ST. PETERS, MO (KTVI)– 24-year-old Ashley Davis loves her dreadlocks and has been growing them for more than 10 years. Everyone in her family has dreadlocks and she says dreds are a part of her culture and identity. Davis was shocked when a manager at Tower Loan in St. Peters said her hairstyle was no longer acceptable and was told to cut it. Davis refuses to change her hairstyle, the same style she wore when hired.
“My worst nightmare is I wake up and all of my hair is gone. As far as cutting it goes, no way it’s like cutting me open I can`t do it. My supervisor saw me two weeks after she hired me and said I was doing a great job,” said Davis.
The new company policy says dreadlocks, braids, mohawks, mullets and other hairstyles are against company guidelines. The new policy was implemented on September 21, 2013, just weeks after Davis started her job as a secretary. Davis also says she’s the only person in her office with the style.
“I`ve only been there for two months, and they came up with a policy. I feel like it`s degrading,” she said.
FOX 2 contacted Tower Loan who released the following statement:
“Tower Loan does not comment on individual personnel matters. However, Tower has an appearance policy that is clearly defined in its training manual. Tower believes a professional appearance is necessary for the success of the company.”
Davis says she’s hoping Tower Loan will take another look at their policies and accept people for what they bring to the company and not their personal style.
“My dreads I love them and I’m going to keep them. My hair is a part of me and it makes me the professional and bubbly person I am.” she said.
Follow Shawndrea Thomas on Facebook
