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Gothicsmurf
06-28-2008, 02:51 AM
I'm so lost with what I should to tomorrow.

Currently my hair is neon red. During work I wear a brown wig. The HR manager knows this and is totally cool with it. In fact I talked to her and asked her if not wearing my wig during work hours would be against policy. She checked and said it wasn't however, they would prefer if I didn't reveal my natural hair.

Which I am ok with. I'd rather wear the wig and keep my hair neon whatever color and keep my job. It's actually much easier to deal with and I never have a bad hair day.

We have our annual company picnic tomorrow. We are not required to go, and it's not considered company time under any circumstances.

I do like the heat, but wearing the wig in heat is NOT fun, especially when there is no place to go to cool off. And it does get itchy after a while. Tomorrow is supposed to be 86f/30c with very high humidity.

Before I left for work, I went in and talked with HR and asked her what her thoughts were. I explained that I'm cool with wearing the wig at work but was thinking about not wearing it tomorrow. She said that it wouldn't make a difference as it's no different than running into someone at the store- and that the picnic was for everyone to get to know each other. But she did mention that the higher ups are very conservative.

I told her the only thing that is holding me back is that I would hate for my hair color outside of the office to prevent me from moving up with in the company, and that since I was new, I didn't want to ruin my chances right away.

She said that they can't say anything about what I do off company time and as long as I wore the wig in the office and while on Company time, she would assure me that it would not affect any postions I may seek with in the company.

Now this wig isn't a cheap wig that looks like a hair piece. In fact no one knows until I tell them. A handful of people at the office know (my wig wasn't on right one day and the bright color was showing).

I've gotten mixed reviews from the co-workers that know about the wig. Some say to go with out, some say go with it.

So I figured I'd pose the question here. What's everyone's thoughts? I'll check here before I leave in the AM to see.

Thanks!

PS- I know the "logical" solution is to change my hair to an accepted and normal color, or to NOT go but I am not opening those options to discussion.

It's either A: Go with out the wig. or B: Go with the wig.

SubwayGirl
06-28-2008, 02:57 AM
If this job is really important to you, you like it and you want to move up, I would go with B wear the wig. It only takes one judgmental conservative higher up to ruin it for you.

Evil Queen
06-28-2008, 03:03 AM
I'd not wear the wig and if anyone asks, just tell them your natural neon red is the wig part and you just wanted to liven up with the season.

I have a very very very purple wig that I may just wear to work in the next few weeks. See if I can surprise anyone. :D

It's me
06-28-2008, 04:02 AM
Maybe a hat of some sort? Not so much for completely hiding your hair, but to tone the down the impact......

Aethian
06-28-2008, 04:15 AM
I would go without and wear a nice hat since it will be hot and most likely sunny you can keep the rays off your face.

Soulstealer
06-28-2008, 04:48 AM
If you want to go to the picnic and have a chance of moving up you're going to have to wear the wig. People are judgemental, whether it should or shouldn't affect your chances like the HR woman said doesn't matter. It will.

iradney
06-28-2008, 11:30 AM
I hate to say this, but you might need to wear the wig. Some upper management people are so shortsighted that they won't judge you on your performance, but your appearance.
My first corporate job didn't mind my nose piercing or bright blue streak of hair (*sigh* *misses*) because I worked my ass off. Unfortunately, *Company* that I'm with now won't look at it too well - even though that shade of blue is the same colour as the company logo.

crazylegs
06-28-2008, 11:48 AM
I'd go with wig/hat as well, if you're that motivated to move up in the company then letting the conservative managers see you 'professionally' probably isn't a bad thing.

There are some nice wide brimmed hats out there that you could probably get most of your hair into... :shrug:

JustADude
06-28-2008, 11:50 AM
I'd say ditch the wig. Just remember, I've never been one to conform for the sake of getting ahead, so take my advice for what it's worth. ;)

Gothicsmurf
06-28-2008, 01:37 PM
Thanks everyone.

I still got a mixture of advice here, but I do like the Hat idea. The only hat I own is a Fedora, so I might wear that or I might bring a scarf and use that.

I'm still undecided as of now. I think I'll wear a hair covering item and bring the wig and make my final decision when I get there.

I just cut 17 inches of my hair a couple of weeks ago, so it's really short.

I've added some pictures here so you can see the difference.

Ignore how dead I look, I literally woke up, read this, tried the options and then took pictures. I know in these pictures I look like a boy, it makes me miss my long hair.

Normal, shown just for color. As I said, I just woke up and didn't even brush my hair:
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5101/deletewhendone005fx4.jpg

Fedora:
http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/8969/deletewhendone003cq4.jpg

Scarf:
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/923/deletewhendone006bm8.jpg

Wig: (Quickly thrown on so y'all can see what it looks like.)
http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/2231/deletewhendone007hu7.jpg

crazylegs
06-28-2008, 01:42 PM
The fedora looks ace go with that! :)

iradney
06-28-2008, 01:58 PM
Ya know, the neon red suits you better than brown.
Wonder if I can risk dying all my hair blue and getting a wig?? *ponder*
Look what you've done!
And the fedora looks awesome!

ETA
And if they ask about the red bits, you can always say you spray painted your hair for a party or something....I dunno.

marasbaras
06-28-2008, 02:05 PM
Wear the wig. The scarf shows too much of the neon read.

Also, smile. :)

Evil Queen
06-28-2008, 07:21 PM
No way, Fadora all the way! It makes you look cool!

Gothicsmurf
06-28-2008, 10:07 PM
I'd say ditch the wig. Just remember, I've never been one to conform for the sake of getting ahead, so take my advice for what it's worth.

Me either, hence the wig.


Also, smile. :)

I just woke up in those pictures!

I ended up going with the Fedora, at first people didn't even notice. Then I lunched with the COO of the company. About half way into the meal he said, "Hey, you have pink hair!"

At that point I said, "Yes. I do. Coloring my hair calms me down and is something I enjoy doing. But in order to maintain a professional apperance at work, I chose to keep it covered with a more conventional color. And I wore the hat to try and not draw attention to it. I thought about wearing my piece today, but since it's so hot, I wouldn't be able to with out passing out. I hope I didn't offend you."

He swallowed his burger and said, "It looks fine. I don't blame you for not wanting to wear your wig, but I appreciate and understand the gesture."

The CEO didn't treat me any differently, but I could tell he was a little perplexed. Not bad confusion, but he didn't recognize me right away. So on Monday I'll have to make sure he sees me with my "normal" hair on.

Over all, I'm glad I didn't wear the wig because of the heat and humditiy, it would not have been smart health wise... which says a lot coming from someone who loves the heat.

About mid day, I ended up having to take the Fedora off as I was dripping in sweat. Someone mentioned there was little bit of buzz about my hair- most of it was positive and a few were, "Why not just keep your hair a normal color?" I'm sure at the end of the week, it'll be gone.

(A little sunburn after the long day)
http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/214/workpicnic2008044sm4.jpg

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/1121/workpicnic2008050gk6.jpg

Evil Queen
06-28-2008, 10:59 PM
Totally loving the red hair. <3

Aethian
06-28-2008, 11:54 PM
Fedora looks lovely and the red is so you.

JustADude
06-29-2008, 10:56 AM
Fedora looks lovely and the red is so you.

Gotta agree. You look awesome with that hair and the fedora.

Oh, that's a great dye-job, btw. It looks 'natural' enough (and I've watched enough Anime) that it took me a second for my brain to go "Oh, wait, hair's not supposed to be that color, is it?" :D