So I just started at this ICU floor. Been here for around 6months. My hair hasn't changed the whole time I've been here. I regularly go to the barbershop, shower, take care of myself...always look presentable. Manager has been dropping hints to get a haircut the past couple weeks. I thought she was just joking. Then she pulls me into her office yesterday and tells me how disappointed she is in me for not taking her requests seriously. What do I do? Shave my head? I don't want to lose my job. Is this something I can get fired for?
The average person sheds from 50 to 100 hairs each day. There was a funny line from Sinefeld about you can touch, pat, admire, kiss, someone's head of hair. But find that same person's hair on the counter or table and suddenly it's disgustingly gross!
I'm certain all your co workers are shedding as much hair as you, yours is just more distinct or noticeable.
The average person sheds from 50 to 100 hairs each day. There was a funny line from Sinefeld about you can touch, pat, admire, kiss, someone's head of hair. But find that same person's hair on the counter or table and suddenly it's disgustingly gross!
I'm certain all your co workers are shedding as much hair as you, yours is just more distinct or noticeable.
I swear I have to shed like triple that. Every time I go to get my haircut my poor hairstylist has to comfort me and convince me that I'm not going bald. Poor guy. He must have done something terrible in a past life to have to put up with me
Some of the docs I work with wear dreads, and no one gives them flak about it. They restrain their hair appropriately, and keep it clean and groomed, but still, they wear locs. I think it's a perception thing, and wonder if the same request would be made of someone like me, a white woman with curly hair? Doubtful, I've never had anyone say anything about my hair that was negative, even though it is wild. I keep it pulled back of course, but still, I keep it natural. Yet no one has ever asked me to cut it.
Some of the docs I work with wear dreads, and no one gives them flak about it. They restrain their hair appropriately, and keep it clean and groomed, but still, they wear locs. I think it's a perception thing, and wonder if the same request would be made of someone like me, a white woman with curly hair? Doubtful, I've never had anyone say anything about my hair that was negative, even though it is wild. I keep it pulled back of course, but still, I keep it natural. Yet no one has ever asked me to cut it.
Interesting perspective. Definitely an angle worth chewing on.
Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.
I did it! Kept some on top but I really like how the fade turned out. Hope they don't think it too fancy. Also got rid of my facial hair. I hope people like it. I sure do!
It looks sweet! (Gonna be a lot of upkeep, but it looks awesome!)
Just be aware that since you kept the locks on the top, you may continue to have an issue with the manager. I have a feeling it wasn't the length of your hair that was her problem, but rather the "ethnic look" of it. Since the length is gone but the look remains, she may still be a judgmental witch about it.
If that turns out to be the case (which I sincerely hope it doesn't, for your sake, but my Crusty Old Bat self knows what people are like in this world, unfortunately), I stand by my earlier advice to ask her specifically what she views as out of compliance with the policy, then walk your BA self over to HR and ask for their opinion.
Alternately, my advice to wear a scrub cap still holds. The downside to that is that people may think you're a surgeon (ewwwwww!) rather than a nurse.
Call me crusty or whatever, but if the rumor is true that random dreads have been found lying around, is it unreasonable to ask the OP to restrain his (quite attractive) hair? He did not deny that dreads breaking off was a possibility.
BTW, I loved the picture of the new hair cut but wonder if it will help with the problem.
Don't cut it. It sounds like she just has a personal issue with your hair and it's not a legal requirement for keeping your job since she started off by dropping hints and not saying "hey we have this policy..."
I am a white-ish girl (Hispanic + Scottish/Norwegian, actually), and I have had dreads. My insane amount of red hair likes to turn into dreads if I don't comb it properly. As a matter of fact, I was hired into my ER as a tech when I had dreads. LOL, I had forgotten that! Anyway, a lot of people have misconceptions about dreads (see earlier post about dirt/grease). I kept it up and out of the way, and no one said anything. But mine were looooong. If breaking/shedding is a problem, then the surgical cap might be the best option.
I miss my dreads, but dang, they were tough to maintain. My hair grows really, really quickly.
I didn't read all of the comments, so someone else may had said this, but if there are others on your unit with the same style, then how would anyone know if it was actually YOUR hair that was found?
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
This is nice. I think the problem isn't about your hair, they are just picking at you, due to the fact they can't find anything wrong with your work. Stay strong and don't make anymore changes.
Or, it could actually be because a chunk of his hair fell out, and nothing more.
) rather than a nurse.
brownbook
3,413 Posts
The average person sheds from 50 to 100 hairs each day. There was a funny line from Sinefeld about you can touch, pat, admire, kiss, someone's head of hair. But find that same person's hair on the counter or table and suddenly it's disgustingly gross!
I'm certain all your co workers are shedding as much hair as you, yours is just more distinct or noticeable.