Grooming standards changed

There was a story on the news last night that,to expand their pool of applicants,Walmart would allow employees to wear (gasp !) blue jeans.

DCC said:

As an associate I'm very happy to see these changes. I've always thought it looked bad having people on my crew with bandages and sweat bands on their arms to cover up tattoos. I also believe it restricted many people from applying/getting hired.

I think someone on here said that there was a lifeguard who had to cover up their tattoo with a large band-aid and people were nervous because they thought the lifeguard had a wound. They thought it would be super unsanitary if the lifeguard went in the pool.

This is very long overdue, no doubt. Hopefully this helps with staffing issues and overall associate satisfaction.

Jeff, I wonder if tattoes of tiny fires would help keep your feet warmer...

I'm fine with people having tattoos and piercings and working at the point. Last year the worst food sin I witnessed was the non tattooed, no bearded supervisor at sky ride refreshments eating the shredded cheese out of the bag with his gloved hands then going back to work with same gloves. As long as people don't do that kinda thing who cares.

Who eats shredded cheese out of a bag?

You clearly haven’t been to my house. Sometimes there’s a jar of mayonnaise involved...

I hope for god’s sake that it’s Miracle Whip, and not that perverted Hellman’s crap.

Did I say Miracle Whip Salad Dressing? I did not. I said mayonnaise. Real.
I will admit, however, that we are a two-jar household.

Miracle Whip is good, but it is not mayonnaise and has to much sugar.

LightDark18 said:
Who eats shredded cheese out of a bag?

Every. Day.

I was hiring people with tattoos when I was told not to, 10 years ago, because I needed to. And that is where there is a huge population. Cedar Point is in the middle of farm country. They can't afford to be so nit-picky since so many quality people have tattoos and beards these days.

I hired one of the first (if not the first) young ladies with cornrows back in the mid 90s. I don't believe she had them when I interviewed her but when she arrived for her first day she had them. Personnel called me and basically said, "Houston...we have a problem". She was sent to me so that I could explain that she would not be allowed to work with them in.

When she got to my office she was already pretty upset and as we talked I got to realizing that I had a lot of bad employees with "acceptable" hair and I wasn't about to lose a young lady I thought could be a good employee. I spoke to my Director who spoke to his Vice President and somehow an exception was made. Instead of working as a desk clerk at the hotel she was transferred to the campground (because campers would be more understanding of cornrows I guess). I think she worked for us for at least 3 seasons and she was a pleasure to be around.

Society changes and institutions should change with them.

MaverickLaunch said:

Statements like this make it sound like everybody is (or should be) a liberal. Acknowledge that these are not universally held beliefs. Perhaps they are a majority barely, or a minority barely, but certainly not anything near the degree the media would have you believe.

You: +5

Jeff: +18

MaverickLaunch said:

Why don't people infected with HIV get to draw blood?

Huh?

Actually, it's now a plus 7. I just voted. I know that the people favoring conservative grooming standards are still in the minority, but on a board like this (which caters generally to Cedar Point fans but seems to include a large preponderance of extreme speed/height enthusiasts) I am surprised there are as many traditionalists as there are.

We are a microcosm of enthusiasts, not of the general public. CP wants to attract as many customers as possible. Some have different values. This is why they don't want employees pointing with one finger. The park has had a reputation as a modern day Sodom and/or Gamorrah since at least the early nineties. It used to be less visible than it is today. Nonetheless, the fact remains. They are in the business of attracting a wide array of consumers, not simply running a colony of deviants letting their freak flags fly.

It comes down to the lowest common denominator. No one is likely to be offended by a neatly trimmed beard. However some of us consider tattoos to be trashy and don't even get me started on piercings. Conversely, has anyone been offended by someones' lack of tattoos? Jeff, you are entitled to your opinion, but as moderator at least be respectful of those who disagree with you.

"I look to a day when Cedar Point employees will not be judged by what's on their skin, but by the content of their character and job skills."

-Martin Luther King Jr., probably

I’ll step in here with the reminder that Jeff isn’t a moderator- this is his own site. He can say what he wants and if he’s a like it or lump it kind of guy then so be it.

And I’m not following you. That wide array of customers they seek expects a positive service experience, and just like those of us in this microcosm, will sound off if it isn’t. And go somewhere else next time.
This shift in guidelines is in an effort to attract employees who will be willing to show up and work, not to accommodate a public that is demanding a social change. They are merely trying to improve an area of service that is severely lacking.
I can’t get over the fact that some of you, conservative or not, hold a place like Cedar Point in a higher place than the Walmart, Taco Bell, or Kroger that you visit every week.
And just like always, Cedar Point won’t hire these newly accepted guys and gals with the idea that they will go unmonitored in their appearance, performance, or attitude. They will be expected to comply with the company’s standards in customer service and uniform.

How do you exist on this earth carrying the notion that a tattoo, hair, or a piercing is the sure sign of a ne’er do well? If not having one makes you a better person then great. And if you wanna keep your kids from doing it that’s your business. But unless I’m auditioning for a role in your latest movie, don’t tell me what I can do or how I should look while doing it.

I’d should say I’ll miss you at Cedar Point this summer, but actually I won’t.

cptedsdisciple2 said:

However some of us consider tattoos to be trashy and don't even get me started on piercings. Conversely, has anyone been offended by someones' lack of tattoos? Jeff, you are entitled to your opinion, but as moderator at least be respectful of those who disagree with you.

I think RCMAC covered it, but I don't have to respect anyone for judging people the way you are. I think it mostly makes you an asshole if you do. Who do you think you are to imply my wife is trashy for having a piercing? I've had as many as four. If you can't deal with that, seriously, stay home, lock your doors and avoid the Internet, because my pierced nipples are the reason you can talk about roller coasters here for free. You're welcome.

CPVet said:
I’m shocked that CF is still holding on strong to the facial hair grooming standard in any role. Disney ditched that standard several years back and I thought for sure that CF would follow shortly after. Go out in public and half of all adult males have some sort of facial hair grown out, probably closer to 90% if you count plain ole stubble, but for some reason a ride operator is too important and professional of a position to have a goatee or a few day’s growth beard... right? It’s a completely outdated relic of the 1950s that for some reason some companies are still holding onto.

Um, beards were allowed for all employees at Cedar Point all of last season. Perhaps you didn't notice?