Monday 11 March 2013

We are lawyering up, man. That's it.

- Horrible Bosses (2011).


Defending bare skin.
On a night out with the girls, we were (again) chatting about jobs.
(I've heard these things called 'lives' that twenty somethings have - can someone enlighten me?)

My friend told me that now, as part of her working contract she is required to wear make-up as part of her uniform. To work in a clothes shop. She explained the contract states the employee must look presentable, wear make-up and wear clean uniform.

The first and last I can totally get on board with - but hey wait a minute, my choice to wear make up is exactly that, my choice.

I can look presentable with bare skin and no mascara - can't I?

Make-up is not a necessity - its a luxury.

A slick of eyeliner does not make me any better at my job, and I'd be highly offended if my work were to stipulate such a demand in my contract.

What do you think?

Do you wear make-up to work or not?

I'd love to hear your opinions on this.




x

11 comments:

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  2. I do wear make up too work, but that's my choice, that's how I feel most comfortable; that is absolutely outrageous that girls are forced to wear makeup, that's like basically stating no woman can look even mildly passable without a bit of foundation on, totally and completely wrong!

    A little bit Unique

    x

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  3. I've heard of this happening in quite a few places, it's non uncommon at all! A few people that I worked with in retail were told by our manager that they needed to wear more, and I girl I knew from Sixth Form worked in a bank and was told that she wasn't presentable to customers because she wasn't wearing any make up! It's absolutely ridiculous, it's a choice not a requirement!

    Sophs xx

    The Sopho Diaries

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  4. I find this quite shocking! You wouldn't tell a person they didn't look presentable enough if they had a birthmark, scarring or even a cold sore would you? I would get very stroppy of someone told me I had to cover my face in make up to be considered acceptable. Yes I wear it, but on MY terms, when I choose. Grrrrr!

    Kate
    Just Pirouette and Carry On...

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  5. Wow that's ridiculous!

    xo Jennifer

    http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

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  6. That is utterly shocking! I'm about to start a new job on a make up counter so make up is obviously a requirement to look the part specifically there but in my current job in a clothes store although I'm supposed to look fashionable and sell the clothes and the brand I've never been told to go put make up on when I come in without it, and I'd be furious if I was!

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  7. I think it's terrible that employers are allowed to state that employees must wear make-up to work - the men don't have to wear it do they? And if they wanted to, that'd be their choice. Just like it should be a woman's choice!! I know a friend of mine who worked at a popular chemist store was to have so so clean nails, cut down, etc etc, and I'm sure something about make-up was stated in her contract too (possibly a 'natural look') xx

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  8. WOW! I've never heard of this before.. maybe because I haven't worked anywhere decent haha.. but I have heard of no funky hair dye, covering tattoos and removing piercings to make you look more "presentable" to the public. I mean I would always CHOOSE to wear make up because I look like I've just crawled out of a crypt without it but I would hate to be TOLD I had to.

    But then again I recently found out Jack Wills advertise for "models" instead of sales assistant to make sure they only employ beautiful skinny people.. no wonder society has an issue with looks!

    Amy x cocktailsinteacups.blogspot.co.uk

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  9. I've heard of this before, I think it varies based on the job specifically retail outlets which pride themselves on their models/sales assistants as a form of advertising. For most jobs though, I think you would cause to take them to court if they sacked you for violating that rule.

    No matter what though, no make-up is better than bad make-up for work.

    themaibug.blogspot.com

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  10. My best friend works as cabin crew and they need to wear foundation etc to have a clear complexion. I heard that if you have an acne breakout that can't be hidden, Easyjet won't let you fly. It's also funny that she can only have red nails if she has red lipstick, and can't mix and match nude and red. Who knew?! I do get that it's inappropriate, though personally I wear makeup every day anyway so I can't say it would affect *me* too much - but it would bug me, I'd start thinking 'well that's fine but what about male employees?' xxx

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  11. That's awful. I wear makeup when I can be bothered (when I used to work the super early shift with commute, up at 5am, I never work makeup because who can be arsed?) but to require it is surely taking it a step to far. I'd look into whether there's a comparable requirement for men at this workplace because if not a case could probably be made for discrimination.
    S xx

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