Is this request rude or racist?

[Anonymous]

Not rude or racist but can easily be framed as such
Changing wigs is dumb IMO, at least to the point where people don’t recognize you. Too bad it can’t be called what it is - dumb! Regardless of race!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t seem that unreasonable to me. The manager is asking her to have a consistent look at avoid confusing patients with memory issues.

This. The op seems to indicate that the employee is consistent with wig, not that the employee does not wear a wig or change hairstyle or use specific wig color. It’s neither rude nor racist unless there is more to the story.

No it doesn’t. The OP says that one day it will be X, the next day it will be Y.

[Anonymous]

In a nursing home setting, requiring staff to have a consistent appearance is reasonable because elderly residents with memory loss may become confused. My aunt's mom ended up in memory care and as the grandkids grew taller, even that would get her very confused because in her mind they were supposed to be shorter because that's how she remembered them.

I think this policy would only become racist if it wasn't uniformly applied. It should also apply to blondes who want to become brunettes or men who want to grow out their hair. Some change is reasonable, but let's face it, with a change of hair and makeup any one of us could look like an entirely different person.

[Anonymous]

What if a white woman wears her hair down one day, and in a pony tail the next day. Would that be confusing to a dementia patient? How about dyeing one’s hair? Highlighting it? Growing a beard or mustache, or shaving one off? I would think all of these details would have to be in the HR policy to be sure that this woman isn’t being targeted for having AA hair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not rude or racist but can easily be framed as such
Changing wigs is dumb IMO, at least to the point where people don’t recognize you. Too bad it can’t be called what it is - dumb! Regardless of race!

BS. People can change wigs as often as they like and lots of women of color do exactly this. This entire post is filled with white privilege.

[Anonymous]

It’s ageist.

[Anonymous]

I didn't read all the replies. Given the person is around elderly dementia patients, I think it's totally reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Unless you know someone with dementia, your advice is unlikely to be helpful.

Unless you are a lawyer, your belief about what is illegal discrimination (bc not all discrimination is illegal) is . . . same.

[Anonymous]

The wig changing is preventing you from fulfilling the responsibilities of your job. You have an obligation to maintain a consistent appearance or leave the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s ageist.

Funniest and the most stupid remark here. Congrats!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if a white woman wears her hair down one day, and in a pony tail the next day. Would that be confusing to a dementia patient? How about dyeing one’s hair? Highlighting it? Growing a beard or mustache, or shaving one off? I would think all of these details would have to be in the HR policy to be sure that this woman isn’t being targeted for having AA hair.

If you don't work with dementia patients, and you don't, clearly, just stop contributing here. It isn't helping.

No, there is literally nothing racist about clothing issues, wigs, etc. Nurses and other health personnel can't have certain jewelry or long fingernails or their own clothing choices. They wear uniforms.
This thread is going places it doesn't need to go. Enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Context is working at a posh, upscale retirement community. If the manager pulls a worker aside and request that she not wear different "confusing" wigs to work. This worker wears different wigs that all look like they are growing out of her scalp, but one day it will be a short dark brown bob, the next it will be jet black long and curly, another day it may be a dark brown pixie cut. These obviously are wigs that look really natural. If the manager makes this request on the grounds that the residents (some with dementia) will be confused, is this unreasonable?

Yes it’s unreasonable and racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if a white woman wears her hair down one day, and in a pony tail the next day. Would that be confusing to a dementia patient? How about dyeing one’s hair? Highlighting it? Growing a beard or mustache, or shaving one off? I would think all of these details would have to be in the HR policy to be sure that this woman isn’t being targeted for having AA hair.

The difference between dye, highlight, length, etc. is that you'll do it one day, but you won't have a different color the next day and the day after and the day after.

Same with length.

It's silly to act like someone with natural hair is gonna come in Monday with black hair, Tuesday with red hair, Wednesday with blonde hair, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Context is working at a posh, upscale retirement community. If the manager pulls a worker aside and request that she not wear different "confusing" wigs to work. This worker wears different wigs that all look like they are growing out of her scalp, but one day it will be a short dark brown bob, the next it will be jet black long and curly, another day it may be a dark brown pixie cut. These obviously are wigs that look really natural. If the manager makes this request on the grounds that the residents (some with dementia) will be confused, is this unreasonable?

Yes it’s unreasonable and racist.

Didn't you read what the AA attorney wrote on page 9??

It's neither unreasonable or racist.

Just because you want it to be doesnt make it so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: If the manager makes this request on the grounds that the residents (some with dementia) will be confused, is this unreasonable?

Tell us more about this, OP.

Not Op but I have prosopagnosia do can’t remember faces much less hair. This would be a real issue for me and I don’t have dementia. I remember voices and conversations but not what people look like.