woman loses job for refusing to wear makeup

[Nevada]

not sure how I feel about this one...if it is there requirement then you have to comply...but as someone who doesnt like to wear makeup I can understand

http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2004-12-28-makeup_x.htm

[Psyche]

Darlene Jespersen, who had worked for nearly 20 years at a Harrah's Entertainment (HET) casino bar in Reno, objected to the company's revised policy that required female bartenders, but not male ones, to wear makeup.
Based on that sentence alone, I think she was completely in the right. If she had been allowed to go make-up-less for close to 20 years and they just now changed the guidelines, she should have been allowed to continue her practice.

I do see it as sexist.

[Lady Sarah]

erm, heh... it cuts both ways... In the casinos and that line of work (casino hosts/esses, waitresses, bartenders) it's not only how good you are behind the bar, it's your appearance. If this lady is fabulous looking without the makeup, brava for her for not wearing any. If I could get away with no makeup at all, I'd do it. However, what is the extent of the requirement for 'makeup'? Is it acceptable enough to wear just eyeliner and mascara with a smudge of sheer lipstick? Are they requiring she goes the pancake showgirl makeup?

Harrah's set themselves up for a lawsuit by stating that the women only are required to wear makeup. However, her appearance is part and parcel of the job. Casinos are in the business of making money, and a pretty face (even without makeup) brings the money in to the bar.

Do I agree with the decision? No. Just like I refuse to even think about employment at Countrywide Mortgage because of their "must wear pantyhose" dress code.

[In Hiding]

I agree with psyche...

She worked there 20 years! Hello!!! I'm sure if she started working there around 18 or so that means she's almost 40 now...I'm sure they were just looking for a good and easy way to get rid of her on top of the makup issue. Young firm women sell.... sad but true. :(

[Eric McTavish]

Well I (and TinkerWench) worked in a casino and I can tell you apperance is #1 men had to have buffed and polished nails clean shaven (beards and moustasches neetly trimed) etc...

another of Harrah's policy changes...
"The new policy will provide pregnancy outfits (or alternate duty) for cocktail servers, but they MUST fit into their old outfits (same size) when they return to work from pregnancy leave."
Basically, you MUST continue your employment in the same dress size you were when you started. With one exception. If you have breast augmentation surgery, they'll give you a new dress.

Fun stuff working in that industry...

[Nevada]

I worked in the hotel front desk business ---I had to wear a skirt, hose, makeup etc...fine and dandy until the air conditioning broke down in the middle of summer...made mgt agree I could go hoseless and makeup less until it was fixed.....damn it was hot in there :shock:

[Dmitri]

these places are a fantasy... and the LOOK of it, meaning Guys and Girls, is integral to that fantasy... I don't have an issue with this...