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I just got my first performance appraisal at my job. I have worked as a HR Manager for a mid sized financial company in New York City (Manhattan). He told me that the team does not take me seriously and part of the reason is my long middle of my back hair. I have always had long hair and it is the only style I know. My boss pointed out women on the management team who have short or bob style hair who look more professional. He suggested if I want to be taken more seriously I should cut my hair.
No way should someone at work tell you how to wear your hair ( unless food service) but maybe try a low bun or low ponytail. if you like your hair long leave it.
I don't know that it's particularly sexist--it's not much difference than the manager telling a male employee that he shouldn't come to work with facial stubble. You have to decide if there's any merit to his advice and if it aligns with office culture. Your user name says that you're in HR, so you would know better than we would if your workplace has a dress code or grooming standards. Do any of the other women in your office have hair as long as yours? How do they wear it? Personally, I think that hair longer than your bra strap is pushing it for a conservative corporate environment (at least if it's worn long and not pulled up,) but that's just me.
Last edited by fleetiebelle; 08-01-2014 at 02:41 PM..
I have a hard time believing an HR manager would say something that stupid. They of all people in the corporate world would know better than to utter such a sexist statement.
It might be sexist but it might also be good advice. What is your hair like? How do you wear it? What color is it? If you've had the same style since you were a teenager, it might be time for a change. Is there anyone objective that you can ask about it?
No matter what anyone says, appearances do matter. There's a woman in our building who is in her 50's or 60's and wears her hair down to her waist. It's mostly gray and coarse looking and she doesn't style it in any way. She does her job well and I don't know if it affects her being taken seriously or not, but it does make me think that her hair was beautiful when she was young and she received a lot of compliments on it and now can't let it go.
I just got my first performance appraisal at my job. I have worked as a HR Manager for a mid sized financial company in New York City (Manhattan). He told me that the team does not take me seriously and part of the reason is my long middle of my back hair. I have always had long hair and it is the only style I know. My boss pointed out women on the management team who have short or bob style hair who look more professional. He suggested if I want to be taken more seriously I should cut my hair.
Is this sexist or good advice?
I think maybe he meant it's unprofessional to leave your hair long like that, and I somewhat agree. At the very least you should put it up in a bun or a chignon.
In corporate environments, men often aren't allowed to grow out their head hair or facial hair. In regards to hair, the way they are hired is the way they are expected to stay, so I don't think it's sexist. But it agree that it is stupid.
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