Pink hair gets man suspended from work

[pylon]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

Great, and guess what - when you're in that kind of position, you're more than welcome to do so. When you're the dealer principal, you can shave the corporate logo in the back of your head. I'm sure people will love it.

But when someone asks the delivery guy to put on a hat to cover his bright pink hair because he's violating company policy with it (and he is fully aware that he is violating said policy), just put the damn hat on and save everyone the drama. You did something you knew was against policy and you did it anyway, and the company is actually being reasonable about it by simply asking you wear a hat. Is this REALLY a bridge worth dying on?

I think you are missing a big part of my point torque. In our dealership, this is the type of thing we encourage our staff to do, as we take a deep sense of pride in being a charitable store. If it raises awareness, or money, any gesture is good. What Sleep Country is saying is "raise awareness, but not on my watch." They are telling this guy, his cause doesn't matter to them.

How is Movember really any different? If you saw the creepy horror show that is put on by us every November, well.... we look like a room full of creepy chester the molesters, Lemmy wannabees's, and the absolute worst, creepy 40 year olds that can still grow a patchy pimplestache. How is pink hair, really any different? I think a pornstache is way more gross and creepy, than pink hair.

[moon]

Originally Posted by pylon

Let's not fool anyone here. If this was some edgy exec in the company that did the same thing in an attempt to promote "charitable synergy" or some bs like that, staffers around him would be bowing down to kiss the guys ass, and he would be lauded as some sort of company super hero.

If the Edgy Exec had done it the year before and was told that it broke rules and that there were parameters he would have to follow if he did it and then did it the next year but told the bosses no way is he following their rules I doubt that the bosses would say you are a company super hero.

But the first year he did it you are right he would probably get much more leeway than a delivery guy,

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Swarly

Doesn't matter if you understand it, clearly it is against their dress code which he knew.

It matters that I have a difference of an opinon. He chose to stand up for what he believed and I respect that.

Different companies have different dress codes... and different people are upset by different things. Don't like the dress code at work cuz you want to show off your sweet neck tats, there are plenty of other companies to work for, doesn't mean you run whining to the sun.

Employers should be more flexable when it comes to workers making crappy wages for a crappy job. Fortunately some are and do manage to keep thier employees. Suggesting he wear a hat is not being flexible IMO. A few days of pink hair isn't going to hurt the companies image.

[moon]

Originally Posted by pylon

I think you are missing a big part of my point torque. In our dealership, this is the type of thing we encourage our staff to do, as we take a deep sense of pride in being a charitable store. If it raises awareness, or money, any gesture is good. What Sleep Country is saying is "raise awareness, but not on my watch." They are telling this guy, his cause doesn't matter to them.

The guy is more than able to raise awareness so long as it doesn't break their rules. They aren't stopping him from raising awareness they are stopping him from breaking company policy that he clearly knew existed.

Millions of people raise awareness for issues without breaking company policies. It isn't like dying his hair pink is the only way he can raise awareness for Cancer.

[FurnaceFace]

I don't know why this would be a problem or any more shocking than say a receptionist I know of who works for for a conservative company and shaved her head for cancer. I think if the delivery guy has any people reading ability he would be able to quickly identify someone who gave him a funny look and he could easily explain it...or perhaps wear a cancer pin.

I don't see why this would freak someone out more than other things. I'd like to know if their policies prevent delivery people from shaving their head, turning their face into a pin cushion, having long goaties, tats, or spacers in their ears,. If they have some sort of written policy around this sort of thing then maybe its appropriate though I feel this was an over reaction for a temporary act.

[hmmhmmcamo]

Originally Posted by Dion

It matters that I have a difference of an opinon. He chose to stand up for what he believed and I respect that.

You say that like he's for finding a cure, and SC is against it.

It's a dress code issue...nothing more.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Dion

It matters that I have a difference of an opinon. He chose to stand up for what he believed and I respect that.

He believes in having pink hair? Because if rasing awareness for Cancer in what he believes in, again, there are many other ways to do it.

Employers should be more flexable when it comes to workers making crappy wages for a crappy job. Fortunately some are and do manage to keep thier employees. Suggesting he wear a hat is not being flexible IMO. A few days of pink hair isn't going to hurt the companies image.

Employers should be so flexible that they allow workers making crappy money decide what rules they follow and what rules they don't?

