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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSister who shaved head in solidarity told to wear wig at work
This so sucks.
Sister who shaved head in solidarity told to wear wig at work
Eun Kyung Kim TODAY
"My sister and I have been best friends for as long as I can remember, Strandberg told TODAY. Weve done everything together."
That includes fighting cancer.
Last year, at age 23, Lowe battled stage-three ovarian cancer. Big sister Strandberg, who had just beaten cervical cancer, shaved her head as a sign of solidarity for her balding sibling, who was losing her hair from chemotherapy.
It meant more than, I think, she even knows, Lowe said in the segment that aired Monday.
Two weeks ago, when the sisters learned that Lowes cancer had returned, Strandberg knew what she had to do.
They told her chemo, and I found my clippers, she said.
But this time, Strandberg, a hair stylist at a Spokane, Wash., salon, said work reacted differently to her decision. She said supervisors asked her to wear a wig, claiming that she couldnt market hair products without hair and that her baldness might make clients uncomfortable.
Strandberg said she had no choice but quit her job.
more...
http://www.today.com/news/sister-who-shaved-head-solidarity-told-wear-wig-work-6C10345060
still_one
(94,956 posts)Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)Unless she signed an employment agreement that gives her certain rights, or unless she belongs to a union, her employer can fire her "for cause" for just about any reason, except violating the federal guarantees of non-discrimination in employment.
We can be fired for not dressing a certain way, not looking a certain way, being 5 minutes late, or just because. It's the same for employers as it is for employees, only flipped. We can quit for any reason, unless we signed an employment agreement or belong to a union that has given the employer some rights in that regard.
It's because of her unique job...she works in a hair salon..that makes her shaved head of special concern. Maybe if she would have agreed to wear a label explaining her shaved head? But I see their point...it'd be hard for her to push smooth & silky hair conditioner, if she's bald. The business thought it would cost them money. It wouldn't cost MY employer money, so even tho it's a professional office, they might go along with it. But I'm not sure.
NV Whino
(20,886 posts)I hate the fucking TVs at my laundromat. I hate my laundromat, but I digress.
The smart thing for the salon to have done, would have been to ask all their operators if they would shave in solidarity. Great PR for the salon.
blue neen
(12,395 posts)How cruel!
Ilsa
(62,110 posts)a new, compassionate salon.
niyad
(118,209 posts)spin on it.
I really don't see a problem. here, a number of people participate in st. baldrick's day (mar 17) shaving their heads in support of cancer survivors. and, many of them then wear a button that reads "ask me why I am bald". simple, yes?
mythology
(9,527 posts)Or more accurately I suppose, pushes somebody into quitting over this. Even if you think it's unattractive, given the circumstances, couldn't the boss just get over it?
KentuckyWoman
(6,842 posts)the boss people at this salon are flaming idiot.
Down my way the local hair place raffled off chances to shave the heads of nearly every teacher in town to raise money for a local mom of 5 with cancer. AND gave out free hair goop to anyone who signed the pledge to grow hair for cancer wigs.
Was the right thing to do AND good business.