AMERICAN APPAREL OWNER WANTS TO FIRE "UGLY EMPLOYEES" UM..THIS IS A PIC OF WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE? IS HIS JOB SAFE?
Meg here! I know Dov Charney been the subject of every weird pervy story in fashion but have you heard the latest? I think it is hysterical coming from this troll. Anyhow, here are snippets from Gawker
"Dov usually gets on the conference calls and talks to people, but one week, he went on a huge tirade and made stores that weren't doing well send in group photos. Why, you ask? He made store managers across the country take group photos of their employees so that he could personally judge people based on looks. He is tightening the AA 'aesthetic,' and anyone that he deems not good-looking enough to work there, is encouraged to be fired. This is blatant discrimination based on looks. Dov personally judged each person in group photos that were sent in, and if you weren't to his liking, then boy... watch out. The comments that he made were raging from childish ones to insulting ones. Managers that don't comply with these new standards are afraid of losing their jobs. Employees who aren't up to Dov's "look" and whose work ethic is "just ok" are being targeted and scrutinized and the minute they make small mistakes, they are being fired. But it's only because Dov wants to weed out the "ugly people." It's ironic that he would rather have gorgeous slackers who don't move the product [or lift a finger] working there than normal looking people who are really aren't that bad looking, but are A+ sellers and great at customer service."
Wow! Don't have a bad hair day, get bloated or have your skin breakout if Dov is around. I mean, you need your job right? Maybe Dov could promote www.megsmakeup.com to his employess that need some makeup tips? With the kind of pressure he's putting on them we'd see our readership soar.
What a complete scumbag.
Anyhow, I'm not going to be shopping at AA anymore and its not because of the looks of the salespeople.
What do you ladies think? Have you ever felt discriminated over your appearance?
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Comments
That's awful and encourages bullying in the workplace,I think it would make work all cliquey like high school.The irony is obviously lost on him as he definately fell out of the ugly tree and got hit by every branch on the way down.I know one of my friend's who work in retail was telling me their encouraged to ask for a photo with every cv for the same reason as they see the worker's as a walking advertisment for the clothing.I don't think this is going to make him too popular with female shopper's.It's very bad for the self esteem of his workers-imagine if someone who was a recovering anorexic was working for him all the stress and pressure could send them spiralling down again.
PotionPrincess♥
American Apparel, from the behavior of their owner to their borderline softcore porn ads, has always seemed like the SLEAZIEST company to me. There's no way I'd ever buy anything from them, especially after hearing this.
Wow that is absolutely horrible! I can't believe that today in this day and age that this is going on. Maybe if American Apparel isn't doing well they should look at their products. I never shop there because if I'm going to spend that much on an item of clothing I don't want it to be a basic that looks like I picked it up at walmart. I have never found anything in their stores to be appealing. But maybe thats because I'm Canadian and not American. This guy is so going to get sued though!
i never shopped at that store and i am not very likely to in the future.... how can he judge on appearance if he doesnt look that hot, at least in my view :) that is one weird story....i had problems working at certain places where bosses or co-workers would hit on me or flirt for no good reason. i never gave them any ideas, but i got quite a few compliments and solicitations once they learned i am from Eastern Europe, never mind the fact that i have lived here for 10 years.... Some American men automatically assume that if you were born in a certain area of the world it gives them a right to treat you differently than an American woman... As if sexual harrasment laws will only apply to some women, and not others...
Who IS this amoeba? No, comparing him to an amoeba is an insult to all single-cell creatures on the planet. He looks more like a sea cucumber I saw in an aquarium tank over my vacation, anyway. All mouth and no class.
wow that is shocking! I could understand if he was brad pitt but he looks so sloppy and ungroomed himself. If a person is good at their job, then physical attractiveness shouldn't come into it. I personally would feel uncomfortable shopping in a store full of barbie clones and i can imagine many teens with low confident feeling the same. Maybe if enough people take notice and his profits take a beating, his policies may change.
Potion princess - your comment has me howling out loud. And I have to say, by the most generous 'beauty yardstick', he was way back in line when the Good Lord was handing out good looks!!!! Unfortunate appearance aside, this kind of stinky attitude would turn the handsomest prince into a hideous little toad in my eyes. I hope he sends himself a 'you're to ugly for your job' FIRED memo by tomorrow amWell done for always taking on these subjects Meg. This is where the consumer has the perfect opportunity to instill morality and ethics into the corporate world. You hear something like this, and you instantly publish it on the web, and refuse to buy at that company EVER AGAIN. I do this as a matter of course, and if I'm ever 'back in the USA', I will make it a point not to shop here, regardless of how desirable their apparel may be (not very by the sound of it).
