October 04, 2006
The Irony!
One of the cases studies in Human Resource Management revolves around diversity in a telecommunications company. At work the other day, coincidentally, I was informed that I will be invited to some kind of forum/workshop on diversity, particularly related to how the company deals with non-Japanese employees. Apparently, someone within the company is aware that we are not doing enough to attract people from different nations and people with disabilities. The only 'diversity' issue they have addressed so far is the numer of women here, but even that has been done somewhat half-heartedly (no women in upper management, as far as I am aware.)
Anyway, so the kind of issues in my university notes (working long hours, a male-centric culture) were all relevant to real life at the company I work for. It looks like the company is attempting to consider these issues...and then, the very next day, we received a new 'dress code' document. It contained all the usual nonsense about dressing so you won't embarrass the company, but there is also a section on HAIR COLOUR. Tha attached image shows what tint you are NOT ALLOWED to colour your hair. Up to number 9 is OK, 10 and over are AGAINST COMPANY POLICY! So we encourage diversity, welcome people from all over the world, as long as they don't dye their hair the wrong shade!!!! What a lot of nonsense!!!
Of course any company policy on hair colour is silly, but that has nothing to do with diversity. Diversity is about ethnicity, cultural and perhaps professional backgrounds, gender, race, sexual orientation, disabilities etc. It is not about fashion i.e. a choice you make and how the company prefers their people to appear. I don't think a dress code policy violates the principles of diversity.
Posted by: Dirk at October 5, 2006 01:10 PMDirk,
You have to think a bit deeper than that. Who dyes their hair most? Women. In England, certainly, you will struggle to find a woman over 40 who is not colouring her hair. So, yes, I agree that it is fashion, but the policy disqualifies/discriminates against certain groups. That's a diversity issue.
The real question is if your hair is already the wrong color do you need to bring a doctor's note saying you did not dye it? And do they still have that rule in schools there?
Posted by: D at October 6, 2006 06:40 AM> Who dyes their hair most? Women.
That's a sexist prejudice :)
Seriously, I disagree with your reasoning. There are plenty of men with bleached hair (at least in Kashiwa). What if you banned smoking in certain areas? That may affect more men. Does that make it an equality issue? Probably not. Can't see any discrimination here, although once more I think the policy itself is very silly and sad.
Ooh, I wouldn't do well there. My hair's a 14! (That is my natural colour but I do sometimes dye it. The same colour. Not very imaginative of me...)
Posted by: Helen at October 14, 2006 10:08 PM