Woman fights racist workplace dress code with cosplay

Don't mess with a cosplayer.
 By 
Andrea Romano
 on 
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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

This is why you don't mess with a cosplayer.

It can be difficult to know what to wear to work when your company doesn't have a dress code, however, "clean and pressed" seems pretty straightforward.

June Rivas seemed capable of following those rules, but was being constantly reprimanded for her attire.


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In particular, Rivas' boss took offense to her wearing her hair in a ponytail. So, instead of a ponytail, Rivas covered her hair with a scarf, to which her boss also took offense.

Other than her hair, Rivas looked clean and professional, wearing blouses, matching suits and heels to work.

Rivas filed a harassment complaint with her company's HR department. Her boss then sent out a memo that stated a new dress code that bans " [visible bra] straps, hats, sandals, cleavage, back out, lace, and even...cultural head wraps."

"Uhh... yeah. Lawsuit much," Rivas wrote.

She's is not the first woman of color to be targeted for a hairstyle, either. For instance, one Zara employee posted about her experience after two managers told her to take out her braid and "fix" her hair into a straightened up-do. And a waitress in Toronto was sent home because she kept her hair in a tight bun when working.

Rivas reported her boss to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, but while they investigate, she intends to comply with her boss's demands, and it just so happens she has the perfect wardrobe thanks to her love of cosplay.

We thought Rivas looked great in a suit, but we're seriously digging all these dress code-approved looks.

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Andrea Romano

Andrea Romano -- comedy writer, craft enthusiast, lady -- was a Watercooler Reporter. She worked as an intern at Mashable beginning in January 2014. Andrea recently completed her Masters degree in Media Studies and Film from The New School and writes sketch comedy at Upright Citizens Brigade and The People's Improv Theatre. She once watched three Paul Rudd movies in a row on a bicoastal flight and didn't realize it until she landed. She does things like that a lot. Twitter: @theandrearomano

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