Rie
Ugh, what a scumbag! I can't believe anyone would ever do this. Who is he to decide beauty, anyway? I agree with sangus- when I got to a store and everyone looks like they popped out of the same mold- with the females wearing caked on makeup- it makes me feel really awkward and uncomfortable.
I remember there was a HUGE law suit agains ruby tuesdays! They wanted to fire a woman who didnt wear make up! and she won bigggggg money!! ... Isnt that kind of like a hitler kinda thing.. killing off the jewish people even though he was jewish...... fireing "ugly people" when he IS UGLY!!!!!! SOOO gross!!!!
I don't shop there and now I never will. Who is he to say who is pretty and who isn't? Potion Princess - I agree. He better fire himself first. Not to mention that he is breaking a law and once word gets out he will be facing a huge lawsuit that will probably take his company down. I also agree with sangus. AA is geared toward teens. Most teens have low self esteem (especially in these days w/obesity), what teen is going to want to go shop for a pair of jeans if say they are a size 9 and the girl working is a size 1? Not me.When I was 19-20 I used to wear sexier tops to work (at my old job) and I was dubbed as the office slut. Needless to say I am more classy now and loving every bit of it. Now I don't feel like I'm being stared at all the time. (plus the women I work with probably wouldn't look at me like that anyways. LOL)
This is not uncommon for certain brands...
A close friend was excited to have been recruited (while sunbathing at the beach, no less!) to work at a retail store (that rhymes with "Blabercrombie and Bitch") that was opening a new location in a mall nearby.
She was such a go-getter, she volunteered for any and all possible shifts for several weeks in an effort to have the store ready for its grand opening. She worked her tail off and was treated to the graveyard shift, upon the store opening, for all her hard work.
Turns out, she was beautiful enough to be hand-picked off the beach, to be hired to do all the grunt work behind the scenes, but not enough to actually work the floors of the retail store.
When it came to those positions, the recruiter went back to the beach, but specifically chose girls with an "All American look." (Read: blonde hair, blue eyes)
For what it's worth, my friend is a very thin, stunningly gorgeous brown-eyed, brown-haired beauty, with the brightest dimpled smile, of Hispanic ancestry, who, upon realizing this discrimination, resigned her post and now works at an office where they value both her work ethic and her brains over her looks.
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Come on, there have to be other people out there who think their ads are skanktastic :P If I wanted to see that much camel toe I'd go to the zoo!
I've never seen any of their ads, or been to one of their stores. Here in Los Angeles, their advertising is the slogan "Legalize L.A." I find that kind of patronizing and possibly harmful toward illegal immigrants who do work in other clothing factories downtown, so I'm already annoyed with them.
They really are above and beyond in the skanky category. I just went to the site to look, as I couldn't even remember offhand what type of clothing they sell (hmm, yeah, I'd say that proves that the problem with sales isn't the attractiveness of the employees, but just a crappy brand?). I do remember liking a pair of leggings from them once, and when I clicked on the legging page right at the top was a picture of a chick in a pair of leggings. That's it. No top, no bra, and not covering herself. Legs splayed open to boot. I know that's exactly the kind of thing that makes me want to pull out my credit card and make a purchase.Seriously, how do they expect women to take this brand seriously and want to buy clothing based on these ads and product pictures?? They have a chick in a bathing suit sitting with her legs spread eagle towards the camera, you can't really get much more crass than that. Just looking at the site makes me want to go get a Hep B shot.
Meg, thank you fornot just being a beauty blog, but for also taking a critical look at companies that women are interested in.
I've purchased a few American Apparel items and liked them a lot--the unisex 50/50 deep v neck shirts,the convertible dress. But I felt then, and still do, that their products are overrated and tend to not fit that well.
I also recently heard that their selfproclaimed fair labor policies are not as legit as AA claims. I think I remember there being a news article that says AA hired many illegal immigrants...
In any case, AA's Dov has not endeared his company to me at all with his recent acts of discrimination. I hope that he is sued so that there will be justice for people of all looks. I hope that women will boycott AA and contact AA regarding this information. What a despicable company!
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What an idiot. He's setting himself up to be sued. Unfortunately, this probably happens more often than we want to think, however, the managers are "good" at covering their real reasons for hiring/firing. Oh my gosh! When I was younger and bartending I was out looking for a new job. I was a VERY good bartender, too. One bar (an employee, not a manager) told me that if I wanted to bartend, I should check out a different place because this place only hired male bartenders. I could apply to be a server, though... Wow! Anybody remember the suit filed against Hooters by a guy?P.S. Anybody watch So You Think You Can Dance? Doesn't Dov look like that loser "Sex" who keeps on auditioning every year? Ha!
