Black Hairstyles

[TheresNeverEnoughCake]

AIBU - for being somewhat narked at being (politely) requested by a recruitment consultant to think about "getting your hair done". The implication being that my shortish, neat afro isn't quite business-like enough.

A tad thrown, I just mumbled okay but the subject was broached again when I made a follow up visit.
Do employers really still flinch at natural hairstyles in this day and age? Has anybody else come up against this? If it was dirty and riddled with nits, fair do's but the "it's a bit Black though, isn't it?" undertone stopped me in my tracks, to be honest.
Having worn many different styles in the workplace, I've had remarks before - bigots gonna bigot - but it is 2023. AD. I mean...AIBU? 🤔

I've got to the stage where I know I put in a strong application, and I have zero desire to change myself beyond fundamental professionalism.

If that puts off some employers, so be it, and thanks for the heads up that you're a total wankstain of a company that I wouldn't want to waste my time with anyway.

Everyone (quite rightly) outraged at this please encourage your employers/ schools to sign this,Halo Collective

No, she isn't. 30-something, so not a "too old to realise" generation. Hey-ho. 😕

I will do this! Pleasant smile and "what style do you think would suit me best?"

@thecatsthecats Yes! THIS!

I'm shocked to hear this kind of thing is still happening! You'd think employers would know better. Absolutely unacceptable.

@skippy67 No, she isn't. 30-something, so not a "too old to realise" generation. Hey-ho. 😕

@Jadviga I will do this! Pleasant smile and "what style do you think would suit me best?"

YANBU and you don’t have to wait for it to happen again if you don’t want to. It’s not too late to complain at all.

@Lamelie Thank you - what a wonderful organisation but how sad that laws have to be brought in to force to make people to control their prejudices.

Racism. Report it to the manager. Use a different agency.

That is not acceptable and not allowed in any workplace.

Don't know why you say 'hard to say'.

The OP quite clearly says she has a shortish, neat afro - so it's not as though she has wild hair sticking out at all angles and looking unkempt.

A shortish neat afro is the equivalent of a boring jaw-length bob - it should go unremarked.

I would complain, it is racist. I agree that a shortish neatish afro should be the equivalent of a jaw length bob.

The notion that black people should have to do something to their hair but white people can just wash and go, that's not on.

@MelchiorsMistress I'm white with curly hair and it's all in the cut. If the shape is right, and trimmed every 10 weeks you won't look scruffy.

Frankly, when it's the run up to needing a re-shape, I think people around me seem to cope.

Lots of people think professional hair means straight/in a ponytail/in a bun. I’m white with curly hair and I’ve been told countless times I should straighten it to look professional or that I would have to straighten it to work there and been ‘forbidden’ from meeting with certain clients who I’m not professional enough for because I won’t straighten my hair (or wear makeup or heels), so it’s not racism towards me, I don’t really know what I’d call it, maybe sexism?. As I said, I’ve also been told I need to wear heels and makeup so I look ‘professional’ and that’s definitely sexism!

I can't decide how to vote. YANBU to think that this shouldn't be an issue, YABU to believe it isn't. I have 3a hair (but not the attractive kind you see in the hair charts, expose mine to the elements and it gets wild - relevant as my work is largely outdoors) and don't think I've had a single job where it hasn't been commented on in a negative way by somebody (even if they are trying to be kind by suggesting straightening products).

This is awful. It's especially awful as it puts the expectation on people to undertake costly, chemical-laden interventions on their hair, it should always be acceptable to simply have clean, natural hair if that is your choice, for any type of hair.

Completely unacceptable

my aunt has a short natural hair and has always looked fabulous and professional.

this shouldn’t be happening in this day and age