Discrimination?
My company has implemented a new hair style policy. I have been with them for a year and a half and now they are forcing limited hair styles. A french braid, dutch brad, french twist, or pony tail at the nape of the neck that is not to reach past the shoulder blades. In the pony tail the hair must be curled. I can only do one of the style myself, and my hair refuses to hold a curl AND reaches past my shoulder blades. I also wonder about women of color who pay high amounts for quality hair to damage it daily with clips and pins and holding spray. Is it a discriminatory policy for those already working for the company with long straight hair or those who have professionally applied hair? Can a company require me to suddenly cut my long hair off or force me to quit? I don't want to leave a job I love but cutting my hair off is absolutely not an option.
Answers:
Your question depends on a few things: Is your hair as long as it is for religious reasons? (if yes that may be discrimination.)
Is the reason they want your hair short for safety (do you work around or near moving equipment that long hair can get caught in?) If this is their reason it may NOT be discrimination.
In general employers may set dress codes and a code of professional conduct for their employees. But neither of these standards is allowed to encroach on your religious beliefs (other than drug use or for safety.)
I would not quit. Let them fire you if they choose to and then file a complaint with your state Human Rights Commission.
You may also call or write the State Commission for an opinion. Don't let your employer tell you it is legal just because they say it is.
This makes no sense for a civilian company, that is unless there are safety issues involved here. I would have to see this policy in writing before believing it.
What you need to do is go to have a serious conversation with your human resources director. Explain the situation, and ask what can be done. Maybe there is a style you can agree on. Good luck!
Unless you have a contract, a private employer can make and enforce uniform requirements, including hair, tattoos, piercings and such things. Without a contract, personally or via a union, employment is essentially a new contract every day and either of you are free to renegotiate every day.
While I have my doubts about the reality of your question, I'll answer it because it is a reasonable and fun question. Any company (private, not government) that implemented such hair styles would be CLEARLY trying to implement an ILLEGAL policy of discrimination. Although you could have someone do your hair in the 'French Twist' every day, and even possibly learn to do one, you are MALE and you are a Native American ... and approximately 80% of the Native American males I know (and that is well over 100 people) wear their hair LONG (to mid-back or longer), neatly 'tied' ... if it is for a job where catching their hair could be 'dangerous' they use a series of leather thongs or 'hair bands' at 3-5" apart down their 'pony tail.' You MAY be able to simply 'wear a jacket' to 'hide' the hair past your shoulders, but that would be in 'total denial' of your ethnic heritage. A similar problem would happen to Native American females, and people of color (both male and female). So ... what could you do? File a 'class discrimination' law suit. You may NOT be allowed to work, and it could take up to 20 years to go through the courts, but eventually it would get to the 'highest court in the land.' You could still LOSE, but that depends on the 'make-up' of the different courts ... so your chances would be approximately 50-50. Still, it's a very INTERESTING 'dilemma' and one that should be 'looked at' in every way. Perhaps it IS a 'real problem' ... so if so, all I can say is yes, the 'limited hairstyles' IS a form of discrimination ... and ask WHY you would WANT to continue to work for a company that actually thought it could 'get away' with such ARCHAIC discrimination.
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