I'm with you Meg. I never have shopped there, but now I never will. I can't believe people can be that shallow. And look at him! He looks like a complete greaseball! In my opinion when I go to shop at a retail store I like to have people helping me that I can relate too -- not unaproachable model snobs!
"Sex' looks better, and having written that I now have to go lie down with my head underneath the dining room table.
I am laughing so hard I am crying!!! (Glad I read this before I put on my mascara!)
Well, if you are going down you might as well do so surrounded by beautiful people.Honestly though, for me, a bright smile and a friendly greeting is all I require from a salesperson. Oh, and them not being too pushy. Looks? Nah. I think only men, obsessed with getting old and being non-attractive will return to a store because the salesperson looked hot. :P
Wow, wow, wow! I've never shopped at AA before, but I SURE won't be now! What a total meanie!!!!! I guess I can understand that the look of a person *may* (or maybe not!) influence buyers, but still... And what about the other way around? I know if I go to a store like Gap or others like that where the salespeople are drop dead gorgeous, skinny, and look perfect, it's actually verrrrry intimidating! I'd actually be more likely to shop in stores that have actual normal, everyday people.I hope he realizes how wrong this is on so many levels...I wonder if he has a sister or mother and what he would think if someone fired them from a job because they weren't pretty enough? Ugg..
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Wow. Unbelievable. I really don't know what to say. I've never heard of Dov before this, so I don't know about his past antics, but I'm completely disgusted. Unfortunately, as other posters have stated, this happens all the time, perhaps just not as blatant. We all have to do our best to fight through the sleeze.
I think Dov should be fire! Some people are actually doing an amazing job and now he's saying just before he thinks your ugly you're fired.. This is crazy!
That's horrible. When I worked at Abercrombie, you got hired based on your looks. Your interview didn't matter. I've seen so many people get hired, and you would have thought they ate compressed air for breakfast (no offense to anyone, just trying to make a point lol). A&F even has a contest with the associates from ALL stores to find the best looking one in the regions. And the people the managers thought couldn't be a 'model' (another name for associate); they were hired as people in the stock room. I guess sex sells, but their photos in the stores def. cover that part.
This blows my mind. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why he feels like he is the chosen one to judge other people's appearance. People in today's society are already concerned and conscious about how they appear. Then, add someone who has control over your job to scrutinize you. This borders on obscenity. The employees should ban together and write up their own critiques of his appearance. I will not, now or ever, patron his stores.
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Wow... I dont even know what to say...That is just so... Wrong. Isnt this illeagal? I mean its obvious certain companies wont hire you based on your looks and the style you have... But just blatantly announcing that is what you are doing... Shouldnt someone be going after him?
Will definitally never shop there again and tell as many people as I know.
In later years I was overweight and I feel like I got judged alot. People always tell me Im beaturiful but I never believed it because of my weight.
I wouldnt even think about applying for a job at AA or ambercrombie or any place like that! I know I would get laughed at in the interview!
But I would NEVER want to work for a place like that!
Tan is Love
I've never felt discriminated against because of my appearance although I have definately felt so because of my gender. "Oh sweetie we wouldn't want your nails to chip...we'll have the boys do that." Seriously? WTF?! I paint my own nails too!!!This guy is a tool. For real. What a lozzzer! I won't be shopping American Apparal anymore...
Sadly, this type of superficiality seems to run rampant at many retail chains. One one hand, I see how it could be beneficial to the company, since selling clothing, is pretty much based on image. On the other hand, it's also a disgusting display of discrimination. This reminds of the Abercrombie & Fitch situation where they hired a teen with a prosthetic arm, only to relegate her to the backroom because she "didn't fit the A&F image." The girl wore A&F clothes and followed the "image guidelines." Blatant discrimination, if you ask me.A side note-- I do think we need to be careful not to imply that those who are conventionally "good-looking" are more entitled to judge the beauty or worthiness of others. It wouldn't be any more acceptable for Dov Charney to bully and degrade employees if he were an Adonis.
I have absolutely been discriminated against because of my appearance. And frankly it sucks! I am an overweight person. I always have been. And I probably always will be. I have a lot of health problems that are the root cause of this. And this past years things have gotten worse and I put on a lot of weight quickly. Whether someone is "ugly", "fat", or different in some way they should not be treated with disdain or discriminated against. I swear that people think that those that are different have asked for this or somehow caused it. No! And what a boring world we would have if everyone looked the same. Beauty is such a subjective thing. I don't like being overweight. But for right now that is just the way things are. I know that I am still beautiful inside and out. It is important to hold your head high regardless of your looks. But I know that this is incredibly difficult when you face scrutiny such as this. Your looks should not affect your employment. I do not shop in AA as it is. They don't carry my size! LOLBut I will certainly discourage anyone I know from ever shopping there again. And it seems to me that this is clear cut discrimination. I hope that good old Dov gets slapped with some major law suits.
