: C'mon! If you were to walk into any fast food place and see that all the crew employees look like they just came back from a rave or a Sex Pistols concert, how confident would you be in the service you'd get? In how the food is prepared? In their hygiene habbits? Unless their appearance affects their performance eg. long, dirty hair when cooking or serving food, it won't bother me how they look. I think most dress codes are pointless and have nothing to do with professional delivery of a service. What is the point, for example, about wearing a tie? How does it help one perform our work better? In fact I can think of a lot of people who use their so called "professional" suit and tie appearance to rip their customers off. Most top people within the fianancial sector fall within this category. And this is only an example. Another example is the top managers at McD.
:While I do believe that termination IS a harsh penalty.
It may also be illegal on the grounds of discrimination.
: I can see where the owner is concerned when it comes to his business.
Well you would wouldn't you. As I said before, you are always on the side of the employer.
: the point I'm trying to make Siamak is that there are limits to everything.
I agree. But where do you draw the line and what are the criteria? I think hygene and whatever gets in the way of doing you job properly are appropriate criteria. You say people's (customers and managers) stereotypes and prejudiced perceptions should be taken into account too. I disagree.
: Finally, no I'm not at all for a dictatorship management as your post seems to imply. I have spoken up when a policy I couldn't stand has come to pass.
Could you give us an example?
:I have also pointed out problems and suggested solutions without fear of it coming back to haunt me.
Your solutions are impractical and defensive though. Why, for example, should McD employees avoid answring the phone at home on their rest days just because the managers may be phoning them the to order them them to turn up for work? A better solution is to force the employers to stop hassling and pressurising their employees.
