My red hair is 'unprofessional' but tattoos aren't!!

[IntegrityisDead]

I work in a uniformed role in the UK, uniform standards say 'Conspicuously "unnatural" colours (e.g. pink) and extreme hairstyles are not allowed.'
I am spitting feathers!!
My hair is L'Oréal Preference Bright Red 8.624.
Yes it's bright

[scrufffy]

Can you approach HR and ask for their justification?

[Brefugee]

You knew the rules and yet coloured your hear and are now complaining because you've been pulled up on it?

Tattoos are much more widely acceptable nowadays. Most uniformed roles that now accept them also have rules on things those visible tattoos may not depict.

[IntegrityisDead]

Oops!! My AIBU is whether it is a hill I should die on! I am SOOO cross.

[scrufffy]

Also. Is the rule on tattoos visible tattoos?

[Strangerthings4NW]

Why are you cross, is this a new rule?

[Toottooot]

Rules are rules min.

[Ted27]

Most tattoos will be covered by uniform though.
What does the uniform code say about visible tattos ?

[underneaththeash]

Dye it a lighter colour? Not really an issue.

[Sweetmotherofallthatisholyabov]

Has someone said something?

[romdowa]

I always find this odd. How is red hair unprofessional? I've worked with people who were dirty, smelled and who where extremely unkempt looking but they were never pulled up on it despite being in a customer facing role. Yet pink hair was a massive deal 🙄

[Brefugee]

Oops!! My AIBU is whether it is a hill I should die on! I am SOOO cross.

don't be daft. This is not the hill to die on. This is where you gather opinions, research what other uniformed organisations, including similar ones in other countries, etc have as regulations. Then get on to bosses, or your federation or union or whatever you have, and lobby to have the existing rules changed.

For now? You know you're in the wrong, it is a policy that you were aware of.

[Brefugee]

I mean. If you coloured your hair, and then they changed the rules - that is very much off and you should decide if you really want to push it. But I'm assuming you knew and did it anyway.

[BackT]

I don't really understand the issue. The uniform rules say don't have unnatural hair. You have unnatural hair. YABU

I don't understand what Tatoos have to do with it.

[ImAvingOops]

Personally I don't think any employer should be able to dictate appearance, beyond specifying no offensive clothing, being clean/tidy and wearing uniform if they have it.
I don't even like it when schools pull this shit. Hair colour has no impact on a person's ability to do their job.
But you did know this rule existed when you dyed your hair.

I guess the question is whether you would be willing to hand in your notice rather than change it?

[IntegrityisDead]

The policy said "eg. Pink", 3 years ago it said "eg. pink or blue".
2% of the world's population have red hair - it's not unnatural.
Tattoos can be visible.

[AchatAVendre]

Do they permit facial tattoos, or just tattoos that can be covered up?

I'm with you on this one though OP!

[Theawkwardblonde]

Rules are rules. I'm thinking it may be the same uniformed employment I'm in. Just dye it a less bright shade. It's honestly not worth the bother and the policies are clear on unnatural hair colours.

[Mumoblue]

I think the concept of “looking professional” (aka generally looking bland) is hugely overrated. Why would a person with tattoos and piercings or dyed hair not be a professional? I get why the concept exists and we won’t rid ourselves of it overnight but it’s still stupid and given way too much credit.

OP, my old workplace had this too but I worked with two people with blue hair and one with about that shade of red. Try and figure out what you can get away with.

[alloutoflunchideas]

So is this a new rule?
is this something you’ve been pulled up on?

[eyeteevee]

Can you be a bit clearer as to what you are asking here?

[bananaboats]

So this is an existing rule that you've chosen to ignore and are enough unhappy you've been pulled up for? That colour is very far from natural red hair.

[FarmerRefuted]

Personally I don't think hair colour matters but I'm not in charge of policy at your place of work and they've obviously decided that it does. You could ask them for their reasoning but it's unlikely to change their minds.

Tattoos can't be easily removed so it wouldn't be possible to mandate against them. It could also stray towards discrimination as some tattoos are done for religious and/or cultural reasons and some are done for medical reasons (e.g., to cover up a scar or provide information, I know someone who has their medical alert bracelet tattooed on). People change too a d would be unfair to penalise against a (e.g.) 37yr old for something they had done when they were 18 years old.

[StopFeckingFaffing]

Have you actually been pulled up by management / HR about your hair colour OP?

If not then I wouldn't worry too much

Brightly coloured hair is a lot more mainstream and acceptable now than it was even 2 years ago so you may find that no one actually cares! (especially if you're a good employee)

[Brefugee]

The policy said "eg. Pink", 3 years ago it said "eg. pink or blue".
2% of the world's population have red hair - it's not unnatural.

Most people with natural red hair don't have red hair that looks like that. And you coloured yours, so it isn't naturally that colour. [shrug] (I'm bored, i googled it)

Can you post the actual wording? and while you're connecting it with tattoos, also the wording about tattoos?

[MarsupiIami]

Is it IE? I think it's because you'll stand out.