Kiara Hornik, a former employee of Red Lobster, claims she was fired over her hair color by a new manager.
During a TikTok video that garnered 1.5 million views, Kiara filmed the new general manager telling her that she needed to dye her hair a “natural color” to keep her job.
Kiara argued that her hair color did not affect her ability to work professionally and that the new manager’s decision would result in a labor shortage.
After Kiara used the word “fucking” in the conversation, the manager asked her to leave, stating she was being inappropriate.
Viewers expressed their support for Kiara, saying that hair color should not matter as long as the service is good.
Kiara claimed she had the same hair color during her interview and that her former manager had no problem with it.
Kiara contacted the Red Lobster corporation for clarity on their policies and was informed that the new manager was wrong, and she would be rehired after contacting her district manager.
Kiara’s TikTok videos were viewed more than 57,000 times, with many viewers commenting that they saw nothing wrong with her hair color.
The U.S. Sun contacted Red Lobster for comment and clarification of their dress code policies.
TikToker Kiara Barnett (@celebertey_taylor) alleges that she was fired from Red Lobster for having dyed hair, even though she had the same hair color during her first interview with the food chain.
Barnett recorded her conversation with the new general manager who told her that she would have to dye her hair a “natural color” to continue working there and uploaded it to TikTok.
Barnett argued that her hair color had no bearing on her job performance, and Red Lobster has no policy against colored or dyed hair.
After Barnett used the word “fucking,” the manager asked her to leave.
In a follow-up video, Barnett explained that the old general and district managers had seen her hair color in the past and never mentioned it until the new GM started.
After contacting Red Lobster’s corporate offices, Barnett was informed that the manager was incorrect in firing her for her hair color, and she could be rehired after contacting her district manager.
Barnett found a new job the next day but questioned why the district manager was not aware of the policy on extreme hair colors, and why she had not been informed about it earlier.
According to Zippia, Red Lobster’s dress code does not mention dyed or colored hair.
Viewers’ opinions on the interaction varied, with some supporting Barnett and claiming that the manager was trying to enforce a non-existent policy, while others believed she had handled the situation incorrectly.