Okay what a sleazeball. By the way he looks he should be the first one to be fired. He looks like a perv from the 70s. People should just boycott American Apparel altogether and call it a day. Hardworking people shouldn't be put to such scrutiny.
I can't believe what I am reading !I am FRENCH 100% and in my country you CAN'T FIRE someone for NO REASON ! ( sorry but the look isnt and will never be a reason) when you want to fire someone in FRANCE that person must had been terrible not doing his job or putting people in dangerous situation !!! it's very hard to get fired in FRANCE and this is somthing I really like about my country (with free healthcare social security....).BAck to AAHow can someone be judging sellers's skills on their looks (maybe he doesn't care about skills lol)? Why going to school then ? I mean I just need to find a good surgeon he will makes me look FANTASTIC and I am done ready to have a great Career !!!! wowoPATHETIC SAD and DESAPOINTING !
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How FUNNY, Kedavis03, as I was reading everyone's comments, I kept thinking, what a complete and total TOOL! You and I think alike! Don't worry about payback, the universe has the most beautiful way of balancing things out. Karma can be a real bitch, and one day Dov will get his, count on it! Of course, in the meantime we can boycott his ass, spread the word and just wait until it all finally catches up with him! BTW, it isn't his physical appearance that makes him so ugly, it's all of his inner poison seeping out of his pores that affects his look. Even the best clothes, the best body, hair, and skin wouldn't be able to hide this type of disgusting personality. He would be just as ugly even if he looked exactly like the hottest male movie stars! Pathetic, he is totally pathetic and doesn't even know it.
I hope this is a joke.
I don't get discrimanted based on looks, but more so on my ethnicity. Actually, I wouldn't really call it discrimination, it's more like people having an assumption of what I'm like and then seeing a surprised look on their face when I'm not what they expected. I live in a country-ish area in VA and most Hispanic people in my area have heavy accents or don't speak English. Well, I've been speaking English since I was six years old, so my accent is gone. I wish I had one so I could sound sexy like Salma Hayek : )Most cashiers won't say a word to me and I assume it's b/c they think I don't speak English. Then I surprise them by saying "Thanks, have a great day!" The look on their face is priceless, lol. I did have a funny as hell thing happen to me one night at Wal-Mart. My family and I were on our way out and this older gentlemen in a big ass truck waves me over. I think "Oh, maybe he needs directions" So I go over and he asks (in a super awesome southern accent) "Uhmm, I was just wondering if you or anyone you know is looking for work.....on a farm" I couldn't help but smile and politely said "Oh, no sir, but thank you!"I wasn't offended, it was funny, like he had some kind of radar in his truck, lol. I told my hubby and he cracked up.
Although I am shocked about how public this discrimination is, I'm not surprised about the practice. Have you ever wondered why A&F and Holllister workers are all blonde and beautiful? (I live in a predominantly non-white area, and our A&F and Hollister are 99% full of white workers). It happens at every store, although the "looks test" is usually just a consideration for hiring, not really for firing. It happens everywhere, just not quite in such an extreme way.
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I used to work for A&F and Hollister and they have a diversity thing that they have to fill. Like there's a percentage of whites, african american, asian, etc that they're supposed to fill. A&F has been sued before for hiring mostly white people. It's all about looks there and I can't believe they're still not dealing with lawsuits.
This is just wrong wrong wrong! Who cares what the salesperson looks like. I know I don't. I've never shopped there and I never will. Also, I'll make sure all my friends know about this! I hope he gets sued!
Well here is one condolence. The stock DROPPED today. It's down almost 5% today. It looks like Wall Street sees a lawsuit in the works!
This is another reason I love this site. It isn't just all beauty and makeup (which don't get me wrong I LOVE) but it makes us aware of issues that we may not hear of otherwise. Thanks Meg. I've never had an interest in American Apparel clothing whenever I walk by the store. I'll be sure to give my business to other companies that have ethical practices unlike this one. Thanks for letting us in on the scoop!
I think Dov needs to take a long walk off a short pier. I can't believe that someone, who looks like him, has the nerve to fire people based on their "average" appearence. Mabye he should take a photo of himself and see if he fits his new standard image. What a jerk.Well, when the stores begin to do even worse next month we will all know why.
