Advice needed. Employee has red and gray hair! - tanTALK

FEwing007 · 03-22-2007, 10:55 AM

I have an employee who's been with me for 4 years. She's a middle aged gal and does a very good job most of the time. My problem is that she used to have red (auburn) hair. She hasn't been dying her roots for some time and now half of her hair is gray and half is red. It looks terrible! It's not pretty gray and red, it's nappy gray and red.
I hinted to her a few times that she should dye it and she always says she plans on it. Well, finally I offered to pitch in and help pay for it as she's been having some financial issues. She got very offended and snapped at me, asking "does my job depend on it?". Well, I was caught off guard and didn't really answer the question. I simply said that she was not projecting the image I wanted here. I should have said "Your job depends on your attitude!".
Anyhow, she went on to say that gray hair is a natural color for a woman her age (trying to hint that I was discriminating). Yes, gray is, but gray and red isn't! She says that she just has to let it grow out because it would ruin her hair to dye it all gray or red right now. She says her hair color doesn't affect her job performance.
Bottom line is that it's embarassing to me. I've had a couple of customer comments that it looks terrible. They've asked what's going on with her.

Thanks for your advice!

Gidget · 03-22-2007, 11:03 AM

If it does really look that bad I would tell her since she sits in the front and the first thing customer see is her and its the first image they have of the salon.

The 3 girls I have rotating here in the reception area have to be really well dressed, nice makeup and hair every single day. One of them is 53 and she does look older but still great looking.

FEwing007 · 03-22-2007, 12:03 PM

Thanks Gidget! She's about the same age. I also have another employee the same age and she always looks great! She wears the full makeup, is very well groomed and has the image I want to project. It's quite obvious she cares about her appearance. The red/gray haired employee looks like she just doesn't care. I don't think most salons would tolerate it. I just don't know how to handle it without offending her. I'm afraid I'll end up losing her over it and possibly end up with a lawsuit. My partner says to just leave it alone, but he doesn't have to work here. It's just not the image I want to project. I want neat, clean, well-groomed and somebody who cares about their appearance. Is that really asking too much?

Tanzenite · 03-22-2007, 12:11 PM

My father has a company and he does not allow any male employee to have facial hair. It is in the employee handbook, and if any employee does not follow the rule, he will tell them straight out that its unaccpetable. You as a business owner have the right to make the rules and guidlines.

Neon Beach · 03-22-2007, 12:35 PM

Unless it is discriminatory.

Have her where "The Tannie" while on duty. Covers the hair and is good advertising as well.

missmojorising · 03-22-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neon Beach

Unless it is discriminatory.

Have her where "The Tannie" while on duty. Covers the hair and is good advertising as well.

That is a great solution !:lol: Love It!

FEwing007 · 03-22-2007, 12:42 PM

Neon, do you feel it's discriminatory? I don't. She can have all gray hair if she wants, although I don't prefer it. It's the half red and half gray that's the problem. It just looks unkept and sloppy.

FEwing007 · 03-22-2007, 12:43 PM

Oh, the tannie! LOL!! Now, that's a great idea!

Gidget · 03-22-2007, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FEwing007

Neon, do you feel it's discriminatory? I don't. She can have all gray hair if she wants, although I don't prefer it. It's the half red and half gray that's the problem. It just looks unkept and sloppy.

Where are you located ?

Neon Beach · 03-22-2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FEwing007

Neon, do you feel it's discriminatory? I don't. She can have all gray hair if she wants, although I don't prefer it. It's the half red and half gray that's the problem. It just looks unkept and sloppy.

Depends on where you are I guess, but that might be trouble around here.

03-22-2007, 10:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
FEwing007 Join Date: Nov 30 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 67 Rep Power: 0	Advice needed. Employee has red and gray hair! I have an employee who's been with me for 4 years. She's a middle aged gal and does a very good job most of the time. My problem is that she used to have red (auburn) hair. She hasn't been dying her roots for some time and now half of her hair is gray and half is red. It looks terrible! It's not pretty gray and red, it's nappy gray and red. I hinted to her a few times that she should dye it and she always says she plans on it. Well, finally I offered to pitch in and help pay for it as she's been having some financial issues. She got very offended and snapped at me, asking "does my job depend on it?". Well, I was caught off guard and didn't really answer the question. I simply said that she was not projecting the image I wanted here. I should have said "Your job depends on your attitude!". Anyhow, she went on to say that gray hair is a natural color for a woman her age (trying to hint that I was discriminating). Yes, gray is, but gray and red isn't! She says that she just has to let it grow out because it would ruin her hair to dye it all gray or red right now. She says her hair color doesn't affect her job performance. Bottom line is that it's embarassing to me. I've had a couple of customer comments that it looks terrible. They've asked what's going on with her. Thanks for your advice!

03-22-2007, 11:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
Gidget I'm Banned Join Date: Jul 26 2005 Location: Québec, Canada Posts: 8,521 Rep Power: 0	Re: Advice needed. Employee has red and gray hair! If it does really look that bad I would tell her since she sits in the front and the first thing customer see is her and its the first image they have of the salon. The 3 girls I have rotating here in the reception area have to be really well dressed, nice makeup and hair every single day. One of them is 53 and she does look older but still great looking.

03-22-2007, 12:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
FEwing007 Join Date: Nov 30 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 67 Rep Power: 0	Re: Advice needed. Employee has red and gray hair! Thanks Gidget! She's about the same age. I also have another employee the same age and she always looks great! She wears the full makeup, is very well groomed and has the image I want to project. It's quite obvious she cares about her appearance. The red/gray haired employee looks like she just doesn't care. I don't think most salons would tolerate it. I just don't know how to handle it without offending her. I'm afraid I'll end up losing her over it and possibly end up with a lawsuit. My partner says to just leave it alone, but he doesn't have to work here. It's just not the image I want to project. I want neat, clean, well-groomed and somebody who cares about their appearance. Is that really asking too much?

03-22-2007, 12:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tanzenite Don't you dare! Join Date: Jun 2 2005 Posts: 1,816 Rep Power: 30	Re: Advice needed. Employee has red and gray hair! My father has a company and he does not allow any male employee to have facial hair. It is in the employee handbook, and if any employee does not follow the rule, he will tell them straight out that its unaccpetable. You as a business owner have the right to make the rules and guidlines.

03-22-2007, 12:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Neon Beach Join Date: Nov 30 2000 Location: Ontario Age: 61 Posts: 38,594 Rep Power: 107	Re: Advice needed. Employee has red and gray hair! Unless it is discriminatory. Have her where "The Tannie" while on duty. Covers the hair and is good advertising as well. __________________ www.talktimmins.com -- http://www.drjawnswebworx.com/

03-22-2007, 12:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
FEwing007 Join Date: Nov 30 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 67 Rep Power: 0	Re: Advice needed. Employee has red and gray hair! Neon, do you feel it's discriminatory? I don't. She can have all gray hair if she wants, although I don't prefer it. It's the half red and half gray that's the problem. It just looks unkept and sloppy.

03-22-2007, 12:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
FEwing007 Join Date: Nov 30 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 67 Rep Power: 0	Re: Advice needed. Employee has red and gray hair! Oh, the tannie! LOL!! Now, that's a great idea!

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