can company fire you for having a outragious hairstyle and color?

Question

lets say i wanna dye my hair blue and make a mohawk
and i do customer service

Answer 1

In short, yes.

A company can fire an employee for breaking their dress code, whether it's in the employee handbook (or where ever their rules are) or not. While you always have the option of fighting it with legal action, a company has the right to set standards that their employees must follow, including hair, clothing, makeup, accessories, and anything else pertaining to appearance. And since you work in customer service, it makes it much worse than if you worked in a private office. You are dealing with the public, you are representing the company, and part of your job is promoting the company's image. A blue Mohawk doesn't make a very positive impression.

Answer 2

Simple answer: Yes.

Though if you work in a music store or Hot Topix, you probably won't get fired. If you work in a bank or an office, depending on the company's policies, you might. Is there an employee handbook? Some companies dictate what you can wear, how you groom yourself and even what you do outside work. Check with your human resources department, if there is one, or ask your boss.

"Most organizations have some sort of appearance standards or guidelines that explain to employees what dress and grooming practices are appropriate for the workplace. Generally, employers have three business-related reasons for implementing these types of standards: (1) to present or create a professional or identifiable appearance for customers, suppliers, and the public; (2) to promote a positive working environment and limit distractions caused by outrageous, provocative, or inappropriate dress; and (3) to ensure safety while working. Employers typically base their dress policy choices on the presumption that employees at all levels and job positions are representatives of the organization and, therefore, their dress, grooming, and personal hygiene affect both the public’s impression of the business and internal morale."

They might not be able to base the termination on your hair, but they can ask you to change your hairstyle and if you don't comply, you could be terminated for insubordination.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Your appearcnce is an extention of the company. If a company tolerated an employees wild style they probably are lax in other areas such as quality control and cleanliness (if it is a restaurant). So customers who have direct contact with the employee may not find thier sense of individuality entertaining and decide not to buy the products or service. When employee self-expression hurts the bottom line (which companies only survive to make money not to provide jobs) they have to handle the problem hurting thier bottom line. If you worked in a creative environment and you weren't in direct contact with customers like in a software development area for videogames then wild personalities and blue hair would be tolerated and even encouraged if it enabled you to perform better. But at the Gap or the local telephone company it would not be advisable. Look in your company handbook, it may say something about it.

Answer 4

The problem is, even if they legally can't fire you (nothing mentioned in the handbook etc., see previous answers), if your boss doesn't like it, he will find another way to make your work life unpleasant, from delaying signing your request for a day off, to not giving you a chance to get promoted, to firing you for another imaginary but legal reason.
It is not a good idea for your carrier to make an enemy out of your boss. Ask him if he would mind you doing so, and if he is against, then don't do it, it isn't worth it. If you surprise him appearing like that to work you won't be able to reason with him, you should speak to him before you do it.
If he says "no" and you want to look cool on partyes, consider using one-night-sprays for the evening, they color your hair and you can wash them away on the next morning.

Answer 5

Well lets just say it depends on the company, if it is say Hot topic. not much of a problem, Smith-Barney, serious financial services folks... I see unemployment in your future.

Sad but true.
If I have an employee who comes to work in inappropriate dress for the workplace I will greatly encourage that employee to return with acceptable attire. NOW, and I'm not paying them to go get their clothes, they were hired being aware of our dress code, and so its on them.

I have no problem with mohawk if well groomed, and does not detract from professional image, and I suppose the shade of blue woud be another issue.
if it is so black it is blue.. might be ok... if looks like Lego blue.. no way.

Answer 6

Ask your boss. If you're in customer services he'll probably say you can't. People aren't accustomed to blue hair and Mohawks. The company might lose customers because of that.

Answer 7

I know it seems unfair, but a comapny can require you to have a busineeslike appearance. if you are in view of customers there is a good chance you will get fired if you dye your hair blue.Also, if you are most likely an employee at will and can be fired for no reason at anytime, as long as it is not discriminatory..race sex age religion etc.

Answer 8

Yes.
Your appearance and actions has to reflect the company's image - that's what they pay you for.
But customer service is a pretty lax field of work... I bet you could get away with it, but you might want to ask the other co-workers of there is a history of firing people with funky hair.

Answer 9

Depends if you signed a "handbook" and how the dress code was wrote. If there is nothing that says No blue hair or Mohawks then you have nothing to worry about!

Answer 10

I would say to look in your company handbook and see if there is anything in the dress code section about it. It depends on the company you are working for. If in doubt..ask your boss.
I am all about expressing personal style, but will it be worth it to lose your job?