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Midwife's red hair falls foul of hospital rules | Midwife's red hair falls foul of hospital rules |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A long-serving midwife said she has been stopped from working because of the colour of her hair. | A long-serving midwife said she has been stopped from working because of the colour of her hair. |
Donna Crichton, from Sleaford, said she was told her bright red hair was not acceptable under United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust's (ULHT) uniform policy. | Donna Crichton, from Sleaford, said she was told her bright red hair was not acceptable under United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust's (ULHT) uniform policy. |
She spoke out after union criticism of the trust and said the decision had stopped her doing her job since June. | |
ULHT would not comment on active cases but said it expected staff to comply with its dress and appearance rules. | ULHT would not comment on active cases but said it expected staff to comply with its dress and appearance rules. |
'Taking a stand' | 'Taking a stand' |
Ms Crichton said she first dyed her hair red in 2004 and it was not an issue when she was taken on by the trust more than seven years ago. | Ms Crichton said she first dyed her hair red in 2004 and it was not an issue when she was taken on by the trust more than seven years ago. |
"Everyone knows me as the midwife with red hair," she added. | "Everyone knows me as the midwife with red hair," she added. |
She said she was only notified of action and sent home at the end of June after a manager took issue with her hair at a training event. | She said she was only notified of action and sent home at the end of June after a manager took issue with her hair at a training event. |
The action came months after the trust updated its uniform policy in October 2017. | The action came months after the trust updated its uniform policy in October 2017. |
"I am embarrassed that the colour of my hair and me taking a stand has stopped me working when there are more important issues in this world," she said. | "I am embarrassed that the colour of my hair and me taking a stand has stopped me working when there are more important issues in this world," she said. |
"I am devastated because I've been prevented from doing the job I absolutely adore." | "I am devastated because I've been prevented from doing the job I absolutely adore." |
She spoke out after the Unite union passed a motion of no confidence in ULHT on Monday, claiming bosses were more worried about hair colour and socks than understaffing. | She spoke out after the Unite union passed a motion of no confidence in ULHT on Monday, claiming bosses were more worried about hair colour and socks than understaffing. |
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Her treatment has also met with criticism on social media. | Her treatment has also met with criticism on social media. |
According to one person, trust managers were "unfit to run a bath". | According to one person, trust managers were "unfit to run a bath". |
Lincoln's former MP Karl McCartney also criticised the trust. | Lincoln's former MP Karl McCartney also criticised the trust. |
Others labelled them dinosaurs. | Others labelled them dinosaurs. |
Martin Rayson, director of Human Resources at the trust, said: "Like many other organisations, the trust sets standards for dress and appearance which we expect our staff to comply with. | |
"We encourage any member of staff with a query around the dress code and uniform policy to speak with their manager or the HR team to address any concerns." | "We encourage any member of staff with a query around the dress code and uniform policy to speak with their manager or the HR team to address any concerns." |
David Kirwan, operational manager for the Royal College of Nursing, said the College was "incredulous that a trust which has over 250 vacancies" saw this as a priority. | David Kirwan, operational manager for the Royal College of Nursing, said the College was "incredulous that a trust which has over 250 vacancies" saw this as a priority. |
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