stupid Manager is a narrow-minded control freak in general, in which case you _could_ be a lot happier working elsewhere. Examine your relationship with Stupid Manager and your job and ask yourself if it's good, or bad. Lots of people put up with horrible bosses, but there really are good bosses out there- I've got one right now.
Lee
Here is a little possible insight into the mind of the Stupid Manager.
Back in the late Sixties, a middle aged man of my aquaintaince, a university professor, made this addmission to me over dinner.
He would occasionally see an attractive head of long hair from the back or side, and begin to get sexually turned on, only to discover that the owner of the hair was a guy. When he related the story, his description was filled with anger and homophobic epithets. Perhaps he feared awakening something within himself? Perhaps he couldn't accept the fact that a certain kind of beauty turned him on.
My opinion of this man dropped considerably as a result. I could picture this otherwise admirable man, wielding a baseball bat against a TV/CD who "fooled" him.
The boss is still a jerk. Perhaps this story may help define what kind of jerk he is.
I don't know if this makes a difference but the boss in this case is a woman.
That is REALLY weird. Unless you start factoring in her insecurities/self esteem issues...Does she consider long haired men as competing in an arena where only women have a right to tread?
I used to get something akin to this from an occasional woman, back when I used to get my bob trimmed at a salon.
From a legal standpoint consider this: Could any manager make such hairstyle regulations so freely with a female employee?
The real question here is weather or not she requires both male and female to tie their long hair back. If she only has this rule for males, or worse yet, just this one guy, then it looks like she just has something personal against guys with long hair, and he could possibly bring a sexual harrasment case against her. Please note that I am not involved in law in any way and this is just my opinion and thoughts on the matter.
Plus, if he's as talented at his job as you say he is, then I'm sure he could easily find a more open minded manager to work for with no problem. And if the managers views in this matter bother you as much as they seem to, maybe you should get out of her shadow too, but be sure and let her know why you are leaving, hopefully that will make her think and possibly open her mind a bit.
Good Luck and let us know what happens.