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Urgh, what a horrible story. I can't believe a company is discriminating against their employees so blatantly! Sure, I've witnessed it here in Australia where employees just so happen to be all of the same look, but for this guy to admit it is asking for trouble.Are there any laws regarding this in the US?We don't have AA here so I can't boycott them! Damn. :|
Thanks for posting this Meg! I had no idea that he was such a piece of scum.I was lured into the whole AA idea (marketing scheme) when I first found out that there clothes were American made and selling for a cheep price. Much lower that what an American made Lucky Brand shirt would cost (although most of Lucky Brand is no longer made here). Plus, they had organic clothes at a fair price too. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a sucker for anything organic, fair traded or ethically made. However, just because the clothes is made in America, it doesn't mean that it was ethically made. Plus, as bluedevilkitty posted, there have been reports that many of their garment laborers were/are illegal residents. I feel that hiring undocumented workers is unethical, because these workers don't have the same protection as the rest of us from unethical employers.I have been discriminated at work because I look young, much younger than my age. I'm a 5' tall blonde hair blue eyed girl with freckles, and people never come close to guessing my age. I've been asked age related questions when I've been interviewing for management jobs. It really sucks. However, my confidance and experience wins future employers over. That being said, when I worked for The Body Shop, if my manager wasn't there when applications were droped off, the first thing she would ask is "how did her skin or makeup look?" While that seems shallow, I can understand why the question was asked. When you work for a cosmetics company, you are selling the brand with how your face looks, which is why these companies have a minimum amount of product you must wear. However, a clothing company has no right judging someone from there looks alone.This girl will no longer be buying AA!
He is a slimeball! Their whole add campaign has a sleezy feel to me pretending to be hip/alternative. Yuck, I won't buy anymore of their tank tops!
We always refer to that store as the "fake clothing" store. Does anyone actually wear that stuff?? They do have solid tees in lots of colours that are normal looking, but a lot of the clothing is just plain weird.And that man is in no position to be telling employees they aren't attractive enough. I believe Abicrombie and Fitch did the same thing, wouldn't let an amputee work in the front of the store because she didn't "look" right. Honestly, I don't care what the employees of the store look like, if the clothes are nice I will buy them. I am more concerned about the massive amount of ugly clothes out there designers expect me to buy!
Thank you for opening our eyes to someone like that. I can't imagine patronizing his stores with that kind of knowledge.
~~Christy
Nice. And people wonder why so many women have issues with how they look. :P I've occasionally seen things posted online from AA that looked cute, but by and large it seems to be quite trashy. Now knowing the ideals of the owner, it's safe to say I won't be supporting them.fatcat, I'm in the same boat with being judged on my age.. I'm also about 5', blonde and blue eyed with freckles, and get carded just going to R rated films. I've been told that not only do I look 'too young' for things, but 'too innocent' as well.. which makes me feel spiteful and like telling them where to shove it. People who don't know me don't seem to take me seriously just based on looks, and it really sucks.
wow this is ridiculous. How can this even be allowed to happen? I'm glad that I've always made fun of American Apparel and never shopped there (although I have heard plenty of good things about their t-shirts...). I've been eying this super cute bathing suit but I guess I won't be buying it!Thanks for posting this tidbit and enlightening us all.
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what a dbag. if ur gonna be judging people on their looks, u better make sure yo ass is fiiiiiiiiiine (lol...jk!) and he is soooo NOT. Augh. How ignorant. Who gives a hoot what anyone looks like? I buy my clothes based on whether or not they are cute, not whether or not the salesperson is cute! I think this guy needs a kick in the ass. i don't think I have ever been discriminated based or being or not being attractive...but I have been discriminated on based on my race. It doesn't hurt my feelings but it makes me so angry! It still happens...especially where I love now which is mostly older generation white people. Its so frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, I've never heard about that guy before, but he sounds like a total sleaze bag! I really hope that some of the people who get fired sue him big time! When I go shopping, I don't care about what the sales people look like, and don't think people who apply for jobs should be based on their looks more then their skills or experience...
ROFLMAO, looking at this pic provided me from keeping a straight face during the whole day!!! Thanks for this alone, it's priceless, Meg!I know that ALOT of employees suffer from having a bad boss (so does my husband, but...I won't go into it), but this is definitely one of the sickest jokes I ever heard about mistreating employees..seriously. I don't wish nothing bad upon nobody, but this guy just logically will go bankrupt with his company (I don't know anything about the clothing lines) because dumb bombshells won't sell as good as okay looking smarties. I'm so furious about this guy, I have to change the topic.
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