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Employee Fired For Not Wearing Makeup

Aol Jobs — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:13:42 +0000

Melanie Stark knew exactly what she was getting into when she was hired to work in the music department at Harrods. The famed British department store has a notoriously staunch dress code, and is very specific about wearing makeup. Still, when she was fired for not following it, she claimed that she was “driven out,” and filed a complaint. And now the press seems to be more fired up about the whole thing than she is.

All British shoppers know that they’re so strict at Harrods that there’s even a dress code for customers, listed under “Visitor Guidelines.” It states: “We would kindly ask all visitors to ensure all clothing is clean and presentable and that the appropriate footwear is worn whilst in the store. We would also ask that visitors refrain from wearing clothing which may reveal intimate parts of the body, or which portrays offensive pictures or writing, as well as refraining from wearing crash helmets in the store. In particular the code does not permit any person entering the store who is wearing high cut, sports or beach shorts, swimwear, bare midriffs, athletic singlets, cycling shorts or general sporting attire, bare feet or any extremes of personal presentation.”

So it should come as no surprise to anyone that the guidelines for employees are even more detailed. According to Salon.com, there are two full pages of them for women, and they say that women must wear: “Full makeup at all time: base, blusher, full eyes (not too heavy), lipstick, lip liner and gloss are worn at all time and maintained discreetly (please take into account the store display lighting which has a ‘washing out’ effect).”

To Be or Not to Be Makeup Free

Stark didn’t wear makeup to her interview five years ago, and she got the job anyway. While she worked there, from time to time she would come to work makeup free, and no one said anything until last August, when senior manager noticed her clean face and sent her home. She was then demoted to the stockroom.

They offered her a makeup workshop, and Stark said that she was “appalled and called the offer “insulting.” She said, “Basically, it was implying that it would be an improvement,” according to the Daily Mail. She went back and forth for a while with Harrods management, and finally it was decided that it would be best if she moved on.

Although Stark has filed a complaint, she doesn’t seem to be making half as much of the issue as the British media. Sali Hughes of the Guardian says that the firing is “deeply sexist,” going on to write, “It implies that a woman, however clean and presentable, can pass muster only in heavy makeup, and that anyone opting out is by default shabby and below par.”

The Press Is Going Wild

On the other hand, Liz Jones of the Daily Mail says that employers whose employees work with the public have a right to hold them to certain standards. “Women who feel no compunction to improve what nature bestowed upon them are, in my experience, arrogant, lazy or deluded, and frequently all three,” she writes. “Why does a young woman think her desire to show us her open pores and ruddy complexion outweighs the wishes of her employer to present a polished face to the customer?”

Jones sums up, “Conforming to a high standard of dress code — and, yes, making the best of your looks in the workplace — is a sign of strength, not weakness. Kate Middleton, Michelle Obama and even Hilary Clinton do so every waking moment of their lives. You’d think a shop assistant could bring herself to do the same.”

Was Melanie Stark fired unfairly?

How do you feel? Are rigid rules about dress and makeup OK for women in England, but not for women here in the good old USA? Should women be allowed and encouraged to go makeup free anywhere, any time, without oppression? Is it fair to ask an employee to apply makeup to a face that reflects a public image? And what about men? (That’s a whole ‘nother can of worms.) - By Lisa Johnson Mandell, AOL Jobs

Employee Fired For Not Wearing Makeup is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

Is There Value To Cosmetic Enhancements When Job Hunting?

Glassdoor Team — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:00:08 +0000

Resume writers, career counselors and recruiters — all of these service providers offer valuable support in a job quest. But what about a plastic surgeon? Is it worth the investment to consider cosmetic procedures to enhance your odds of getting a job?

It’s of utmost importance to prepare for the job hunt with smart research on companies and education on industry trends. However, some people’s confidence in interview situations can be heightened by enhancements to their physical appearance.

