[Vision2020] Body jewelry

[Debbie Gray]

Having participated in a few 'hiring committees' over the past few 
years, I've seen how incredibly hard it can be to narrow down a pool 
of 50 qualified people and finally select the one that best fits. 
Perhaps when hiring, some people may use personal appearance as 
something to narrow the pool. I am not saying it's right or wrong, 
just maybe that is something consciously or subconsciously at work.

For eg. a business owner needs to hire someone to work with the 
public (and the public ranging from 89 year old church grandma's to 
14 year old skateboarders) and 20 qualified people apply. Weighing 
ALL the clients ideas the owner might go with the least potentially 
unsettling employee and weed out the 4 people with unusual body 
piercings, 2 people with mohawks, 2 people with unwieldy facial hair 
and 2 people with offensive perfume/cologine/body odors. This still 
leaves 10 qualified people that the owner still has to interview,
etc. 

Personal appearance does count, many places have strict dress codes 
and that's just the way it is. I know several people that work in a 
variety of settings that can't wear any personal jewelry, have to 
wear black pants or have their hair cut a certain length, must wear 
skirts, no high heels or sneakers or whatever...  Personally, I don't 
see that as discrimination. It's rigid and controlling but 
discriminatory? I don't think so.

Does this make sense or am I blathering.... too early in the morning.

Debbie...