[USA-Mo] Made to shave with “community razor” before inspection - what should we do?
US- Hi all. Question about the best way to approach this situation. My son (19) works a summer job at an ice cream shop in the Midwest USA. While not a huge company, they are cooperate with 20+ locations. Being the type of business they are, the majority of their employees are high school and college kids. My son is one of the oldest at his location. Ok enough background- here’s the situation.
Yesterday the staff was preparing for a company audit/ walkthrough. All the usual stuff- temperature control, cleaning standards, etc. My son was told that his facial hair was out of dress code. Apparently the standard is for them to be clean shaven. He had a small amount of regrowth. He had shaved the evening before, so we are talking about the amount of a “5’o clock shadow” on a 19 year old kid. My son is overall very clean cut, not unsanitary in any way- hair, facial hair, nails, etc. Because they were expecting this audit within a the hour, the manager made my son shave. With a straight razor. That he has made others shave with. There was no cleaning, no shaving cream, and it was not a one time use disposable type razor. The possible medical issues that this opens him up to makes me sick. How do we proceed?
Obviously, he is 19 and an adult. So any complaints or communication should come from him. And he could/should have refused. He said in the moment he was caught off guard and just complied. He said he has seen this manager have others do this before. I am furious, and concerned for those teenagers that don’t know any better or how to stand up for themselves. I want them to facilitate blood work for my son and anyone else who has been instructed to use this razor. I also want to make sure that it doesn’t happen to anyone else, and for the manager who is doing this to be held appropriately accountable. This may seem silly, but it could quickly change someone’s life, all over a stupid ice cream shop manager’s power trip. I also have not seen the dress code policy itself to see if this is even actually a true policy that should have been addressed at all. When there are specifications regarding body hair, how is that legally defined? His was really such a small amount- not even 24 hours of regrowth.
Sorry if this was too long, and thank you for the advice!