Angels4 Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 As many of you know this past weekend I had to go to Minneapolis for work. I am an Artistic Director for a very LARGE corporation which has holdings or is a consolidator of many various hair salons. We also have headquarters in the UK We were asked to attend our Franchisee Convention. During the convention we were to attend a lecture from the CEO of the company to share with the owners (non employees) and the Artistic Directors (employees) as well as various vendors and corporate employees the state of the company. At one point it become clear (crystal) the political agenda of our CEO in which he showed a VERY unflattering view of Obama and made it very clear where his political support would rest. He even had a picture of his Yorkie sitting on the lap of our current president "Thank you for your continued support of our party and country." Here enlies the problem. As hairdressers there are 3 basic topics of conversation to be avoided, Sex, Politics, and Religon. As an employee of the coporation I could lose my job if I engage in conversations of this nature (hostile environment). I felt as though I was a hostage having to sit through his presentation and if I hadn't been sitting clear in the middle of the aisle would have left the lecture hall and very possibly been reprimanded for being rude. Am I being too sensitive? Should I just get over it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 How many at the convention roughly? I'm curious to know how many people he was talking at. They don't all feel the same way - more likely agree with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angels4 Posted October 6, 2008 Author Share Posted October 6, 2008 (edited) There were at least 1500 people in attendance. Most of whom were non employees (there are approximatly 96 Artistic Directors). Edited October 6, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 I can't really understand why this person chose to voice his political affiliations in the middle of a presentation about hairdressing Totally inappropriate in my opinion. I would have walked out and dealt with the consequences. You are right to feel upset, I would have been furious Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 That's pretty scary. Ever thought of coming over here? On second thoughts.........we have Gordon Brown! For what it's worth, I don't think you're being overly sensitive at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Plus, the speaker had a captive audience. He sounds like the kind of opinionated creep that no-one listens to anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angels4 Posted October 6, 2008 Author Share Posted October 6, 2008 Not to mention is a business setting he dropped the f - bomb quite a few times. Needless to say I was SHOCKED I brought it up to my mentor and she explained that many people have various ways of expressing themselves I want to have a conversation with the head of my department to let her know that in the future if he is going to speak to our group I won't be in attendance. I am however concerned in regards to keeping my job. I'm wondering from an HR standpoint if I can be released from employment if I refuse to attend? My first thought, and this may come across as biased is that he is racist. Male of a certian age and religion who lean towards racisim and homophobia (genralization I know, but it has been my experience). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Make sure you've got a migraine next time ............. they can't sack you for being unwell can they? I'm with you. There is nothing better than to listen to a great, innovative and motivational speaker at these events. You leave feeling upbeat and uplifted. Sadly it seems this guy has another agenda - a political one. I can't comment on the homophobic or racist feeling about his speech as I didn't hear it but I wouldn't be surprised in the least. What do your colleagues think? Have you been able to talk to them about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Sounds appalling to me I agree with Clootie that he took advantage of a captive audience. Tread carefully with any complaints / action you take. Not saying it should go without comment, but is this chap worth risking your job over? By the way, what exactly does being an Artistic Director involve? It sounds very grand and important! Sorry if it is a daft question Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Oh dear. The three subjects you mention are best not discussed at all in the workplace. Totally inappropriate, and in this case, an abuse of power. Your voting habits are no-one's business but your own, and for an employer to try to impose his/her opinions on the workforce is abhorrent. Not worth losing your job over though....you can use your vote as you see fit as an act of revenge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angels4 Posted October 6, 2008 Author Share Posted October 6, 2008 I have spoken to some of my colleagues and they are feeling very similar to me. The night after the "lecture" We had a great party where the franchisees attended and some who I work with on a daily basis shared their thoughts with me and most were not happy about his speech as well. I however am under strict guidlines to not participate in conversations that could affect my professional standing in the view of the salon owners so my opinion was kept to myself. Looney as an Artistic Director I am responsible to teach stylist that join our company our technique to cut hair in an manner to minimize the risk of making some of the most common mistakes while cutting hair. I also teach color and conduct business seminars on various topics. Professionalism, trends, communication, product knowledge, brow waxing, etc, and I LOVE my profession. My participants in my classes are my clients and as such get my all (just as if I was working behind the chair with the consumer) With over 22 years experience (with the company and technique) it is my way of passing on my discoveries with stylist new to the business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Looney as an Artistic Director I am responsible to teach stylist that join our company our technique to cut hair in an manner to minimize the risk of making