Alopecia World
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Alopecia and work
I had a question about my wife. She has Alopecia and is completly bald. Lately her work has threatened her saying she must wear a hat or she is fired. She works at a pizza place and while hats are part of the uniform no other employes are beiing forced to wear a hat. If any one knowss what ger legal righths are Id appriciate the help.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Eileen Simpson on -
Sorry I don't really know other then calling your legal rights office in you state. Maybe start with the Chamber of Commerce.
Eileen
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Permalink Reply by Nants the Rebellion Dog on -
I could be wrong, but it seems as if this might be covered by the American Disabilities Act. I'd check that out. It sounds definitely discriminatory to me. If you know a lawyer, you might ask him or her. Or call your local Legal Aid. Good luck. Personally, I'd rather have someone with no hair serve me a pizza than to find a hair in it!
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Permalink Reply by Jane on -
In food service all kitchen employees are required to wear head coverings and hats to comply with health code regulations governing public dining establishments. So possibly this is there concern...
However, If she is a waitress, perhaps she can wear a wig or fancy scarf if they are going for a certain quality of esthetic…?
But if the problems began after her hair issues, then you may have a legal standing, but she will need to show that she is maintaining a reasonable appearance despite the hairloss (which may include hats, wigs, scarves, etc)..
But, again in food service, kitchen and housekeeping staff must be sanitary (i.e., head coverings) as required by law.
Harassment in general, however is another legal area 9and still against the law if it is sexual and/or bullyish in nature).
Good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Bobby on -
Ya pizza places generally require you to wear a hat, shirt, pants, shoes the whole works. I'd say wear while the boss is around and ditch when he/she is gone :P be a rebel. The first thing I'd recommand is reading your wifes contract of when she got hired. Namely the dress code. When you do this most of the time you find that the places your working are really going very easy on you, because the contract is normally always stricter. By law they generally have a copy within the building of the rules of conduct. After reading it you will be able to figure out if legal action is required or pointing it out to the boss on a power trip that by our code of conduct I am not required to wear a hat to have active employeement. Also there are other clauses that give managers the right to require this be done, by special reasons, such as distrist manger coming by, requires full work dress etc.
But most likely for a pizza place the code of conduct will probably say that you are required to maintain and wear all articales of clothing concurrent with our uniform policy, Which could mean the requirement of wearing a hat, specially promotional uniforms.
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Permalink Reply by Cynthia Lee Watkins on -
I would imagine her "legal rights" depend on what state you reside in. I would wear the hat to work, but in the meantime, get legal advice through a legal clinic or law school if there is one nearby.
Unfortunately, what is "legal" isn't always "morally right"....a great deal of the time!
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Permalink Reply by Michael Gutwein on -
I personaly would wear a hat. i mean our hair does fall out. Its the only right thing to do since she would be dealing with other peoples food. I would just wear the hat. its not a big deal IMO. My job I have says I cannot have a hat on. so I have these dang patches showing.
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Permalink Reply by Deborah Gay Smith on
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Wear a scarf to match the uniform and see what happens. Then if that doesn't work, I would report it to the authorities, and ask them if that would be under discrimination on the work force. While other employees don't wear a hat. Depending what they say...if they say yes then file.
I would think being bald would be more cleaner than hair and not wearing a hat!!
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Permalink Reply by Cynthia Lee Watkins on
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The best answer to this complicated legal question has been given by Susan. One of my "nephews" (by adoption) is an attorney who specializes in employee rights, and he tells me that the number one reason that people who are being discriminated against do not get the relief they desire is because they 'act first, and consult with attorneys later." Just about every attorney who specializes in employee rights law will give an individual a free consultation, and that is what should be done in this situation before ANYTHING. The law is too complicated for the average layperson to understand the intricacies, and the "ins and outs", and just one tiny, tiny misstep by the layperson can void an entire case. Remember, corporations have their attorneys to protect their interests, and we need attorneys to protect ours!
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Permalink Reply by Bridget Smith on
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It's all a really touchy situation. I live in the deep south, where your hair can never be to big and your heels can never be too high. It's nearly impossible for me to get a "girl" job. I have more than 15 years office experience, off and on, sales experience, paralegal experience. However, for me to actually get a job that puts to use all my skills, I have to hide behind a wig. Quite silly for someone who is stuck in a cubical, don't you think. Otherwise, I have had to do "guy" jobs. Feed store, construction, other manual labor. It's great for the body! I've got some awesome biceps! It's just really frustrating that I have to endure miserable humidity and 90 degree temps in the summer while wearing a wig. On the weekends, I am fine with my camo ball cap or a bandana (sunburn on the scalp is awful) and I have no trouble making friends or meeting people when I am ME! In fact, I am very outgoing and like the way I look. Put a wig on me and I feel like I'm the elephant in the room! I feel awkward and pretentious. I'm trying to be something I am not. It's totally unfair and there are no laws here to protect me or others like me. We are punished for being healthy. If we were taking cancer treatments, we would be pitied. No offense meant to anyone in that position. It just gripes my butt that I work my tail off and even though I look different, I am not valued!!
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Permalink Reply by Tiffani Who on -
If no other employees are being forced to wear a hat it's discrimination. I am bald by choice and as a cosmetologist I was given slot of crap from my previous manager and I called her boss, and human resources and told them and after a few complaints it stopped
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