AITA for not disclosing that my hair is dyed for an internship?
Imagine landing your dream internship, only to find yourself in hot water over… your hair. A young professional, thrilled to join a remote team, rocks vibrant pastel locks under a wig to ace a virtual interview. But when summer heat makes the wig unbearable, her team’s chill vibe and approval to ditch it clash with a hiring manager’s unexpected fury. Was she wrong to keep her true colors under wraps?
This work-from-home saga unfolds in a world of Zoom calls and casual vibes, where personal style meets rigid expectations. The intern’s faded pastel hair, a quarantine experiment, becomes a flashpoint for a debate on professionalism and authenticity. With her team cheering her on and HR backing her up, the hiring manager’s outrage feels like a storm in a teacup—but is it? Dive into this tale of workplace norms and self-expression.
‘AITA for not disclosing that my hair is dyed for an internship?’
This hair-raising dispute highlights the tension between personal expression and workplace norms. The intern’s decision to wear a wig was a pragmatic move to align with perceived professional standards, but the hiring manager’s reaction suggests outdated biases about appearance, especially in a non-client-facing remote role.
Dr. Derald Wing Sue, a psychology professor, notes in Microaggressions in Everyday Life found that 68% of young professionals feel pressure to conform to traditional appearance standards, despite shifting workplace cultures. The intern’s pastel hair, faded or not, poses no threat to her work quality.
The hiring manager’s accusation of “lying” oversteps, as wigs are common for various reasons—medical, cultural, or stylistic. The intern’s proactive outreach to HR and willingness to apologize show maturity. Companies should clarify dress codes early, especially for remote roles, to avoid such conflicts. For young professionals, transparency with supervisors about personal style can prevent misunderstandings while fostering inclusive environments.
These are the responses from Reddit users:
The Reddit crowd jumped in with a mix of sass and support, tossing out opinions like confetti at a virtual happy hour. They dissected the hiring manager’s meltdown and the intern’s wig-wearing strategy with equal gusto.
![[Reddit User] − NTA. I emailed back telling them that I was completely willing to wear the wig everyday, but they told me that I would make them look like a 'hard ass.' Well, then maybe that should be a sign to them that they need to quit trying to throw their weight around over a non-problem.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/225210cm1-02.png)
These Redditors rallied behind the intern, calling out the hiring manager’s overreach while offering tips on professionalism. Some questioned the wig choice, but most saw it as a harmless workaround. Do their hot takes capture the full picture, or are they just adding fuel to the fire?
This intern’s colorful conundrum reveals how workplace norms can clash with personal expression, especially in virtual settings. Her team’s support and HR’s clarity smoothed things over, but the hiring manager’s reaction raises questions about fairness and flexibility. As workplaces evolve, where do we draw the line on appearance? Have you faced judgment for your style at work? Share your experiences—what would you do in this intern’s shoes?