If you’re considering cosmetic procedures to boost your marketability, here are five common appearance hang-ups that can impact the first impression you make and tips from online cosmetic treatment community RealSelf.com on how to put your best face forward:

Smile Your Way to a Job: Your smile is the first thing an interviewer sees. If you’re uncomfortable with less than perfect teeth, it can affect your confidence and ability to make a great impression, says Tom Seery, founder of RealSelf.com. One way to put your best face forward is a professional teeth whitening procedure that typically costs under $400*.

Clear Skin for a Clear Future: For those just starting out in a career and pursuing entry-level positions, a face free of acne could project maturity. Those who struggle with their skin and are tired of masking spots with makeup can consider Accutane, an oral acne treatment administered by dermatologists. More importantly, it can swiftly transport an acne sufferer from feeling like a teen with a breakout to a confident professional.

Erasing Age: Age discrimination is illegal; however, it doesn’t stop prospective employers from sizing you up at a glance and passing judgment. For those returning to the workplace, a bit of filler that smoothes out the years could help focus an interview away from guesses as to your age, and more on what you can bring to the team. Take years off your face – and your age – by considering injectable fillers such as Restylane, which can be used to enhance lips, and remove unwanted lines and wrinkles.

The Eyes Have It: In an interview situation, it’s important to make good eye contact to establish honesty. While glasses make a person appear smart, eye corrective surgery like LASIK takes away the glare of glasses while correcting eyesight. Of the patients on RealSelf who underwent this procedure, 83% said it was Worth It. At an average cost of $3,200*, this is a pricier investment in a career search, but also brings benefits beyond the job search. If you are a fitness or sports professional, this is a surgery that will definitely change your life.

The Nose Knows: If you’re in an appearance-based line of work, such as politics, broadcasting, customer service or sales, do the advantages of plastic surgery outweigh the investment? If it has a bump, or it’s been broken, or you simply can’t breathe well, it could boost your confidence to get a nose job. Consider that 73% of the people who reviewed this procedure on RealSelf said it was Worth It. Then consider the accompanying price tag — $6,100*. Of course, if your surgery is medically necessary, you can always pursue insurance reimbursement.

Before undertaking any cosmetic treatment, it’s wise to consult with a board-certified medical professional to discuss risks, outcomes, costs and other relevant concerns for job seekers, such as bruising, scarring and how long the recovery process might take.

Learn more on Glassdoor about leveraging your appearance for interview success:

How Fitness Can Make You a More Satisfied Employee

Healthcare Industry Report Card: Hospitals Receive High Ratings In Industry Comparison

Why Weight? Don’t Let Extra Pounds Put Off Your Job Search

* Average cost source: RealSelf.com

Is There Value To Cosmetic Enhancements When Job Hunting? is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

Why Weight? Don’t Let Extra Pounds Put Off Your Job Search

Aol Jobs — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 22:38:11 +0000

With the job market being more competitive than ever and holiday goodies being as tempting as they are, some people are deciding to postpone their job search until they get back down to their ideal weight. They point to the statistics that indicate overweight people earn less and are overlooked for jobs and promotions in favor of those who are thinner, and they don’t want employers to perceive them as expensive health risks.

“I’m human — all things being equal, I will hire the more fit-looking job candidate over the one who looks extremely overweight,” says Jonathan Seymour, a small business owner from Long Island. “I’ve seen the numbers that say how much more overweight people can cost an employer in terms of health insurance costs and absenteeism.

But the fact of the matter is that all things are seldom equal. I’ll hire the person with the best credentials and the most experience every time, no matter what they weigh. As it so happens, all my employees seem to be overweight — I think I’m the only one who works out. But we get an amazing amount of good work done, and that’s what’s important.”.

That may be true, but according to a study done by Timothy A. Judge of the University of Florida, women weighing 25 pounds less than the group norm earned an average $15,572 a year more than heavier women. However, the study found that men who weighed 25 or more pounds less than average were penalized, earning almost $8,500 less than their beefier colleagues. That trend tapered off when their weight hit the obese level. The numbers show that grossly overweight people of both genders earn less than their fitter counterparts.

