Harrods sales assistant ‘driven out’ over refusal to wear makeup

Posted 05/07/2011

A Harrods sales assistant may wish to make a claim under employment law after she was allegedly driven out of her job for failing to wear makeup.

Melanie Stark, 24, resigned from her position at the Knightsbridge department store – which spans seven floors and welcomes 15 million customers though its doors every year – after twice being sent home for not complying with the retailer’s dress code.

On another occasion she was sent to work in the stockroom and was once offered a makeup workshop.

“I was appalled. It was insulting. Basically, it was implying it would be an improvement. I don’t understand how they think it is OK to say that,” Ms Stark, who worked in the shop’s HMV concession, stated.

She claimed that although she enjoyed her job, she felt as though she had been “driven out” over the matter.

Ms Stark added that she failed to see why Harrods should have the right to decide whether or not she had to wear makeup.

Individuals who think they may have a claim under employment law can get advice from the team at Ashtons Legal.