new thread
Hello,
I will tell you my story about workplace discrimination.
I am a perfectionist when I work...I am in a Civil Service job...I have been used in capacities which I was praised for that I have not been paid for...I was told by my boss 6 years ago when I was about to be promoted:
"You will never get promoted here! I have short hair, used to have hair down my back. Even if you get your hair cut I will not trust that you would not grow it back!" How can this statement stand in America in a Civil Service job?
Along with the state tests that we take and the longevity and good evaluations...we are to be promoted. I have met all the requirements and have not been promoted since.
I was placed into a different job that is pared down. I used to speak and teach in front of many individuals from schools...I was taken from the spotlight because of my hair. I had been going to schools performing my job and was well liked. But this manager changed that as well.
I have two current tests that I am listed on.
I was also told that long hair means drugs and that is why you can not have it long. I answered saying that I take state tests and am a great employee...so, of course, I will get ahead. Never happens.
To me long hair means growing up in the 60s and being for peace, it also makes me think of very important men like Benjamin Franklin, who began the University and Library systems. I think of George Washington and Albert Einstein, Paul Revere, and John Lennon who strove to make this a world where war was a thing of the past. I like the company.
Is there anyone who can help me fight this?
I have gone to my union in the past and am still in this predicament.
At this point it is not only a promotion that I seek.
This problem has effected my outlook on life, my self image and has kept money from me and my family. I have been hidden away and discriminated against for far too long.
Thanks
Rik
Hi Rik,
As I understand it, anti-discrimination laws can vary greatly from state to state, especially re. discrimination towards longhairs. Here in California, the laws are very much in our favor. One of our longtime members here, Bill Choisser, has a law dgree and could answer your question way better than I can. In the Links section here at MLHH there is also a great read written by him called, "On Being A Longhair" -- it's been awhile since I last read it, but possibly some of your questions may even be answered in there (can't remember for sure, though)... Hopefully either Bill or electros (also another lawyer here at MLHH, but in the East Coast of the US) will see your thread here and reply to it.
The only suggestion that I can think of if I were in your shoes is that it's always a good idea to keep a little work log book / diary kind of thing, recording and dating and narrating comments like what you said above that your boss has said to you, being as accurate as you possibly can in quoting him word-for-word. He's made it very clear to you that he's even going to be a thorn in your side EVEN IF YOU CUT YOUR HAIR (how stupid is THAT!!!) -- if that isn't "discrimination", then I don't know what is!
It also might help if you can get any of your co-workers on your side about this, who are willing to vouch for your good character, wonderful work ethic, and who know you are being labeled as a druggie just because of your hair length. If anybody ever accused me of being a drug addict, I have so many friends and work associates who would not only laugh in the face of any accuser, but also probably do anything and everything they could to make that person's life miserable. Hell, I was raised a Christian Scientist: I never even took my first aspirin until I was well into my 30's (LOL)!!!! With my hair down to my belt now, though, I guess I'd be labeled a drug addict by your boss anyway, regardless [sigh]...
My best to you, and I hope that others who will respond here might be able to give you even more helpful info to help you fight your battle against such unfair discrimination.
- Ken in San Francisco
A couple a events have happened to me. In the 60's, at Naval Air Station, Memphis, TN. Walking to the Chow Hall. SCPO pulled his auto to the curb. . .told me, "get a haircut sailor, or he'd write me up". Did my time, got out without getting my ass shot off. Went to work fo USGS, National Mapping Division, of a Fed Ctr. Branch Chief actually took $2 buck outta his wallet and gave it to me, ordered me to get a haircut. Both times I did as directed. Now I'm a little older duff, hair ain't that long, but it's over my collar and ears enough to cover my Bluetooth Stereo headset. I'm a Graveyard Shift Security watch, don't think the mice care much. . .lots of managers for the company I'm contracted too look at me ascance. Wonder how long affore someone else tells me, "get a haircut sailor". Life's bitch. . .then you die. I wonder if one of these stressed out suckers collapses on the deck in front of me if I'll consider grabbing my CPR/AED Cert card, and saying, just a minute fella, I'll be right back. . .after I get a haircut. Prolly a fantacy, but I wonder sometimes.
Cheers,
otrpu
Get a lawyer. Get one who is familiar with the civil service system you are in. Your situation as you've reported it has progressed far beyond what you can handle yourself.