You snooze, you lose, no matter how much you weigh

Still, waiting until you can be considered fit and trim is no excuse to put off your job search. “If we all waited until we’ve reached our ideal weight, no one would be on the job market or start their own business,” says Janet Powers, whose Diva Toolbox organization helps people start up and excel in the working world. “Does anyone, anywhere, ever feel physically perfect?” she asks.

It’s estimated that 190 million Americans are overweight. If they all stopped applying themselves professionally until they lost the extra pounds, the entire economy would be incapacitated.

Lynae Remondino, who was told she would not be considered for a behind-the-scenes position at Weight Watchers because she was still too heavy — even after she’d lost 118 lbs., admits this. “If we feed into this mentality that we must fit a certain mold to be hired for a job, then we are only encouraging companies to base their hiring decisions on anything other than someone’s knowledge, skills, behaviors and/or abilities to perform the job,” she says.

“You should start to lose weight the minute you decide YOU want to,” she adds. “To intentionally wait to find a job until you reach a weight loss goal is destructive because losing weight is a process, and your motivation shouldn’t be dictated by someone or something else; you have to want it, especially if you hope to maintain it long-term for a healthier lifestyle.”

Is it how you feel or how you look?

“Many women think they have to “release” the extra weight to feel accepted by their lovers, peers or colleagues,” says Chantal Boudreau, a Certified Master Practitioner in Neuro-linguistic Programming. “Many have been scorned and called names because of their size at home, school and in the work place. Once some women have babies, they choose to be ‘stay home moms’ instead of returning to work and facing even more humiliations and rejection.”

Regardless of weight, it’s considered a luxury these days for one parent to stay at home with the children while the other goes out to work. Some estimates report that almost one in five Americans are looking for work. Why let a little thing like weight hold you back when you might have the exact qualifications needed for a certain position? If you’re lucky enough to score a callback, or even an interview, there are plenty of ways to make yourself look slimmer and more put together instantly.

Remondino suggests getting a haircut/color or blowout that not only makes you look better, but gives you new-found energy and confidence. You want to bring attention up to your eyes and face, so people will listen to the message you’re sending, rather than evaluating the shape you’re in.

Color specialist Jill Kirsch advises people to wear the right accent color near the face to bring out out the eyes and define the jaw line. This applies to both men and women. Tie, shirt and/or scarf or dress color can make a surprising difference. See what shades work best for you, according to your hair color, at JillKirschcolor.com.

Quick tricks to trim your appearance

Charla Krupp, author of How to Never Look Fat Again: Over 1,000 Ways to Dress Thinner–Without Dieting! Has a number of dress suggestions that will divert attention from your body. If you want to look thinner immediately, she suggests:

Wear dark colors, but not necessarily black. Jewel tones such as purple, burgundy and cobalt work well.
If a woman must wear stockings, make them opaque black. Black boots, well polished and not scuffed, are another option. For men, socks that are lighter or darker than your pants will chop up your long, lean-looking line — wear socks that blend.
Shapewear helps almost every woman. Black bike short types keep you from feeling like you’re compressed into a girdle.
Women should also wear a good, supportive bra to “lift the girls up!”
The highest heel you can stand will help you look taller and slimmer. If you’re used to flats, try a kitten heel.
A great bag or briefcase, not overstuffed, can hide your tummy and divert attention from your body.
A great necklace, scarf or necktie keeps the attention above the shoulders.
Even if the work environment is casual, no cargo pants for men or women. The pockets add the illusion of pounds.

In the vast majority of situations, your weight will not be the make or break factor in whether or not you get the job. But your confidence level could be. If you’re worried about not looking your best, chances are your insecurity will show through. It’s not necessary to wait until after you lose that extra weight to try to find a job, but it is important to look as good as you know you can. These days, you have to make the most of every advantage you’ve got. - Lisa Johnson Mandell

Interested in more career advice from AOL Jobs?

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Why Weight? Don’t Let Extra Pounds Put Off Your Job Search is a post from: Glassdoor Blog