Is this request rude or racist?

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

Are other employees asked to keep their hair the same?

[Anonymous]

This is racist. If she's fired over it, she should absolutely get an attorney.

[Anonymous]

Not ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are other employees asked to keep their hair the same?

No, but other employees aren't making such drastic changes on a regular basis that it's noticeable by management.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is racist. If she's fired over it, she should absolutely get an attorney.

How is it racist?

[Anonymous]

Did the employee feel it was racist?
It’s OK and she be normalized with people to say ‘I felt slighted when you x,y,z’ and then the other person says ‘this is what I meant’

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

How about name tags for workers instead?

[Anonymous]

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.

the problem is it likely only applies to Black employees whereas a white employee with a pony tail on mon, curly hair weds, and extensive highlights Friday gets a pass.

[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.

It's an assisted living for older/elderly people, many of whom have dementia. They may recognize someone but with a whole new look they might get agitated or scared by not recognizing the person.

[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.

the problem is it likely only applies to Black employees whereas a white employee with a pony tail on mon, curly hair weds, and extensive highlights Friday gets a pass.

Exactly. However, the white woman with highlights (let's say strawberry blonde) on friday isn't going to come in with say jet black hair on monday.

[Anonymous]

You know assisted living places can’t find employees, right?
Is this really the hill you want to die on?

[Anonymous]

How can it be racist when we don’t even know the person’s race?

This is a special situation given the job entails caring for elderly people, some of whom have dementia. A consistent appearance is key, and it likely should be part of the job requirements (eg: uniform).