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On A Personal Note, The Water Cooler · October 19, 2009

Dealing With Hair Issues At Work


nat-282x300How many times have you been in the office and someone approaches you and blatanatly asks with a straight face, “How did you get your hair to do that?”  or something to that effect? Usually this is a question that comes from a person who has no idea the wonders that “our” hair can do, the creativeness that stems from the root, or the versatility that being of BrownSkin provides. I personally don’t think that the individual who asks these types of questions have racist intentions because there are plenty of times that our own race whom are the culprit. Sometimes it is us who are misguided by the misnomer that straight hair is the only beauty there is. Society will have you believing that the straight flow is the way to go, but we know better.  We understand that our hair is another form of expression and we can rock it straight or kinky or curly or natural or whatever. The problem is, though, how can one continue to rock their hair in a natural state, whether it be twists or locks or braids or a wide ‘fro or curly mane without it becoming a watercooler topic at work?

Currently, I am in the midst of becoming natural. I chose to do so because I am sick and tired of chemically treating my hair. It has become damaged, overprocessed, lifeless, and I am just ready for a change. During this hectic transitional phase, I am rocking a sew-in or half wigs to get me through, mostly of the curly variety. Already I am getting the questions from miseducated co-workers about my mane. It’s not that I mind personally discussing it with my colleague if it is coming from a good place, but a lot of these questions sound sillier than they do sincere and often times, I feel that I am spending my time carefully crafting my words so that I do not offend anyone.

But what if they are offending me?

In reality, we are in the workplace for a common goal, and that is to make money to pay our bills, not to discuss why we wear our hair a certain way. I don’t feel that I should have to explain or go through the process of what I do to get my hair to do whatever it does, but I would be a fool to think that others feel this isn’t discussion territory.

At a previous employer who I won’t name, my co-worker who wore blonde colored dreds was fired, I believe because of the way she wore her hair. We’ve never had proof of this, but it was well known that our boss constantly picked fights with this co-worker over non-issues and brought up her “style of hair” several times during company meetings and such. Now there was nothing in the employee handbook that mandated hairstyles. All that it mentioned was that our hair and grooming must be well kempt and neat, and I can certainly go on record by saying that this co-worker was flawless everyday. Her hair was a showstopper whenever we went out to lunch, but I honestly feel that if people dared to think outside of the box more, she wouldn’t have gotten so much attention. But because she didn’t wear her hair like everyone else, she was treated like an outcast by management and was terminated for an episode that in the end, wasn’t a fireable offense.

This co-worker took her case to the EEOC but nothing ever came of it.

I want to say, focus on my work. My track record. My attendance. My tenure as a manager. Not the way I choose to wear my hair. And let’s not even talk about what looks professional and what doesn’t. That “look” is in the eye of the beholder and baby, sometimes I would rather be eyes wide shut than to see some of my “professional” colleagues dressed in short skirts, halters, and other gear which look more like club gear than professional dress.

Nothing is said about their attire, so why are some of my co-workers being asked questions about their hair? Hmmm. A little food for thought. CubicleChicks, what so YOU think?


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In: On A Personal Note, The Water Cooler · Tagged: Black hair, braids, Natural hair, relaxers

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Comments

  1. Tani Joy says

    October 20, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    Thanks for posting this. I have been natural for almost 2 years and I work in corprate America. I am aware that a lot of companies discriminate against locs, fros, twitsts, etc. I have to admit that when I interviewed for my previous job I wore a wig and then surprised them during training w/ my huge Fro. They loved it, and I’m glad I didn’t have to sue. Lol even though society knows that we come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, hair textures…. society still views appropriate as straight hair, no color, skinny, etc. Its such a shame but I say go for it. I can’t wait to see you rock your natural hair. : )

    Reply
  2. LaVerne says

    October 21, 2009 at 1:53 am

    First of congrats on your transition!!!!! You know how I feel about the natural hair. I think my co-workers have finally gotten use to the fact that I'm wearing my kinky, curly, natural fro. They pretty much stopped asking questions after the first couple of months. I find that most of the time that I get asked the question…… "How did you get your hair to do that?"…..it comes from women of my own ethnicity. They don't seem to believe that my hair is naturally curly. I have to quickly let them know that our hair is naturally curly. That's what kinky hair is…..tightly coiled curly hair. If you take care of it you can loosen the coils and the curls will pop. I have to let them know the difference between kinky and nappy.

    Reply
  3. Dannigyrl says

    October 21, 2009 at 3:02 am

    Tani- I have seen your natural locks in photos and I love the way you switch your style. You show that as CubicleChicks, we can be fabulous no matter what type of style or hair type we choose.

    LaVerne- I have been with you through your natural hair progression and you were the catalyst to make me want to start to transition myself. KUDOS!

    Reply

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It’s always going to be the joy, peace, and grat It’s always going to be the joy, peace, and gratitude for me. ❤️
I'm too classy for this world, forever, I'm that g I'm too classy for this world, forever, I'm that girl. ♍️

This is 48! #happybirthday #hbd #hbdtome
Out of office email auto reply like… ✌🏾 Out of office email auto reply like… ✌🏾
Out here summering and whatnot… ☀️ Out here summering and whatnot… ☀️
Laylah and I had a girlies night out at the grand Laylah and I had a girlies night out at the grand opening of @bbtheatres in Creve Coeur. We definitely will be back soon! ✌🏾#recap #stl #stlouis #gno
When it’s 80 degrees out, and the sun is so brig When it’s 80 degrees out, and the sun is so bright so you have to squint. 😂😂😂 #stl #stlwx #spring
29 years ago today, my SONshine was born! @codismi 29 years ago today, my SONshine was born! @codismith, you are the BEST son a mom could have, and I’m so blessed to be your momma! Love you to the moon and back and then some. Enjoy your day, my Aries offspring! ♈️
I could wax poetic and get all mushy and whatnot b I could wax poetic and get all mushy and whatnot but—I won’t this time! Happy 67th Birthday, Mama! I love you! ❤️
When I was Sweet 16. #tbt #throwbackthursday When I was Sweet 16. #tbt #throwbackthursday
To all the lovers. A little flower arrangement fro To all the lovers. A little flower arrangement from me to you for Love Day. ❤️❤️❤️ #valentines #valentinesday #love
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