Should you have to ask your employers before you color your hair something non-traditional?

[Anonymous]

This question was asked in a local nanny group I'm in, and people were pretty split. I'd say 60% said no, the rest felt like the families have rights to hire a nanny whose physical appearance best represents their family.

Do you think that employers should have input on a nannies physical appearance? Where is the line drawn for you? Many would say that clothing should be fairly modest and without any potentially offensive graphics or slogans on them. While I've also heard of employers who wanted their nanny to wear specific clothes and always have their hair up in a tight bun, no polish on nails and no hooped earrings.

Opinions? I've mostly only heard from other nannies, curious what MBs and DBs think? I have my own pretty set opinions.

[Anonymous]

No. I know that many industries and companies have policies like this but it is wrong for any MB/DB to dictate what a nanny can and cannot do with their physical appearance as long as the nanny is clean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. I know that many industries and companies have policies like this but it is wrong for any MB/DB to dictate what a nanny can and cannot do with their physical appearance as long as the nanny is clean.

Actually, yes, they do have a right to expect you to appear and act professional. You want to be treated as a professional act like one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. I know that many industries and companies have policies like this but it is wrong for any MB/DB to dictate what a nanny can and cannot do with their physical appearance as long as the nanny is clean.

Actually, yes, they do have a right to expect you to appear and act professional. You want to be treated as a professional act like one.

What is "appear and act professional"? Should she wear a suit and pumps to work? Who cares what color her hair is while the nanny is on the floor playing or changing a diaper?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. I know that many industries and companies have policies like this but it is wrong for any MB/DB to dictate what a nanny can and cannot do with their physical appearance as long as the nanny is clean.

Actually, yes, they do have a right to expect you to appear and act professional. You want to be treated as a professional act like one.

That was the answer of many conservative nannies. If you want us to be seen as professional, look professional. Which in a tangent conversation, what is professional? Different places have different versions of professional.

My old MB made 200K (lead software engineer) and went to work in graphic tee's and cargo pants with her nose piercing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. I know that many industries and companies have policies like this but it is wrong for any MB/DB to dictate what a nanny can and cannot do with their physical appearance as long as the nanny is clean.

Actually, yes, they do have a right to expect you to appear and act professional. You want to be treated as a professional act like one.

That was the answer of many conservative nannies. If you want us to be seen as professional, look professional. Which in a tangent conversation, what is professional? Different places have different versions of professional.

My old MB made 200K (lead software engineer) and went to work in graphic tee's and cargo pants with her nose piercing.

I think this is part of finding a family who is a match for you. I suspect you know if you work for someone who would care about a crazy hair color.

[Anonymous]

In our house I loved when our nanny showed up w/ blue or green or purple hair occasionally. I got a big kick out of it.

My more conservative husband hated it and made a lot of noise about it to me privately.

I'd happily hire someone w/ visible tattoos or piercings also, but my husband wouldn't.

So I think it depends on the people involved OP.

[Anonymous]

My older kid can read, so I'd prefer our nanny not wear t-shirts with slogans endorsing violence or drugs, etc.

Colored hair? Fine. I wouldn't let my kid do it, but the nanny doesn't live with their mother and can't control what they do. While I can control my children, I won't allow it. I know I'll lose that control eventually.

Piercings? I had two babies who grabbed shiny things. Proceed at your own risk, you know?

[Anonymous]

Longtime nanny here. I've dyed my hair pink and blue and back to brunette a few times over the years. The first two times I didn't tell my nanny families; the first family was totally fine with it, the second family was like above (MB was fine with it, conservative DB wasn't, but I dyed it back to brown after a few weeks and he got over it). The third time I spoke with my NF before doing it, and they were fine with it. Bottom line: I honestly wouldn't recommend doing it without discussing with your nanny family first. They might be fine with it, but if they're not, you could literally lose your job over it (the aforementioned conservative DB made some remarks about how "a woman with bright blue hair is not a good role model for my children").

[Anonymous]

Does your hair color affect how you do your job? If you need to wear conservative clothes to work (think lawyer, office job.. that sort of thing) then non-traditional hair colors wouldn't work. But for a nanny I don't see why it matters. My concern would be clean and well groomed hair.

[Anonymous]

No, you have the right to do whatever you want with your own hair so long as it's clean and groomed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This question was asked in a local nanny group I'm in, and people were pretty split. I'd say 60% said no, the rest felt like the families have rights to hire a nanny whose physical appearance best represents their family.

Do you think that employers should have input on a nannies physical appearance? Where is the line drawn for you? Many would say that clothing should be fairly modest and without any potentially offensive graphics or slogans on them. While I've also heard of employers who wanted their nanny to wear specific clothes and always have their hair up in a tight bun, no polish on nails and no hooped earrings.

Opinions? I've mostly only heard from other nannies, curious what MBs and DBs think? I have my own pretty set opinions.

Am a nanny for about 27 years,am dress myself simple and comfortable clothing,nothing fancy.
When we taking care of babies /kids you have to be lke them...

[Anonymous]

You are right that the definition of "professional dress" varies widely by industry and by employer. Your NF can reasonably feel that your appearance when out with their children represents their values to their kids and represents them as a family to the outside world. What those values are and how they prefer to present themselves to the world will vary widely. You don't have to ask permission, but it's naive and unprofessional to imply that a "nice" employer wouldn't care. There are very valid reasons why a family would prefer a conservatively-dressed nanny, and that line can be a firing offense for some people.

[Anonymous]

I only think one should check with the MB, DB if the new look is a significant change from how one looked when hired.

Personally, I don't think I would have hired someone who had multiple facial piercing for example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. I know that many industries and companies have policies like this but it is wrong for any MB/DB to dictate what a nanny can and cannot do with their physical appearance as long as the nanny is clean.

Actually, yes, they do have a right to expect you to appear and act professional. You want to be treated as a professional act like one.

What is "appear and act professional"? Should she wear a suit and pumps to work? Who cares what color her hair is while the nanny is on the floor playing or changing a diaper?

You should wear appropriate and nice clothes for the job. So for nannying that would not be a suit and heels as you should be on the floor playing, but it also means no slutty clothes since they are not professional. And you should also be barred from coloring your hair since it is also not professional.