Express Yourself

Hi Alyse,

I work in a Hair Salon and it gets REALLY hot especially in the summertime. I'm on my feet all day and I sweat a lot when I get hot. My boss sold the salon to his sister and she came in today, pulled me aside and told me that I'd have to wear a jacket to cover up my tattoos! The reason I became a Hair Stylist is so that I could express myself and help other people express themselves, I got these tattoos before I started working. There's no way I can work in a jacket, how do I tell her no and still keep my job?

Suppressed in Los Angeles, CA


Hey Suppressed,

While you are certainly free to express yourself, you are not free to express yourself in anyway at someone else's business. Since you are not writing the paycheck, you are subject the to rules (that may change) of the business that is writing the check. You have many options but here are two - either get a jacket that you can work in or find a way to be the one writing the checks. Only by writing your own check will you be entitled to express yourself.


A. Fox
Anyone can revolt. It is more difficult silently to obey your own inner promptings, and to
spend our lives finding sincere and fitting means of expression for our temperament and
our gifts. (Georges Rouault)

Ask A. Fox is sponsored by Workkrow.com
Your Job References, They're Checking, Why Aren't You?