Waitress at Hooters couldn't work because wounds left her without required glamor
Iowa Administrative Law Judge Teresa Hillary has ruled that a 27-year-old Illinois woman is eligible for unemployment benefits from a Davenport Hooters restaurant. The woman, Sara Dye, was a victim of domestic violence and the judge found that bruises she received at the hands of her attacker (unidentified in court records) were not workplace misconduct.
Dye and her managers at the restaurant agreed that she should take time off this fall after she suffered a violent attack that left her bruised and in the hospital. After taking some time off, Dye said she was subsequently fired from employment because of the attack and subsequent bruises. Hooters managers, however, argued that she abandoned her job.
The bruises left on Dye's body would have been visible as the waitress donned the scanty Hooters uniform -- a violation of 50-page company policy that dictates how Hooters Girls should look while on the job.
"The handbook states that you have to have a glamorous appearance," said Gina Sheedy, a corporate manager, after admitting to the judge that Dye would not have been allowed to work because of the bruises.
If you're interested in reading more about the arcane requirements for being a Hooters Girl, there's a more in-depth story by Clark Kauffman at The Des Moines Register. Frankly, I'd rather clean toilets than parade around in Daisy Duke's and a tight t-shirt. Then again, the only time I want to dress up as if I'm going on a big Saturday night date is when I'm actually going on a big Saturday night date.
If you are a victim of domestic violence -- male or female -- there is help. If you are on a safe computer (i.e., one at a public library or one that your attacker does not have access to) please visit the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence. If you need immediate help, please call the 24-hour statewide hotline at 1-800-942-0333.
People have a right to get angry at one another. People have a right to to disagree. No one, regardless of anything you've done, has a right to injure you. Conversely, no employer has a right to fire you because someone else has abused you -- even if such abuse shows outside your uniform.
Iowa Administrative Law Judge Teresa Hillary has ruled that a 27-year-old Illinois woman is eligible for unemployment benefits from a Davenport Hooters restaurant. The woman, Sara Dye, was a victim of domestic violence and the judge found that bruises she received at the hands of her attacker (unidentified in court records) were not workplace misconduct.
Dye and her managers at the restaurant agreed that she should take time off this fall after she suffered a violent attack that left her bruised and in the hospital. After taking some time off, Dye said she was subsequently fired from employment because of the attack and subsequent bruises. Hooters managers, however, argued that she abandoned her job.
The bruises left on Dye's body would have been visible as the waitress donned the scanty Hooters uniform -- a violation of 50-page company policy that dictates how Hooters Girls should look while on the job.
"The handbook states that you have to have a glamorous appearance," said Gina Sheedy, a corporate manager, after admitting to the judge that Dye would not have been allowed to work because of the bruises.
If you're interested in reading more about the arcane requirements for being a Hooters Girl, there's a more in-depth story by Clark Kauffman at The Des Moines Register. Frankly, I'd rather clean toilets than parade around in Daisy Duke's and a tight t-shirt. Then again, the only time I want to dress up as if I'm going on a big Saturday night date is when I'm actually going on a big Saturday night date.
If you are a victim of domestic violence -- male or female -- there is help. If you are on a safe computer (i.e., one at a public library or one that your attacker does not have access to) please visit the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence. If you need immediate help, please call the 24-hour statewide hotline at 1-800-942-0333.
People have a right to get angry at one another. People have a right to to disagree. No one, regardless of anything you've done, has a right to injure you. Conversely, no employer has a right to fire you because someone else has abused you -- even if such abuse shows outside your uniform.
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