And how is making him wear a hat not being flexible?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by hmmhmmcamo

You say that like he's for finding a cure, and SC is against it.

It's a dress code issue...nothing more.

You assume too much. A couple of days where his hair is pink is not going to ruin the image of SC. If you want an employee friendly enviroment you have to show some flexibility.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by pylon

I think you are missing a big part of my point torque. In our dealership, this is the type of thing we encourage our staff to do, as we take a deep sense of pride in being a charitable store. If it raises awareness, or money, any gesture is good. What Sleep Country is saying is "raise awareness, but not on my watch." They are telling this guy, his cause doesn't matter to them.

How is Movember really any different? If you saw the creepy horror show that is put on by us every November, well.... we look like a room full of creepy chester the molesters, Lemmy wannabees's, and the absolute worst, creepy 40 year olds that can still grow a patchy pimplestache. How is pink hair, really any different? I think a pornstache is way more gross and creepy, than pink hair.

I think you're greatly misrepresenting (or misinterpreting) Sleep Country's stance on the issue to prove your point, given that we have both seen each side's story.

Sleep Country is saying "Please adhere to our policies on employee dress and appearance. Here, we'll even allow a work-around so you don't have to go and dye your hair." Telling him that his cause doesn't matter to them would have required an outright rejection of his new choice of hair colour and a demand that he go and dye it to a natural tone or be suspended/fired, with no compromise of 'Here, wear this hat.'

We do Movember at our offices too, raising money for cancer research. The difference is that it is a company-sponsored/encouraged event, much like it sounds like it is at your store.

Fact is this: Employee knowingly did something against company policy two years on the trot, company both times offered a compromise instead of any actual disciplinary action, employee opted to reject the compromise the second time around.

Cancer-awareness or not, this Daniel character prioritized his 'awareness' campaign (which does nothing unless he was simultaneously raising money, which would then be frowned upon if he was doing it on company time, and for good reason) over his job. That is his choice.

Originally Posted by Dion

Employers should be more flexable when it comes to workers making crappy wages for a crappy job. Fortunately some are and do manage to keep thier employees. Suggesting he wear a hat is not being flexible IMO.

Can you answer me this question: Why? Why should they be more flexible for just those employees? Why do you think they aren't already? If the employee in question had been a salesperson for Sleep Country instead of a delivery guy, do you think the option of just putting on a hat would have been available?

[hmmhmmcamo]

Originally Posted by Dion

You assume too much. A couple of days where his hair is pink is not going to ruin the image of SC. If you want an employee friendly enviroment you have to show some flexibility.

I agree. I don't think SC is worried that pink hair is going to ruin their reputation. They might be worried about a few negative responses from customers, but even then I don't think that's the issue.

It pains me to say this...but Moon said it best:

Originally Posted by moon

I would imagine the value this policy added is that when an employee breaks a policy the first time and the company works around a reasonable compromise and the same employee comes back and not only blatently breaks the rule and then acts like an ass about it that he doesn't get to decide what rules he follows or not.

With the number of employees that Sleep Country has I am not sure it is a great policy to allow employees to decide what rules they follow and which rules they break, especially not at the lowest level of employment.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by moon

He believes in having pink hair? Because if rasing awareness for Cancer in what he believes in, again, there are many other ways to do it.

There is nothing wrong with what he is doing. SC is making a big issue out of nothing. It's not like he's going to wear pink hear permanently. It was only for a few days.

Employers should be so flexible that they allow workers making crappy money decide what rules they follow and what rules they don't?

If this guy was wearing pink only to be dickwad you might have a point. He was doing it for a good cause and the vast majority of customers would understand or relate to what he was doing.

And how is making him wear a hat not being flexible?

The hat covering his pink hair is not being flexible as people wouldn't be able to see it.

[Dion]

Christine Magee said....

"“The acid test that I always use for the appearance of a Sleep Country delivery associate is whether my mom would be comfortable with this person setting up a bed in her bedroom.”

http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/05/28...nk-hair-worker

Sounds like she used one persons opinion when making policy. Have to wonder what it would be if her mother said the opposite.

[Swarly]

Originally Posted by Dion

You assume too much. A couple of days where his hair is pink is not going to ruin the image of SC. If you want an employee friendly enviroment you have to show some flexibility.

The same way that this kid having to wear a hat for his shift isnt going to prevent them finding a cure for cancer?

