Twitter users applaud dad’s crusade for fired daughter’s colourful hair

A 19-YEAR-OLD sacked for having colourful hair has been flooded with job offers after a tweet from her dad went viral.

WHEN one father took to Twitter in hopes of helping his 19-year-old daughter find employment, he never expected the post, and their larger message of inclusion, to go viral.

“Hey Twitter. This is my eldest daughter, Jess. She’s had a fairly rubbish time lately,” Joe Blakeney, of Brighton, England wrote on March 25, sharing a selfie of the pair. “Her last employer decided her hair colour was stopping her work productivity and fired her. She’s desperate to get another job. She’s a hard worker and good kid.”

With the post since going viral with over 9100 retweets, 13000 likes and 1000 comments, Mr Blakeney told Fox News it’s been a “crazy journey” as their story has resonated with so many people. Many Twitter users shared photos of their own colourful hair, stories of career success and positive messages for Jess, which has made Mr Blakeney realise the weight of the issue.

Hey Twitter. This is my eldest daughter, Jess. She’s had a fairly rubbish time lately. Her last employer decided her hair colour was stopping her work productivity and fired her. She’s desperate to get another job. She’s a hard worker and good kid. Area: Brighton RT’s appreciated pic.twitter.com/7hFQlNxQwB

— Still Bizzle from the block (@JBizzleBeard) March 25, 2018

People think with their heads not the colour of their hair! Your daughter looks fabulous. She's not the problem. It's old fashioned #bigots and #conformists.
We have the right to dress and colour our hair anyway we want. It's called being creative.

— Goldy Marx (@goldy_marx) March 27, 2018

I too suffer from major depression and anxiety. My hair color is the one thing in my life that I can control. Thankfully my current employer (in a white collar job) doesn't have a problem with it. Good luck!!!

— Lisa (@Eponine72) March 29, 2018

I don't know for sure , but blue hair seems perfectly acceptable in certain jobs .... pic.twitter.com/Dc0Li2Eeh0

— Graham McMillan (@macfloyd53) March 25, 2018

My eldest daughter went through one of the worst things that could ever happen. She was sexually assaulted 3 years ago. This has seen both of our mental healths take a battering. We are both diagnosed with anxiety and depression but we both sought help.

— Still Bizzle from the block (@JBizzleBeard) March 27, 2018

Be more loving. Be less judgemental. Just be good, have fun, party, spend time with your family, respect others and do nice things for people without wanting something in return. We’re not here for a long time, so let’s make it a good time! #OneLove

— Still Bizzle from the block (@JBizzleBeard) March 27, 2018

“Even though I added the part about my daughter being fired in her last job because of her hair, I didn’t add it to cause a stir. If anything we had already accepted the discrimination and moved on,” he said.

“It’s only the people who have replied to my tweet that have made me realise that the reason for her being fired is actually a big deal. It seems there are many, many people being discriminated against in the workplace, not just because of the colour of their hair. We’re talking race, age, sex, gender, disability to name but a few reasons.

“My kids are my world, no matter how old they are.”

Jess told Yahoo Lifestyle that she was hired for a position in the hospitality industry in September 2016, during which she sported “bright, light blue and half of my head was shaved”. Working her way up, she claims that there was never a single complaint from customers or colleagues regarding her ever-changing, brightly dyed tresses.

However, after 16 months of employment, her supervisor showed her the uniform policy for the first time and pointed at the “no outrageous hairstyles”. She was let go in January 2018.

Jess, who has coloured her hair since 2012, said her vibrant hair was a part of herself that she was not willing to give up.

Jess says that she has sported colourful locks for years.

“I feel much more comfortable in my skin with coloured hair. It’s who I am, and quite simply it’s fun and makes me feel good about myself,” she told the outlet, divulging that getting creative with her hair helps her alleviate her anxiety and depression.

“Living with poor mental health, it’s amazing — and actually very important — to find something that makes you feel that little bit better about yourself.”

Mr Blakeney later revealed on Twitter that his daughter was sexually assaulted three years ago, something the entire family is still coping with. For her part, Jess is proud that her dad has brought her story to light.

“I really want to help and protect other young people who may have experienced similar things. I want people to know that it’s more than possible to carry on after experiencing abuse and assault,” she said.

Since their story has gone viral, Mr Blakeney said that his daughter has received “an abundance of lovely job interview offers” that she will sort through to find the ideal role. In the meantime, she has garnered more than $1790 of the $183 goal via GoFundMe as she seeks to offset expenses related to her career hunt.

This article originally appeared on Fox News and has been republished here with permission.