some of the most common mistakes while cutting hair. I also teach color and conduct business seminars on various topics. Professionalism, trends, communication, product knowledge, brow waxing, etc, and I LOVE my profession. My participants in my classes are my clients and as such get my all (just as if I was working behind the chair with the consumer) With over 22 years experience (with the company and technique) it is my way of passing on my discoveries with stylist new to the business. Thanks for the explanation! It sounds really interesting and you certainly sound like you love it. Quite a rare thing to be in a profession / job that you adore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angels4 Posted October 6, 2008 Author Share Posted October 6, 2008 Not many professions out there where one is able to engage in such a varied range of people and personalities. Not at all like work. I get to play every day. I try to teach my people to be a "Day maker not a day breaker." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Any famous heads done or are you sworn to secrecy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angels4 Posted October 6, 2008 Author Share Posted October 6, 2008 Any famous heads done or are you sworn to secrecy? When I lived in LA I use to cut Josh Druhmel (before he was famous) I did a blowout on Kathy Najimy (SISTER ACT), John Goodman (Rosanne) and various character actors in both television and the "big" screen. That was all while I was working behind the chair. Now living in Boston, not as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Interesting.............. thanks for that !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 He certainly sounds inappropriate but like others I think you would have to be so careful. Your job sounds great though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Sorry Angels4 I have to ask what is a blowout not a term in relation to hairdressing I have come across Kitty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angels4 Posted October 6, 2008 Author Share Posted October 6, 2008 Sorry Angels4 I have to ask what is a blowout not a term in relation to hairdressing I have come across Kitty Shampoo and blow dry style. I forgot hairdressing terms are not the same in the UK. Fringe = Bang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Guess there are lots of times when those who represent us. Like your CEO who speak out as if for all when in fact its very few. For me its often the unions. Im a nurse so have to belong for insurance reasons. But also political parties when you vote for them because you support a number of their ideals but then they go and do something outrageous. You'll get your say when you vote in November. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 I thought that spiral curls/ringlets were known in the USA as bangs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 I thought that spiral curls/ringlets were known in the USA as bangs Nope a fringe is a bang in the US. They also say braids and not plaits. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 It is inappropriate to discuss his opinions there , but voicing opinions is not so unusual in a speach or lecture, at least in the warm-up to it. I would shrug it off and ignore it, or if you feel you really can't, send a note to HR about it so your feelings are on record. Then leave it well alone. You can't not turn up to meetings etc becasue someone might voice an irrelevant opinion, I would imagine legally you'd be in a questionable position, but career-wise it seems like a really bad plan. If he had said something really offensive, then that might be different, but if it's a strongly voiced political opinion which you happen not to agree with, then I think you just need to ignore it and move on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I'd ignore it then enjoy the discussion in the bar afterwards about what an idiot he is. I'll bet there were loads of "minorities" in that room who totally disagreed with him. In fact add up all the "minority" people and you'll probably find they outnumber the WASPS (is my american terminology correct?), then think about the fact he is NOT preaching to the converted. If anyone in that room could be swayed by him they deserve to be made to sit through many political presentations. The clear majority will already have their own opinion on the candidates and nothing he says is likely to change that. The minority who have no opinion are often the rather uneducated who will change their minds with each subsequent speaker - the only tme it maters to preach to them is JUST BEFORE they vote - if they even bother. Keep thinking about that 1500 people, how many WON'T vote. When you are working you keep a lid on your opinions - he is abusing his power by forcing his upon you - his candidate probably wholeheartedly agrees with this approach! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angels4 Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 I'd ignore it then enjoy the discussion in the bar afterwards about what an idiot he is. I'll bet there were loads of "minorities" in that room who totally disagreed with him. In fact add up all the "minority" people and you'll probably find they outnumber the WASPS (is my american terminology correct?), then think about the fact he is NOT preaching to the converted. If anyone in that room could be swayed by him they deserve to be made to sit through many political presentations. The clear majority will already have their own opinion on the candidates and nothing he says is likely to change that. The minority who have no opinion are often the rather uneducated who will change their minds with each subsequent speaker - the only tme it maters to preach to them is JUST BEFORE they vote - if they even bother. Keep thinking about that 1500 people, how many WON'T vote. When you are working you keep a lid on your opinions - he is abusing his power by forcing his upon you - his candidate probably wholeheartedly agrees with this approach! And there you have it in a nut shell. Absolutly have to ignore it and while working keep my opinions to myself, but commiserate And yes your american terminology is "spot on". How was my English terminology? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
