Kerre Woodham: Hairdo raises store's ire-brows

Jenaya Johnston is one of the good girls. You're not likely to read about her running amok with a baseball bat, or robbing little old ladies of their handbags, or beating up bus drivers late at night.

When we deplore the actions and attitudes of the youth of today, we'd do well to remember that there are plenty of young ones around like Jenaya. Kids who go out and get themselves part-time work, and combine that responsibility with their studies and after-school sport. Kids who make their families proud. And 15-year-old Jenaya's one of those.

She's studying for her NCEA, she's involved in sport and she works down at her local Pak'N Save. But she might not be working there for much longer. And all because of a few streaks in her hair.

Recently, Jenaya went to her school ball. And as a special treat, her grandmother paid for her to get her hair done. She had some red and blonde highlights put through her naturally dark hair, and very nice it looks, too.

Jenaya reported for work the day after the ball - for which she deserves a medal - and worked another shift a couple of days later, but suddenly, out of the blue, she was told to get the colour out of her hair or she would face disciplinary action.

Jenaya was shocked and upset - and her mum was furious. She's checked her daughter's contract and there's nothing in there that says streaks are forbidden. You could understand if we were talking about green hair, or one of those spectacular punk Mohawks that scythed a trail through the 80s.

You could even understand the bosses demanding that a mullet be given the chop. Any of these might upset the customers and frighten the metaphorical horses.

But no. These are professionally applied highlights that enhance the attractiveness of a pretty young woman. A pretty young woman who is also a professional and reliable young woman and by all accounts, appreciated by the customers. Dear me. What an own goal from Pak'N Save.

At a time of low unemployment, you would think that businesses would want to hang on to good employees, but thanks to this sort of nit-picking management, Pak'N Save Henderson could well lose this young lady. She loves her job. And she enjoys working at the store because of her fellow workmates and the interaction she has with the customers.

She was asked to appear on television news, but she turned down the opportunity for five minutes of fame because she didn't want to inflame the situation. Of course, I've only heard one side of the story and while Pak'N Save refuses to comment that's the way it will stay. I can understand companies wanting their staff to look well presented and well groomed.

In fact, Pak'N Save's rival, Progressive Enterprises, has a policy which forbids piercing, so unless Jenaya took out the nose stud, she wouldn't be able to work down the road at the competition either.

But surely there must be someone out there who can see the value in having this young woman on their staff roster.