MUCH HAS CHANGED THIS SUMMER
- - This dated and culturally insensitive dress code sends a disturbing message to female and minority employees
- - Management email speaks of projecting a "consistent and professional image" and then goes on to describe Western attire associatd with the white middle and upper classes. Anything else is by deduction, nonprofessional.
- - American cultural problem of "[rhyms with Lut] Shaming" is reinforced through written policy implying that "bare skin" is unprofessional, requiring employees to be sent home if they are not attired to these mono-cultural standards.
- -Those wearing skirts or dresses are required to wear nylons or "panty hose" which cost several dollars per pair and are very delecate.
- - Finding hose colored for dark skin is difficult to match and expensive.
- - Even slacks with sandals are deemed unprofessional if stockings aren't worn with them.
- - Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh employees are disproportionally impacted by the dress code, which requires them to seek a religious exemption if they wish to wear a hat, head scarf,or dress in non Western attire.
- - Sikh men must ask permission to grow a beard longer than a 1/4 inch.
I have worked here since I graduated from CWR univerisity in 2008. I never felt awkward or uncomfortable about my race or religion until this summer. Now I feel that I stand out as an odd one. I have to justify my dress, and I'm stared at by other Summa employees and patients and their families. My coworkers are wonderful people but it is still uncomfortable to be in the public spaces. I wonder if I should wear a style of Hijab that is more obviously religious than my of head scarf, but the style I wear is significant to me.
I feel sad and frustrated. I spoke to a person in HR who was sympathetic but what could she do? I will most likely move to a more accepting hospital system, rather than feeling like I have to justify my attire and defend my religion.
My religion prevents me from getting a tattoo, but I do not think that a hospital system should refuse to hire a person who has a sleave tattoo or other large ink where covering it would be difficult or risk contamination from bandages. Employees should be judged on their ability to connect with and treat our patients, and support each other not on how we look. My patients remember me because I connect with them. My religion and my birth country are less to them than my attention and foucs.
