Human Resource Blog

Hairsyles/Color

In our policy manual it is written that “Hairstyles, clothing and jewelry should conform to the best safety, business and professional standards.”
It then states: “No extreme hairstyles or severe make-up styles are allowed.”
With this information given to the employee, I have had an employee dye a large portion of her hair blue/green. While the employee does not normally have visual contact with our clients, it is possible for a client to see her at some point.
Is it legally okay to request her to change her hair color back to a natural hair shade?

Rather than tell the employee what to do in the future, we suggest that you provide appropriate consequences for the action she has already taken.

Yes, you have the right to establish standards for professional appearance in the workplace. This is true, even for employees who have no client contact whatsoever. Many employers and HR pros think that looking professional fosters better productivity and greater professional respect for ourselves and others.

Your written policy is very straight forward. The employee should have known that she was violating the policy when she dyed her hair blue and green. Our suggestion is that you issue a written reprimand to the employee for violating the dress and grooming code. Let the employee know that you will reassess the situation once per week (or once per two weeks if you are feeling especially generous.) At that time, if the employee is still in violation, you will issue another written reprimand. After 3 written reprimands, you will terminate the employee for willful misconduct.

If the employee asks how she can correct the situation, you can certainly tell her that she could dye her hair black, brown, red or blonde with normal haircolor, to a natural hair shade. However, it is always safer in the HR world to provide consequences for actions that the employee has already taken, rather than demand that they take certain actions on thier own time and expense in the future. Its a subtle difference, but an important one.