Would You Adhere to a Preschool Clothing Ban?

February 14, 2008

Can you imagine a world stripped of color? Well, that's the tone that a Swedish preschool is taking since one staff member suffers from migraines. Tots are forbidden from wearing multi-colors, stripes and polk-a-dots. And, the wee ones are forced to change into monochrome clothing if they arrive in outfits that do not adhere to the dress code.

An article in The Local explored the issue. It said:

“It’s a pity for the employee and as a result I’ve tried to create an appropriate work environment. The person in question has a right to be able to work,” said pre-school principal Maj Norberg to the Norrländska Socialdemokraten newspaper.

Source

Poll Dress Code

31 Comments

Neural 5 years 13 weeks

If they're gonna go this far, they may as well make them wear uniforms. Would've been less controversial, I would think. But I'd probably just change schools b/c it seems like they might enact weird rules for any old thing.

macgirl 5 years 14 weeks

As a person that suffers migraines- I agree she really needs to find a new line of work. Little surprised by how many people are willing to say that their child's right to wear polka dots is more important than a dress code. Rules are part of every day life, every where you or your child goes. Maybe the response is just to how ridiculous it seems to most that someone with migraines and these sensitivities would work in this environment.

lightfoot513 5 years 14 weeks

work some where else. leave the kids alone.

jennifer76 5 years 14 weeks

I think it's ridiculous not because I don't believe patterns could trigger migraines. But I can't imagine that everything in the preschool is monochrome. Or, have they decorated the school, purchased toys and designed lesson plans that are entirely monochrome...? :?

rgrl 5 years 14 weeks

Maybe that person needs to be the one to switch jobs. Working at a funeral parlor would be a suggestion.

ktownpolarbear 5 years 14 weeks

If the teacher has the issue, then she should either change jobs or find medication or some other method to manage her migraines.

splayer 5 years 14 weeks

Working in a preschool doesn't exactly sound like an ideal job for a person who is prone to migraines. :/

Greggie 5 years 14 weeks

And that's a good point about the noise and activity of preschool causing migraines as well. And wouldn't a good portion of the toys involve bright patterns?

Greggie 5 years 14 weeks

I suffer migraines as well, and brightly colored/patterned clothing can easily trigger it. But I think it's beyond ridiculous to insist other people dress to accomodate my health issue. It's something I have to deal with, not everyone else. But while the reason itself is stupid, I support uniforms in general. I just think preschool's pushing it too young. Kids that age can be hard enough to dress without having a requirement on color/pattern.

Greggie 5 years 14 weeks

I suffer migraines as well, and brightly colored/patterned clothing can easily trigger it. But I think it's beyond ridiculous to insist other people dress to accomodate <i>my</i> health issue. It's something I have to deal with, not everyone else.But while the reason itself is stupid, I support uniforms in general. I just think preschool's pushing it too young. Kids that age can be hard enough to dress without having a requirement on color/pattern.

sweetnshy5282 5 years 14 weeks

doesn't all the noise and chaos of a preschool setting also set off her migranes? this teacher should possibly look into another line of work if her job is causing her health problems. children love to wear colors and patterns. forcing the entire school to dress aa certain way for one teacher seems a little extreme to me. the article didn't say that they had set uniforms, but just that they had to come to school dressed a certain way. I don't know...it just seems a little bizarre to me.

heathero 5 years 14 weeks

I suffer from Severe migraines, and i can understand where the taecher is coming from, Busy Patterns can trigger a Migraine, and for someone who is easily triggeres like this, chances are the Migraines are not just a little thing, some people don't realize that migraines aren't just headaches, They can also be accompanied my nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness and other side effects that can last for sometimes 2 days. supose this reule had not been enforces and a child came in with a busy pattern, for the sake of her own health the teacher would be forces to not as much as look at the child for the whole day. that's not safe or fair to the child.

cbgmick 5 years 14 weeks

I think there is a misunderstanding here .... the actual rule at the school is no stripes or polka dots. The children can wear brightly (solid) colored clothing --- as long as it's not striped or dolka dotted.It's the pattern that is a trigger for the migraines and while not common, it is a legitimate trigger for migraine sufferers. I agree w/ darkbeauty that this rule is a "reasonable accommodation" (here in the US under ADA) in the workplace and really is just a dress code policy. If the dress code is a school rule parents know about entering into the program and they don't like the dress code, perhaps it is they that should find another environment for their child.

cbgmick 5 years 14 weeks

I think there is a misunderstanding here .... the actual rule at the school is no stripes or polka dots. The children can wear brightly (solid) colored clothing --- as long as it's not striped or dolka dotted. It's the pattern that is a trigger for the migraines and while not common, it is a legitimate trigger for migraine sufferers. I agree w/ darkbeauty that this rule is a "reasonable accommodation" (here in the US under ADA) in the workplace and really is just a dress code policy. If the dress code is a school rule parents know about entering into the program and they don't like the dress code, perhaps it is they that should find another environment for their child.

darkbeauty 5 years 14 weeks

This may sound ridiculous, but it's not. My sister gets severe migraines which are caused by certain colors and specific lighting types. I completely understand where the worker is coming from and it would be unfair to have her suffer day in and day out. We create special environments for people with other sorts of disabilities and I don't think it's uncalled for to do this at the preschool for someone with migraines.

snowysakurasky 5 years 14 weeks

ive never suffered from migraines but do sympathize with the teacher, so its not ridiculous as long as she's a great teacher

amber_castaldo 5 years 14 weeks

I think this is a little ridiculous.

litbear221 5 years 14 weeks

I think it's dumb. But, in highschool we had a dress code, any color polo shirt and dress pants, i once wore a polo that was pink and orange striped, and my teacher told me if i wore it again he would give me detention because it was too bright and hurting his head! It's funny! Little kids never match anyways, and most clothes they sell aren't usually a single color!!!!

abqmama 5 years 14 weeks

While I think it is strange that this woman blames the bright colors for her migraines, all this rule really is doing is making the kids wear uniforms. Children all over the world wear uniforms including my own son. If the parents have a problem with their children wearing uniforms, they can change schools. I don't think it is that big of a deal.

letsgetloud21 5 years 14 weeks

so they have to wear a uniform big frickin deal..

Dbtabm 5 years 14 weeks

I have never in my life heard of clothing causing migraines. I'm pretty sure she could get some tinted contacts or something. Also, she works in a preschool, doesn't the never ending noise give her a headache? Sounds like she needs a new job.

AKirstin 5 years 14 weeks

It seems to me the lady should just find herself a different line of work, instead of trying to force the work to suit her.

CoconutPie 5 years 14 weeks

Oh, I love Sweden though. Don't get me wrong. I was just saying that it's the land of contradictions.

CoconutPie 5 years 14 weeks

Swedes always come up with the craziest laws and rules. For example, women are now allowed to go to public pools topless because men can and it was unfair, but those same ladies are fighting to make all those lingerie ads where you can see some skin illegal because it's sexist. Go figure...

jennifer76 5 years 14 weeks

It's a ridiculous rule! But, if I chose to keep my kids at that school, I would adhere to the rule. What would I be teaching them otherwise - that they only need to follow rules they like and agree with!?

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31 Comments

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