It's been a while since our last post because we've been occupied with summer school, work and the like so we apologize. This morning I read an article that rankled me, not just because of the content but also some of the comments made.
A story arose a few weeks ago about a young woman, Melanie Stark, who quit her job at Harrods after unfair treatment due to the fact that she did not wear makeup.
Melanie began working with the high end retail store at the age of 19. She claimed that though she was aware of the dress code when she was first employed but had been interviewed nude face and never received censure from management. She continued to work without makeup for five years before she quit. The young woman said that she adhered to all of the other components of the dress code and her supervisors had labelled her one of the company's best employees.
However, when the company began to seriously enforce the policy last August, Melanie was treated like anything but one of the best. She was sent home on two occasions and sent to work in the stock room on some days so that customers couldn't see her. Unable to withstand anymore of this treatment, the 24-year-old quit the job she loved.
The company has a right to implement and enforce their dress codes but I have two big problems with Harrods. The first of which is the policy itself.
"Full makeup at all time: base, blusher, full eyes (not too heavy), lipstick, lip liner and gloss are worn at all time and maintained discreetly (please take into account the store display lighting which has a 'washing out' effect)."
I would have thought that Melanie was going to give the six o'clock news instead of working in the music department of the store. Actually, when I first read this piece I assumed Melanie had been working at the cosmetics counter. That would make sense, wouldn't it? A sales assistant at the cosmetics counter with a bit of makeup can showcase the product. However Melanie worked at the HMV department of Harrods. There is no real reason that this young lady would have to wear makeup in the music department if she was always attired according to code (minus the maquillage).
Secondly, Melanie had proven herself to be an diligent worker, excelling in customer service and she did it nude face. The managers knew she was nude face and during her first four years with the company they told her nothing. They didn't even pull her aside on her first day of work and ask her to slap on some concealer so why now? According to a legal expert, Lawrence Davies, Harrods is in the wrong. He claims that "custom and practice would suggest that her contract has changed over the years to allow her to not wear makeup".
I read this article feeling rather incensed because I don't wear makeup (OK, I have been known to put on some mascara but more often than not I am nude face) and I would dare any coworker or manager to call me out for looking unprofessional because of my unmade up face. I doubt some eyeshadow would prevent the sales assistant in the children's department from being rude to a customer or ducking out for an extended lunch. And sending Melanie to work in the stock room so she can't be seen? I won't even touch that one.
So against my better judgement I perused the comments. It was a little shocking that in this 'post-feminist' age that most of the women who commented--I'm assuming they are women--were against Melanie for not putting on a cosmetic face.
This commenter made me wince.
A Polished ,well groomed look makes you look professional,clean,and makes you look more approachable.To me not wearing makeup in a public profession is like not showering,or fixing your hair ,the finish look is “im lazy i cant be bothered to groom myself let leave alone working.
Oh and it continued.
When I see a women out in public, esp. at work without make-up it looks like she didn’t finish getting ready.
Fortunately not everyone thought along the same vein.
There are plenty of women who can show up to work with a natural face. And why not? Make-up should be a CHOICE not a requirement. So, what, are they saying that women are not beautiful without make-up? And I’m sure the men are not being asked to wear concealer, foundation, mascara, and lip gloss. So, if they’re not being asked to wear make-up, the women should have a choice of whether or not they wish to wear make-up to work
And this last one made me smile because I do remember hearing stories about how a few decades ago Black women weren't allowed to rock their natural hair at work. This issue with Melanie wasn't racially motivated--there's no talk of that--but it does speak of inhibiting somebody's choice to be themselves even though it doesn't hinder their work ethic.
Let Harrods come up with a policy requiring black women to have permed hair, and watch the fur fly. Cuz, you know, “When I see women out in public, especially at work, without a perm, it looks like she didn’t finish getting ready . . .” (rolls eyes)
Co-sign! Let me go cross Harrods off my employment list.
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