Does it even say in the article anything about him raising money or donating to a cause? If so then good for him, but I hate slacktivism.

I doubt this is any great loss to SC, they lost one low end employee. If they were having a hard time finding and keeping employees maybe their policy would change or relax for a week.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by Dion

There is nothing wrong with what he is doing. SC is making a big issue out of nothing. It's not like he's going to wear pink hear permanently. It was only for a few days.

If this guy was wearing pink only to be dickwad you might have a point. He was doing it for a good cause and the vast majority of customers would understand or relate to what he was doing.

The hat covering his pink hair is not being flexible as people wouldn't be able to see it.

1. Yes, SC is making a big issue out of nothing, what with them going to the Calgary Sun over it. Wait, that wasn't them. At all.

2. Too much silly behavior and too many useless gestures are done in the name of a 'good cause'. There are ways to show support for a cause that would not have violated company policy. Pink shirt? Pink ribbon?

3. a) That was sort of the point of the hat - allowing the employee to retain his pink hair but obscuring it while on the job. b) Unless this is a magic hat, I'm certain you would still be able to see his pink hair, just to a far lesser degree.

Originally Posted by Swarly

The same way that this kid having to wear a hat for his shift isnt going to prevent them finding a cure for cancer?


Does it even say in the article anything about him raising money or donating to a cause? If so then good for him, but I hate slacktivism.

Absolutely this, I'd thank this post twice if I could. Slacktivism is irritating to no end. It's like praying without the religious bits.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Dion

There is nothing wrong with what he is doing. SC is making a big issue out of nothing. It's not like he's going to wear pink hear permanently. It was only for a few days.

There is nothing wrong with knowingly and purposefully breaking company rules?

If this guy was wearing pink only to be dickwad you might have a point. He was doing it for a good cause and the vast majority of customers would understand or relate to what he was doing.

The fact that he did it a second year in a row after they told him of the rule and made concessions to help him out sure seems like he is doing it to be a dickwad. Especially when there are so many more ways that he could raise cancer awareness and be within the company rules.

The hat covering his pink hair is not being flexible as people wouldn't be able to see it.

They wouldn't be able to see it as a focal point during the time he is working for the company but people would still see when he is not working.

[stacey]

After Christine McGee tried to reason with this guy, she should have gotten Baldwin to visit the warehouse...

"If you don't like it leave..."

"What's my name? #### you that's my name"

"Third prize is your fired!"

[Ryan Coke]

Pinkie is an idiot, who with his misguided sense of 'standing up for a cause' will keep him doing these types of jobs for the rest of his life.

He should've worn a pink breast cancer awareness hat over his hair, then anyone wondering why he had pink hair would immediately understand. That would really help his noble awareness campaign, and at the same time reflect a level of maturity that he obviously lacks.

[hmmhmmcamo]

Mrs Camo is on team pink.



She's usually smarter than me at these things, so I will stfu now.

It's been fun arguing with you all. Have a good night.

[Daradon]

I think people on both sides are taking this WAY too seriously. Both in the actual dispute and this thread.

On the workers side, one has to agree, it's only for a few days, it's for a good cause, and he's a mover for pete's sake. He's not selling the beds.

On the companies side, they did warn him the year before and the do have the right to make the decision that was made. The can choose how they want their company represented.

Like a few have said, SC may have missed out on turning a negative into a positive, and as a few have mentioned the worker could have shown a different way to show his support.

I think this story is more of an example of what happens when two stubborn people fight. It is not an example of a low level of maturity on the workers part and it is not an example of draconian worker laws on the companies part.

It's just two stubborn asses that can't find a solution.

A possible idea, perhaps the worker wasn't favored already, and they were looking for a reason to terminate? Course it could go the other way, maybe the worker was fed up with working there and was looking to push an issue.

Hard to say one party is more at fault than the other in this case.

[stacey]

Originally Posted by Dion

Christine Magee said....

"“The acid test that I always use for the appearance of a Sleep Country delivery associate is whether my mom would be comfortable with this person setting up a bed in her bedroom.”

http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/05/28...nk-hair-worker

Sounds like she used one persons opinion when making policy. Have to wonder what it would be if her mother said the opposite.

Well in that case she (Chistine M.) would still be the President and able to make any policy she sees fit.

Maybe this "mattress artist" should open his own shop where he's free to wear whatever his heart desires.