Can`t Color Hair Because Of Job

Hi,

I am 17 and work at a movie theater. I was recently told that if I continued to tip my hair in green Manic Panic that I would lose my job. That really bummed me out. In fact, my boss told me that any unusual colors were banned.

My brother works at a Chili`s restaurant and he has pink hair...no problem.

My question, do you think it is fair to tell me that I can`t have green tipped hair? Isn`t this bad hair politics?

Any advice?

Eric

Well, they`re your employer. They could hand you a Bob Dole mask, pig suit, and wedding gown tomorrow, and tell you it`s your new uniform. Guess what: you`d have to wear it, or you`d be out of a job. And they`re perfectly within their rights to do it (as long as it`s explicit or implicit in your signed employment papers.)

I`m making a ridiculous case because yes, they can do this. Usually they will not be unreasonable because they need workers. In other businesses, not a movie theatre, a lot more people would want casual dress policies than green hair, so guess which one will win?


Point is, any business can present any appearance they want. If your hair isn`t up to code, yep, you`ll lhave to stop what they don`t like, or find a new job. That`s the beauty of a free market economy - it`s your choice. And up until just recently, it`s been a job-seeker`s market (leverage).

Personally, I work in a conservative investment firm, clean shaven, short hair, monkey suit, every day, all required. Hey, I`m not in love with any of it, but if they`re paying me, and the rules are legal and in the employment contracts that everyone signs, then the rules are the rules, even if we perceive them as completely unreasonable.

As for me, I`d probably take the same stand as your boss, if your job involves any customer contact -- no matter how cursory. Tinted green hair would keep away more people than you`d think. I for one don`t care what you do with your head or anything else [well, some things I`ve seen I might chuckle or roll my eyes at at, but that`s mild amusement, not deep offense! :) ]

On the flip side -- there are plenty of other people who, for whatever reason, would be put off from the perspective of a customer.

So Eric, maybe the color green is what is bothering them. Maybe they will let you go with a more subtle color. Have you asked what specific colors they object to?