Do you think an employer should have the right to dictate hairstyles worn in the workplace?

Question

If yes, to what extent? Do you think hairstyles commonly thought/known to be worn by people of particular races should be a consideration? Do you think exceptions should be given to "ethnic hairstyles" to avoid accusations of discrimination? Do you think that employer preference, with regards to hairstyle, is ever an indication of racial discrimination?

I'm in the middle of answering a question concerning this issue, so I'm just curious as to what y'all think about the matter.

To what extent (if any) do you think an employer should be permitted to dictate hairstyles worn by employees?

Explain your opinions.

Thanks.

Answer 1

We work around a lot of moving machinery so we have to wear our hair up or cut it shoulder length.
If a person works in an eating establishment then they should have to wear it short and/or a hairnet.
If a person works in an office or with the public then they shouldn't have their hair all different colors or crazily cut.
As far as ethnicity, that shouldn't make any difference if the rules apply to everyone, i.e. putting hair up and color.

Answer 2

I think much of it has to do with health and safety issues. People using certain types of power equipment definitely need to keep their hair away from their work. Same thing in the food industry, who likes finding a hair in their mashed potatoes?I think ethnic hairstyles should have to be netted or cover by a hat when working under these conditions.
All other facts aside, not every hair regulation is a matter of prejudice. Like Freud said"Sometime a cigar is just a cigar"
You always have the choice not to work for that employer,and as long as his decision isn't based on a protected characteristic such as race, religion, etc. that is his choice on what meets a groominmg code.

Answer 3

I think, if an employer is to hire an individual, prior to or during the process of hiring, the employer should mention or outline those things related to his/her presentation while at work or with its facility. The employer may want to maintain a professional environment. which may include hair, clothing attire as well as weather or not you could dye your hair from its natural color, due to the alteration in ones identity. The company may ask all men to be shave, unless they came to the company with a beard. The company may also show illustrated examples of what a clean shave is to resemble. A fault in either of these areas just might cost the company thousands. As a Black male, I fail to understand how braids on a man can be considered professional in the work place, nor should a man be asked to wear a cover on his head unless he is around food. It would be different if there was some type of religious aspect behind it, but it would be rare to find that. Most companies are not into the style thing. You either dress accordingly or you will not be hired. A company's policy should be a requirement for maintaining a professional appearance and being well groomed for both male and female.

Answer 4

I personally don't think an employer should have this right. However, if the length/style of someones hair could cause harm in the work place, I believe that the employer has the responsibility to either try to accommodate or to point out the risk to the employee.

IE: Hair nets are usually required in jobs that involve the preparation of food. This cuts down on the chances of a person's hair getting into the food w/o dictating an employee's hair choices.

Answer 5

A very complicated question without knowing the job.

As a rule, a business is allowed to say no crazy colors (like blue or green, etc.). But as a rule they cannot say anything about colors like blond, brunette, white, black. But while black girls usually come with only brown, dark brown, or a reddish-tinged brown using this rule they would not be allowed to be blonde. But of course that would be discrimination (the white girl can do it, why not the black one?). So you've got to be careful there. Black girls can go with blond just as much as a white girl, but both can be blocked from going blue or green or something crazy. And this also goes for guys (nearly forgot myself, discrimination can sneak up on you).

Then we get to style itself. Obviously the employee should be well-groomed (hair combed and no bed-head), but most styles cannot be blocked. However, in the food industry the hair must be held back in some form to prevent it from getting into the food. In situations like factories, it must also be held back so that it doesn't get caught in machinery (and the employer is required to say so so that they don't get sued if the employee does get hurt in this fashion).

As far as head coverings (the most easily recalled one would be Muslim women shawls or burqas, but there are probably others), in America they cannot be banned (though many have and probably will continue to try to do so). It is a religious expression, and is in no way endangering anyone else.

Then we get to beards. Some companies can block facial hair and require it being cut, but not if it is religious expression (again Muslims the most notable but certainly not by themselves).

Way too complicated if you ask me, but that is the price for living in a country that allows free expression in religion and speech.

Answer 6

If the hairstyle worn by an employee does not cause any harm to anybody in the workplace ( I mean objectionable odor or something which disturbs others in the workplace), I do not think the employer have any right to dictate an employee about his/her hairstyle.

Answer 7

I am sorry, but I think that if the hairstyle makes the person look like something from a carnival and upsets or causes patrons to not want to eat in the establishment, then the answer should be yes. Something goes for facial piercings and tattoos that can be seen. Anything garish no matter what race is wearing it does not have to be accepted by management. I personally would not want someone with a headful of dreadlocks bringing me my dinner.

Answer 8

Absolutely the employer should have a say. The hairstyle should be appropriate for the profession. I don't think any of the "ethnic" hairstyles have any thing to do with it, has to do with appropriate or not.

Answer 9

A place of business is owned and paid for by the person who pays the bills. Clearly he can set the standards for the dress code of his business. If he wants hair cut to a certain length then the employees must adhere to this request. Ethnic hairstyles are generally not accepted by the public. In fact, many of them are gross. If a person does not like this code he can quit and work elsewhere.

Answer 10

Not really. Only in extreme cases. For example, if an employee wears a bright pink mohawk, in a situation where said mohawk is distracting or hurts business, it's not appropriate for the workplace.