LONDON, July 2 (UPI) — A sales assistant at Harrods in London said her choice not to wear makeup has cost her her job at the tony department store.
Melanie Stark said after years of working at the store without makeup she was suddenly confronted with the store’s dress code that calls for, “Full makeup at all time: Base, blusher, full eyes (not too heavy) lipstick, lip liner and gloss,” which are to be “worn at all times and maintained discretely,” The Guardian reported Saturday.
Despite her good work record, Stark said she was sent home on two occasions and ordered to work in the stock room on another occasion.
“Exhausted, stressed and upset,” she said she finally quit her job.
“I was appalled. It was insulting,” she said, adding, “It’s not like wearing black trousers, or a black shirt. This is my face.”
A store spokeswoman said company records show there had been discussions with Stark concerning her “general lack of adherence to the dress code.”
“However, no action was taken and she subsequently decided to leave the business of her own accord with no reference made to dress code,” the spokeswoman said.
“On the facts,” said Lawrence Davies, director of Equal Justice solicitors, “she performed her role well for five years without makeup, so it is clearly not a valid prerequisite for her role.”
Davies suggested Stark take the retailer to court.
In a letter to the store, Stark said, “To be told that one’s face is inadequate is extremely degrading.”
Similar Posts:
- HSBC Reported Near $1B General Insurance Sale
- H-E-B plans new store near Helotes
- Black Friday starting Thanksgiving night
- Phoenix VA Health Care System will step up referral oversight
- The pros and cons of a franchise
