how are curls unprofessional?

greytmommy · 08-21-2012, 02:16 PM

Posting a lot of thread this afternoon....lol....

Just curious, but I have seen a few comments about how curls are not appropriate for work. This confuses me..... what type of jobs have this? Why would it be seen as unprofessional? It is genetics.....isn't it like saying my shortness is not appropriate for my job? Or my freckles are unprofessional?

Someone enlighten me how something you have NO control over would be considered bad for a job..... am I just really naieve or something?

Jpop825 · 08-21-2012, 02:25 PM

I think a company can be sued for discrimination for that, and should be

MissKris · 08-21-2012, 03:35 PM

Never seen a company like that b4. Curls are unprofessional?? I've never heard this one...

Birth Feb 1984, First press 1990, First relaxer 1992, Last relaxer Oct 2006, BC Sept 2007, 4c.....

whisper_hotshot · 08-21-2012, 04:26 PM

well maybe for a modling... or to some digree cooking and having to put up your 'frizzy crazy wild hair'.. lol idk this is what ran thro my head reading this thread

DepressedCurls · 08-21-2012, 04:49 PM

They sometimes steer from it because it comes off as unkept and ungroomed. And sometimes distracting.

greytmommy · 08-21-2012, 04:50 PM

I SWEAR I have read passing comments on here about not fixing hair curly b/c of work.
I don't think I am delusional....... but it is possible. :-P

PerriP · 08-21-2012, 05:00 PM

I remember that thread, too. And I think it is seen as "not as professional" as straight hair (for the reasons mentioned above). I, of course, disagree

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capellifelici · 08-21-2012, 05:00 PM

Wow never heard of that one before. Crazy. Disappointing. Sad =\

crazycurlychick · 08-21-2012, 05:05 PM

In my opinion curls can be seen as very professional because with minimal effort you can create a nice updo or something else because curls just look "dressy"

3A/B mix with flat roots dark blonde (refusing to call it brunette I miss my blonde baby hair) lovin my curls

DepressedCurls · 08-21-2012, 06:37 PM

I work at walgreens and ruby Tuesday and it's very different. Walgreens embraces my curls. I'm constantly complimented. As for ruby Tuesday, where i have to dress up very modern and dressy, it's sometimes looked at as bringing my look down or not going with the sleek look of outfit ect. The updos are normally okay but if i wear it down, it's 50/50 on if it'll be okay or criticized for seeming unkept. Sigh. Love my curls anyways.

AngryLobster · 08-21-2012, 06:41 PM

I graduated college this year and had some lady at a coffeeshop tell me I'd better get a more professional look in order to get a job! Needless to say, I sent some serious grumpy vibes in her direction.

adthomas · 08-21-2012, 06:56 PM

The only time I wear my hair curly at work is on weekends when my boss isn't around and I'm having a low key day where I'm staying in the office. But about a week ago he came in unexpectedly and I had actually forgotten I was wearing curls until he made a comment of about my hair being poofy. There are a few other curlies who as far as I know only do on weekends.

Auntie Bubbs · 08-21-2012, 07:53 PM

Curls can be perceived as unprofessional, however, a company cannot discriminate based on whether someone's hair is curly or straight. That means in hiring, and in making comments on someone's personal appearance after someone has gotten a job.
Likewise, a woman with curly hair cannot be made to wear her hair straightened just because the look is perceived to be more professional than curly hair, and she cannot be made to wear her hair up, or tied back. A person - male or female - can be asked to maintain a clean, professional, groomed appearance, and that is all. For men that refers to facial hair and the length of their hair (usually if they have long hair, it must be neatly cut, and sometimes tied back), for women that usually refers to tidiness of their hair. Frizz is a natural hair property, however, so a company can't say to a woman: your hair is frizzy, we don't allow that, do something about it. Just like they can't say, dye your grey roots, we don't allow you to have grey roots, it's not professional.
In general, hair has to be washed, not greasy, and not uncombed. Technically it doesn't even have to be styled; a woman can just tie it back, or she can trim it herself so that it looks neat (easier for a woman with straight hair to do, I think).

Now, the nicer your hair looks, and the nicer you dress, the better your overall professional image is, and the better kinds of jobs you might be able to get, or the better your chances of promotion, etc. But that relates to overall image, and IMO overall image is just a part of the whole, of which ability is a larger part. I personally don't subscribe to the faction that immediately leaps to the assumption that there's curl discrimination in the workplace, but that's because I've never experienced it. I've never had a boss or a coworker ever make a negative comment on my curls in over 20 years. Not saying it doesn't happen, of course. Just that I haven't had it happen to me.

elizard · 08-21-2012, 09:42 PM

I don't think it has to do with the curls per se but rather having unkempt hair. A lot of curly girls do not know how to manage their hair. Some straight girls don't either and that's not professional! I know I've gone in with second day hair in the past that looks a mess. As long as your curls are nicely maintained you shouldn't have a problem. My 2 cents.

StellarCurls · 08-21-2012, 11:00 PM

I think part of my personal reasoning behind occasionally straightening for job interviews is that when I straighten (which I do maybe once a month or once every other month), I know exactly what to expect. When my hair is curly, it's a free-for-all whether it will look nice or messy.

Gretchen · 08-22-2012, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StellarCurls

I think part of my personal reasoning behind occasionally straightening for job interviews is that when I straighten (which I do maybe once a month or once every other month), I know exactly what to expect. When my hair is curly, it's a free-for-all whether it will look nice or messy.

Logical reasoning!

Mom2lyse20 · 08-22-2012, 08:29 AM

Funny I see this post.....just because I have a meeting tomorrow for my job where we are suppose to go business casual to ( I wear scrubs and curly hair everyday otherwise) and I DO NOT want to straighten my hair! I want to go curly but am afraid of what they might think! we merged with a new company so this is to congratulate everyone on a new beginning! I'm going curly...hopefully its ok! :/

sdkitty · 08-22-2012, 10:40 AM

I think it depends on the work environment and your hair style. If it's a very conservative environment and your curls are long and unruly, it may not be a fit. When I was looking for office work, I straightened my hair (to play it safe) and then after I got the job, I wore it curly.

earthnuts · 08-22-2012, 05:09 PM

When I think my hair is being too unruly-looking, I put it up. There are so many awesome updos you can do if your hair is armpit length or longer. A good updo always looks professional, even when you have a bunch of oil in your hair.

Auntie Bubbs · 08-22-2012, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdkitty

I think it depends on the work environment and your hair style. If it's a very conservative environment and your curls are long and unruly, it may not be a fit. When I was looking for office work, I straightened my hair (to play it safe) and then after I got the job, I wore it curly.

I agree with your first statement, but I do take exception to the phrase, "long and unruly" - curls can be long and not unruly, and they can be short and wild. Let's remember that length is not a condition of how kempt, or unkempt, one's hair is, just as curly or straight is not.