Discrimination?

[naomi24]

A hairdresser is being sued after refusing to employ a Muslim woman who wanted to wear a headscarf at work. Is it justified?

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-234 20128-details/Hairdresser+sued+for+refusing+to +hire+Muslim+woman+in+a+headscarf/article.do

[gina32]

she has been turned down for 25 jobs, and she thinks its because of the headwear, surely 25 refusals would make you realise youre not as good as you think you are. and no i dont think its justified,, she had her feelings hurt oh please she is going to get a lot worse than that in her life and the sooner she realises it the better, if there was a muslim hardressers would the same rule apply, i.e christain have to wear a scarf, do i really need to answer that one?? what a complete waste of time and money. pull yourself together woman and get a job that suits your religion if it bothers you so much

[jake-the-peg]

Sarah Desrosiers expects her staff to help 'sell image'

From the look of it her image involves 20 tonnes of cosmetics and a forklift truck!

I know which one of the two I'd sooner employ!

[Booldawg]

I wonder if she pitched up at the interview wearing that hideous houndstooth pattern jacket? LOL, hope she doesnt sue ME for hurting her feelings now.

[Booldawg]

agree with JTP. It looks like Aunt Sally from Worzel Gummidge did her make up.

[jno]

so what basis do you think she was rejected on before, gina32? Are job applicants expected to actually cut someone's hair to demonstrate their skills? (Bit risky, I'd have thought if you don't know how good they are.) Or if not, what? This one did specifically say it was the headscarf.

[Oneeyedvic]

Silly bint (wonder how much that is worth as hurt feelings)?

Whilst I am someone who will always stand up for minority rights, people like Miss Noah really get my goat. These are the people who do more to alienate their community that anyone else.

[gina32]

jno how does she know its always the headscarf even tho they didnt say that, she had 18 months experience at a salon, so why leave if you havent got another job, if she was sacked why?

[gina32]

if i had 15 grand every time my feelings had been hurt id be minted.

[Reverandfunk]

I dont see a problem, its like me wanting to be a tattooist but having none myself.

I'm waiting for the bricklayer who won't wear a hard hat....

[jiggy-gb]

It wouldn't bother me whatsoever to have a woman with a headscarf do my hair, why should it? Both parties seem to be being a bit petty in this case. When I go shopping for underwear I don't expect to be able to view the shop assistant's undies, why should i expect to see a hairdresser's hair?

[jno]

I've no idea, gina32, that's why I asked. How do you decide whether someone's a good hairdresser or not? In this case it was definitely the scarf because the owner said so. Maybe other owners have done the same, the story doesn't say. In theory, it makes sense for a hairdresser to have her own hair on show but the demand does sound a little odd coming from a woman who looks like Heidi with dark roots and a gallon of slap.

[gina32]

but she does say her shop is about being urban and funky. i would assume that her skills are tried out on models otherwise how would you know. and i think she has every right to say she didnt want to employ her because of the scarf. the other hairdressers didnt say it was because of the scarf as she herself said they didnt say that but "she knew!"

[jake-the-peg]

I think her case is that she's trying to build an image around her shop and that image involves having young trendy people working there.

Which incidently would be illegal now too - I suppose she's turn down a stylist in her 50s for the same reasons.

That's why I make a point of what she looks like herself - I'd like to better boldawg's aunt Sally comment - but it hits the nail on the head!

[Oneeyedvic]

All businesses have a typical type of person that they want to employ.

You would not go into a gym and expect to see someone obese behind the counter.

You would not expect to go into a restaurant and see someone waiting whose personal hygiene is questionable.

You would not expect to go into a modern clothes shop and see someone in their 80's serving.

That is not to say that in any of the above examples that they would necessarily be a bad employee - it is just not the image that the business wants to portray - and that is the overriding factor which must be taken into account

[jake-the-peg]

That doesn't make it legal vic!

You can't descriminate on age or gender or race just because it doesn't fit you'r ideal picuture of your perfect employee!

[China Doll]

Thisis another one of those stories that makes me shrug and go 'newah' however I would like to point out that if most hairdressers I know/have been to are anything to go by, a head scarf would be an asset. Hairdressers very often have bad hair.

[Pippa68]

What about these so-called 'personality tests' employers have nowadays? (or do they...I know they used to!).

Maybe she has been turned down 25 times because she just isn't right for this kind of work, regardless of the headscarf? just a thought..

[Reverandfunk]

if as a DJ i was say 50 dressed in a cardigan and had a Val Doonican boxset and I turned up for a job at Ministry of Sound what do you think their reaction would be??

[Oneeyedvic]

Jake - So do you think it realistic that as a man I could apply at ladies beauty parlours or possibly in the lingerie department of a store. If I applied for several jobs and got turned down, I should then be able to sue the potential employee?

She has been turned down not because of the colour of her skin or because of her religious beliefs. She was turned down as she insists on wearing a scarf which (in the employer's opinion) is not in keeping with their corporate image or letting customer's view their hairstyles.

Maybe the employer is being a bit naive - but that is what happens in small businesses.

Go to a Bannatyne's gym and find me someone overweight on reception.

Go to British Airways and find me an obese airhostess.

How about a fat model? Should all the people who are overweight and got refused by modelling agencies be entitled to sue for hurt feelings?

[naomi24]

As someone pointed out in a letter to the newspaper, would a girl be employed as a lap dancer if she refused to take her clothes off?