Good luck,
Bill
Rik;
Of all the discrimination stories we have heard on this board that is the most blatantly insulting.....as others have said.....get a lawyer !! and please let us know how it goes.
Good Luck
WWT (Walter White Tail)
In addition to the good advice you've already gotten. I
encourage you to continue working with the union. If you are
covered under a collective bargaining agreement the Union is
obligated by law to try and deal with your situation. If they
don't they're in violation of the National Labor Relations Act.
After all that's what you paid dues for is for them to fight in
your corner.
Kevin
Good advice. But that iron lady with the handbag killed alot of unions back in the 80's with her legislation. Remember she "wasn't for turning!"
Her cohort, that "acting" president did the same thing!
peace, jonalbear
You mean the one who had Alzheimer's?......While he was president!
Keep in mind though, that unions pick and choose their battles, based on matters such as how many members they will affect and how tough they will be to win. It's happened in the past to longhairs - your union may decide to toss you under a bus. Your lawyer won't, and he may also see to it that your union doesn't.
Bill
I would still suggest pushing the Union as far as it will go
in an effort to exhaust all options before getting a lawyer so
you can say to the lawyer "I tried and tried and this is what I
did and what they said"
Even Lawyers loose from time to time.
Kevin
Wow that goes well beyond the pale. I'd certainl get some legal presentation.
Cheers,
John.B
Hi Rik
Your boss is an ex-longhair, sometimes that's the worst kind. They cut their hair and now they expect all others to do the same. Man, I hate those guys.
You already got some sound advice form everybody else so all I can add is; you keep us posted and we'll keep you motivated.
Paul
Rik wrote: "I was also told that long hair means drugs and that is why you can not have it long."
Take a drug test: if it's clear, you're clear; therefore, long hair does not mean drugs.
It's sickening that this bullshit is still readily accepted in the general public. Like everyone said, get a lawyer, take a drug test, and bring your case up. Don't ignore it.
Those people who discriminte because of your hair, they need to take a look at reality. Long hair does not mean drugs. I am going to Bible Collage to train to be a pastor. A pastor on drugs??? give me a break. Drug are against my religion and I hate what drugs do to people. Those people who discriminate do not hav a real hold on life.
Birdman
I'm going to take a slightly different response to this. While your boss's admission obviously makes hair discrimination a big part of the picture, I just want to suggest the possibility that hair isn't the only problem you may have with management. Notice that he said it wouldn't matter if you cut it?
We don't know what your job is, or how you are evaluated. It sounds like part of it is oral presentations. Are you required to do written communications as well? The reason why I mention this is that your posting is, sorry to mention this, quite poorly written. While you get most of your points across, there's enough weird phraseology to make me guess that English isn't your first language. And there's nothing wrong with that- you're better with English than I am with the other languages I've studied, and English is especially difficult for non-native speakers, from what I understand. Plus nobody should be expected to speak just like a native- that's xenophobic. But, to be honest, if your oral presentations are at the same level as this writing sample is, your boss can make an excellent case that you're not a good fit for the job.
Or it may be that the hair thing is just a cover for discrimination more sinister- maybe your boss is biased against your ethnicity or national origin. Or, conversely, he may be afraid that bringing up your limited English will be wrongly taken as a sign of such discrimination. Or perhaps he doesn't give you honest feedback about your language skills (or any other shortcomings) because he doesn't want you to improve and succeed because he envies your hair. He may hate you because he sold out and got a haircut and you haven't.
Employment issues can be opaque and mysterious- it seems that true intentions and reasons for decisions are seldom divulged, at least in my experience, so I just wanted to mention the possibility that your situation may actually be more complicated than it appears on the surface.
Best of luck.
Is there any way you could get a transfer to another department or even another region?
It sounds like the boss is the problem. I found out the hard way that the only solution was to move. I once had a boss who was a nice guy on a personal level, but treated me like a juvenile when I was in my thirties with a lot of experience , but he was in his sixties with twenty years experience, and always acted like I was hired last week. My whole life improved when I found a better job and quit. I got fed up waiting for him to retire, and now I have a better job than his job.
As a civil servant, though, you may be able to transfer out without actually quitting. Failing that, you may find the private sector to be a breath of fresh air.