Should DOD employees be able to have any hair color?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 May 2015 23:54:07 -0400

I was working with the TCAIMS II system and the lead person was a DOD employee and had her hair very similar to the styles below.
I personally thought that it was unprofessional to have a multi-color hairstyle when she works at a very high level within the installation.
Do they not have grooming standards?
Just curious what others think.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 11:58 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 May 2015 23:58:19 -0400

Once they are hired they can do anything the boss will tolerate. I have seen one take out all her piercings hide tattoos until after she was hired then put them all back. Her boss said just tame down the piercings a bit and when we have DV's visit dress conservative and hide same of your ink.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 12:00 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 00:00:41 -0400

I love that hair.. hahaha

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 12:35 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 00:35:35 -0400

Employees are expected to comply with reasonable dress and grooming standards based on comfort, productivity, health, safety, and type of position occupied. When clothing such as coats and ties create discomfort during hot weather and in places where cooling is minimized to conserve energy, the requirements should be modified or eliminated.

Any management requirement for specific civilian dress and appearance must be based on a clear showing that the prohibited dress contributes to an unsafe, unhealthy, nonproductive, or disruptive work environment. Management disagreements with styles, modes of dress, and grooming now in fashion is not an adequate criterion for making such a determination.

Employees who wear standard uniforms (guards, firefighters, etc.) may be expected to comply with grooming and appearance standards that are more stringent than those required of other employees. These standards must be in line with job requirements and with like standards for employees in similar occupations employed by other Federal, state, or municipal governments.

Any attempt to dictate appropriate work attire will probaly end up in a lawsuit (especially of the EEO type if a male specifies what is appropriate for a female and vice versa). Most federal workplaces have no official guidance on appropriate dress, only suggestions such as "business attire," or "business casual."

Much also depends where you work and the kind of work you do. Someone who works in printing, graphics, labor - may wear jeans and blue collar type of work clothes. What is unfortunate that many younger employees seem to have no concept of "business casual" (acceptable in nearly every office setting).

And anything dealing with 'enforcing some dress code' has to go thru the labor relations board anyways. Be careful what you say about an federal employee, you might be getting a phone call from EEOC.

Response by SGT Michael Touchet made May 6 at 2015 12:36 AM

SGT Michael Touchet — Wed, 06 May 2015 00:36:16 -0400

Wow, are you kidding? That is ridiculous.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 12:55 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 00:55:07 -0400

Civilian is civilian. They're not in the military and do not represent the military. We don't need to take our hoah standards and image of professionalism and push it on those not serving.

Response by TSgt David Holman made May 6 at 2015 2:49 AM

TSgt David Holman — Wed, 06 May 2015 02:49:11 -0400

I think it depends on the level. If they are that high up, then yes, they should probably have a more professional appearance. If they work at say, the bowling alley, well, I wouldn't put it past them to allow it. It all boils down to position.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 6 at 2015 4:49 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 06 May 2015 04:49:18 -0400

Neat New Camo Pattern (For a Paint Factory). I won't say a thing since it would come across as Jealousy and Hypocrisy. They shaved my head for Boot Camp and it never did really come back.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 6 at 2015 6:18 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 06 May 2015 06:18:21 -0400

We have civilian dress codes that go largely ignored so why should DoD be any different? Besides we live in the entitlement generation you can't argue with people who are entitled to do whatever they want - then you're the one who's wrong.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 6 at 2015 6:28 AM

SFC Stephen King — Wed, 06 May 2015 06:28:57 -0400

Yes, freedom of expression live and in "color (s)"

Response by SPC Christian Ziegler made May 6 at 2015 6:57 AM

SPC Christian Ziegler — Wed, 06 May 2015 06:57:19 -0400

As long as there not in the military and there boss say's its ok. Now as for me, If I need to hire someone to do work around my house or work on my car or anything like that I wont hire them if they look like a rainbow shit on there head or they got into a fight with a stapler and lost. Scouts Out

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 7:05 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 07:05:56 -0400

I am of the mindset that DOD Civilians should have to comply with the standards of the military, to include weight, appearance and grooming standards.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 8:24 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 08:24:58 -0400

What is the dress code for DoD civilians? Did the hair color fall within the set guidelines?

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made May 6 at 2015 10:06 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 06 May 2015 10:06:55 -0400

Unless her PD has a grooming/dress an appearance standard tied to it, I see no issue.

Response by CPL Brendan Hayes made May 6 at 2015 10:15 AM

CPL Brendan Hayes — Wed, 06 May 2015 10:15:55 -0400

This leads to a good question outside of the military, how much does appearance affect professionalism? Just because a person has multi-colored hair, piercings, or tattoos, does that make that person less of a professional? Given the example in the original post, was the person in question effective at her job? Was her clothing suitable for the work environment? Did her attitude reflect professional courtesy?

Did she ACT professional?

If she acts professional and offers proper workplace courtesy, and is effective at her job, what do her hair color/piercings/tattoos have to do with anything?

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 10:45 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 10:45:54 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member The argument you make is similar to the argument made against tattoos. Service members can dye their hair and have tattoos. The limits are in AR 670-1, but I could have a different natural hair color every week.
DoD Civilians are not in the military, they don't represent the military, they do have grooming standards, but they are not the same as ours.
I do not think dyed hair or tattoos are unprofessional. As long as you can wear your proper work attire, for whatever your job is you are fine by me.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made May 6 at 2015 11:07 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 06 May 2015 11:07:25 -0400

Did her hair color affect her ability to perform the required task to standard?
Or did her hair color affect YOUR ability to perform to standard?

Sounds like none of the first and a little of the second.
Unless the employment offer included a set grooming standard and she is in violation of set standard, hair color, or style has no effect or basis for job performance.

Get over it. Worry about things that affect PERFORMANCE and mission completion.

Response by SSG John Erny made May 6 at 2015 11:12 AM

SSG John Erny — Wed, 06 May 2015 11:12:12 -0400

My old drill SGT always said that no matter how bad you think we treat you the DOD civilians are worse.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 9 at 2015 11:47 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sat, 09 May 2015 11:47:55 -0400

Camo requirement?

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 10:07 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 22:07:43 -0400

I have to disagree that's like telling a civilian wife or daughter who has a DoD job they can't express themselves they aren't in the military or your Soldier to boss around! My wife has piercings, tattoos, and colors her hair; she is prior service and would tell you to go get bent she don't work for you!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2015 9:25 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 09:25:36 -0500

I say no, it looks unprofessional and they represent the government.

Response by Jen Trou made Feb 13 at 2020 8:09 PM

Jen Trou — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 20:09:09 -0500

I'd hate to work with someone like you.