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By Samantha Wright-Allen
The Ottawa Convention Centre is standing firm on its employee policy banning visible tattoos after three worker say they were locked out last week for baring their ink.
“Employees are very aware of that term of agreement to cover up tattoos,” said Daniel Coates, marketing manager of the OCC.
Daniel Caissie and Johnny St-Amour, who move equipment in the building, and Nyema Williams, a housekeeper, all say they were asked to cover their tattoos to comply with company policy.
They all refused and were asked to go home. Since then, their pass keys to get into the building no longer work.
Coates said the three, to his knowledge, were not at work Monday but he hoped management could speak with them.
“They haven’t been locked out, management does need to speak with them before they get back on the floor, but we do want them back working.”
He said the long-standing policy is important to the services the convention centre offers.
“It helps protect an image that is pleasing and serving to the public,” Coates said. “We serve the public. We serve delegates. We like to maintain a neutral sort of look because we sell rooms and meeting space.”
Two months ago, Coates said the OCC introduced a newer, lighter uniform in response to employee request.
“The OCC engaged these same employees in the process of new professional uniforms that were more comfortable and they agreed to a new uniform.”
Despite the 22C building temperature, employees complained the turn to summer still made the heavy lifting too hot when setting up events.
But Caissie said it’s about more than just sweat.
He calls the incident a case of “workplace discrimination of body modification” and one that is a matter of freedom of expression and human rights.
This is not the first time dress codes have become a labour issue. In 2012, an arbitrator struck down an Ottawa Hospital dress code that demanded workers cover up tattoos and remove their piercings. One justification for the dress code on the hospital’s part was that body art could be disturbing to patients.
While arbitrator Lorne Slotnick agreed some of the older patients might have a more negative first impression, he said there was no evidence body art affected patient health and the dress code did unjustifiably restrict workers’ rights “to present themselves as they see fit.”
Williams, who is a single mother, said on the weekend that she will go back to work at the convention centre, but plans to grieve the policy. St-Amour was undecided but Caissie said he won’t comply with the conditions.
“If I comply, that’s condoning their actions. It’s saying I agree with what they’re doing.”
Though Coates disagrees with the term “locked out,” he said as it stands the three will have to comply with the tattoo rule in order to work on the floor again.
He said the OCC has no plans to change the policy, but expects the issue will be addressed when a grievance is filed.
With files from Joanne Laucius
sallen@ottawacitizen.com
查看原文...
The Ottawa Convention Centre is standing firm on its employee policy banning visible tattoos after three worker say they were locked out last week for baring their ink.
“Employees are very aware of that term of agreement to cover up tattoos,” said Daniel Coates, marketing manager of the OCC.
Daniel Caissie and Johnny St-Amour, who move equipment in the building, and Nyema Williams, a housekeeper, all say they were asked to cover their tattoos to comply with company policy.
They all refused and were asked to go home. Since then, their pass keys to get into the building no longer work.
Coates said the three, to his knowledge, were not at work Monday but he hoped management could speak with them.
“They haven’t been locked out, management does need to speak with them before they get back on the floor, but we do want them back working.”
He said the long-standing policy is important to the services the convention centre offers.
“It helps protect an image that is pleasing and serving to the public,” Coates said. “We serve the public. We serve delegates. We like to maintain a neutral sort of look because we sell rooms and meeting space.”
Two months ago, Coates said the OCC introduced a newer, lighter uniform in response to employee request.
“The OCC engaged these same employees in the process of new professional uniforms that were more comfortable and they agreed to a new uniform.”
Despite the 22C building temperature, employees complained the turn to summer still made the heavy lifting too hot when setting up events.
But Caissie said it’s about more than just sweat.
He calls the incident a case of “workplace discrimination of body modification” and one that is a matter of freedom of expression and human rights.
This is not the first time dress codes have become a labour issue. In 2012, an arbitrator struck down an Ottawa Hospital dress code that demanded workers cover up tattoos and remove their piercings. One justification for the dress code on the hospital’s part was that body art could be disturbing to patients.
While arbitrator Lorne Slotnick agreed some of the older patients might have a more negative first impression, he said there was no evidence body art affected patient health and the dress code did unjustifiably restrict workers’ rights “to present themselves as they see fit.”
Williams, who is a single mother, said on the weekend that she will go back to work at the convention centre, but plans to grieve the policy. St-Amour was undecided but Caissie said he won’t comply with the conditions.
“If I comply, that’s condoning their actions. It’s saying I agree with what they’re doing.”
Though Coates disagrees with the term “locked out,” he said as it stands the three will have to comply with the tattoo rule in order to work on the floor again.
He said the OCC has no plans to change the policy, but expects the issue will be addressed when a grievance is filed.
With files from Joanne Laucius
sallen@ottawacitizen.com
查看原文...
