melissa-bee
Well-Known Member
....
link: http://sistercircleconfessions.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/when-your-hair-is-not-straight-enough.html
Short version in bold.
link: http://sistercircleconfessions.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/when-your-hair-is-not-straight-enough.html
Short version in bold.
When your hair is not STRAIGHT enough to work...smh
I was recently hired to be employed with a counseling agency where I work. However, as I arrived on my first day of my orientation, I was pulled aside into the adjacent room next door from where the other new employees were located. One of the employers of agency began to discuss to me about “commending” me on going “natural” with my hair. However, due to the agency being “very conservative” they felt that it was best for me to not wear my hair “out” in its natural state. She begin to state, “(Name omitted) has long hair but she tucks it in like a bun to keep consumers from getting distracted in wanting to touch, feel or have the chance to pull her hair.“ She then begin to explain to me that wearing my hair “out” in its natural state “could cause the clients to go into psychosis” because “changing up” my hairstyle so often will distract them from the services they needed.
First, I would like to start off my saying I was shocked that they assumed due to my hair being natural I would wear my hair “out” and/or “wild” in a professional setting or any other setting. It has occurred to me that they have yet reviewed my clinical skills and duties I performed during my clinical training at my internship. My internship was conservative as well and I was never advised by the directors or my internship supervisor about my hair “being a distraction” and was always aware that wearing my hair “out” or “down” could possibly be a potential safety violation when working with patients diagnosed with mental health disorders such as Paranoid Schizophrenia and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as well as have a high acuity of suicidal ideation and homicidal ideation. Second, I would like to state that during the first two interviews, my hair was never “out” or “wild” but worn very professionally in a neat bun. I would not dare come into a counseling agency or any agency without first making sure my attire and appearance were professional. During orientation my hair was styled in a professional manner and was straight and not in its “natural“state.
Orientation day
First interview
Third, I feel that if my hair was the biggest concern they had for their agency, this matter should have been addressed during the second interview. However, my question was how would my hair be such a distraction (when in its natural state) when my clinical skills and what I have learned at my internship for one year and six months should demonstrate that I am a qualified professional for this agency?
During this discussion about my hair, the director of the agency, joined us in the room when she heard me say that I would not wear my hair “out” and that I wear my hair straight majority of the time while working with patients who are diagnosed with mental health disorders. The director interrupted and stated, “Let me make myself perfectly clear. I am very strict when it comes to my employees’ appearance.” She then began to ask, “How was your hair during the interviews?” I explained to her that I never wore my hair “out” but in a neat bun on the first interview in my hair’s natural state as well as my second interview but only straight. The director then stated, “I cannot tell you that you have to put a relaxer in your hair but I will say due to the decision of the board and our review of you we have made the decision that you are not fit and inappropriate to continue with orientation and you will need to report here tomorrow morning with your hair appropriately styled.” This news came as a shock for me because I was in disbelief that I was sent home due to my hair. However, a Caucasian woman with straight hair but dressed in inappropriate attire to the orientation (I.e. casual khaki pants, t-shirt and sneakers) was given a warning about her attire and was advised she could stay. What shocked me even more was the fact that the director of the agency and the director of this agency were both African American women discussing such a discriminating statement about my hair being a “distraction” when I would not think to present myself in an unprofessional manner. I am an African American female and to have another African American female disclose that my appearance is a distraction but not focus on what I have learned at my previous internship brought nothing but disappointment.
Later that evening, I received a voicemail from the administrative assistant for this agency providing me with news that the director made the decision that I should not come back for orientation due to “not being a good fit for the agency.” I was extremely displeased that a voicemail with news like this was left on my phone in such an unprofessional manner. I did not understand why this decision was not professionally addressed while I was at their office or addressed over the phone as a conversation and not left as a message on my voicemail.
I feel that this agency was very unethical and unprofessional in handling this manner. I have turned down other offers from agencies and discontinued my search for other potential employment once they offered me the opportunity to join their agency. I am not expecting any monetary damages but simply equality and justice to know that one’s skills and clinical training are acknowledged more so than one’s “natural state” of their hair. Working in the mental health field is a conservative field of work but I have known professionals who are “natural” and work at conservative agencies other than this agency. When I attended graduate school, I was taught to learn that we as counselors are professionals who are in this world to make a difference in other people’s lives and be unbiased about how a person looks regardless sex, age, ethnicity or even the appearance of their clothes and hair. I furthered my education because I believe we are clinical “helpers” to guide those in need of support and assist in transforming the negative coping skills into healthier and positive coping strategies in their lives. However, we are also individuals when working professionally side by side with each other that we are not quick to judge others or make biased decisions about how well they can or cannot present appropriate counseling to consumers based on their appearance. This experience has taught me a very valuable lesson but this experience will never let me forget how unprofessional this agency is to represent this wonderful world mental health counseling and therapy. If they cannot provide justice and equality among their employees, I cannot imagine them providing justice and equality for their consumers.
This happened in the Mental Health field?? Outrageous! Maybe I'm spoiled by having worked in NYC facilities only, and that's not saying they're a picnic to work for, but holy heck that does Not happen! That is such a violation of that woman's Self...and such overwhelming discrimination... From that to have come from other women in the Mental Health field blows me away. We dress professionally yes, but everyone is allowed self expression....tattoos, piercings, natural hair, dreads, wigs, relaxed....whatever! I've worked in Many different settings, and this has Never been an issue. I've only heard of 1 facility having those kinds of rules, and they're known system wide, because it is a Orthodox Jewish facility. You know that going in, and you know what the standards are, and Everyone meets them. At the most, I kept my hair up in a ponytail or bun, to prevent it from being ripped out...not because it would give one of the Consumers a breakdown. How absurd! 
