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Reading through this, I am really rather shocked at the prevailing belief that "professional" and "upscale" means that make-up is expected. But, it seems, in all the talk of lip gloss, mascara, and light foundation, it only seems to be expected for women.
I am not a feminist be any stretch of the word, but, my god, am I the only one who thinks face paint as an expectation for only women is some sort of 1950s misogynist idea?
Why are women only expected to brighten up their face with other colors and paints?
BTW, I am a woman, and I do wear make-up every day. And I certainly expect all of my employees to have a professional appearance. But I would never expect them to have to wear make-up unless they were in a job that would require so of BOTH the males and females.
I applied for a job recently at an upscale retail store. The interview was going well, I had the required experience, and I project a polished, well groomed, professional image. Until the manager asked me about wearing makeup. I don't wear any, ever. She said I was beautiful and I didn't have to wear any, but I got the distinct impression that wasn't true and that the company wanted their female employees to wear makeup. I know that the US still allows employers to require female employees to wear makeup, but unless I get a job as a clown, why should I have to wear it?
It's expensive, I feel fake wearing it, it sometimes causes me to break out, and I'm not getting paid a gender differential to buy it. I know posters will say, "Just don't take the job," but is there a real reason to require it? And what of high heels? Fortunately this position doesn't require those, but she kept bringing up the makeup, and I nicely but firmly told her I would not wear any, along with the honest reason that it makes me break out. If it costs me the job, so be it. I am a good employee and I clean up well without it. On the few occasions I tried it, I truly looked like a clown since I had no idea how to apply it properly anyway, and I'm dark skinned and have been told many times I don't need it
My wife never wears makeup either. She's beautiful without it.
Of course it is. It's legal though since makeup status isn't a protected class.
Hmm...Are we really sure about that? Also, some religions forbid makeup so the retailer could find itself on the wrong end of a religious discrimination suit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth
The legality is questionable, because male employees aren't required to wear it. There was a time when some upscale stores did require men to wear foundation. That phase didn't last long.
The legality is questionable, because male employees aren't required to wear it. There was a time when some upscale stores did require men to wear foundation. That phase didn't last long.
You are pursuing a customer facing role in an upscale retail store. The inquiry seems reasonable. You will make your own decision.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Left-handed
Are they asking you to demo the product lines by chance?
Unfortunately, in sales/customer facing roles, part of the requirement is to look the part. It's about the only reason I might find the request appropriate. Otherwise, I'd advise not working in an environment where you're required to look a certain way if you're not comfortable looking that way.
My advice: find an office job or work from home job.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Suburban_Guy
I think it's perfectly legal for an upscale retail store that interacts with the public to require their employees to wear makeup. It's one of those job categories like flight attendants or bartenders.
If this is a deal breaker for the store to continue with the application, might have to try other stores that may have more lenient makeup policies.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jerseygal4u
Well,in correctional(prison) nursing,we are told not to wear any.
I love makeup because i look horrid without it,and get tired of other people asking me "What is wrong?"
But i do get the gist of not wearing any in an all male prison.
With this kind of logic, why don't they enourage you to use makeup to make yourself look uglier? Seriously...it just seems wrong. But of course employers can ask ALMOST anything of employees.
As others noted, this likely has to do more with the store customers than anything else. No matter how beautiful someone looks (or think they look) without makeup they might just come across as "unpolished" to the customers.
Sorry but I don't really see this as a human rights issue. If a store needs their employees to look polished to represent their high end brand why can't they expect the male employees to have groomed facial hair and female employees to wear makeup? And it's actually not clear from the OP if it even is indeed a requirement. As long as it's spelled out clearly in the job description there should be no confusion.
If their target market is men in this upscale retail store then I'm afraid the more that you look like Amber Heard the better. Since predictions of mall closings are beginning to come true, take the job and retrain.
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