The Ritz apologizes after applicant was given a grooming policy banning ‘spiky or afro-style’ hair
- Jurelle Jules withdrew the application after receiving the document by mistake
- He later received a call that the hotel’s “black barber” had “approved” the policy
The Ritz has apologized after an applicant was mistakenly given a policy document detailing how “spiky or afro-styled” hair was banned at the prestigious hotel.
Jurelle Jules appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain today to explain how he made it through the final round of the application process to become a dinner reservations supervisor at the five-star hotel.
But he withdrew his interest in the job after being left “shocked and disappointed” when he was wrongly sent a personnel policy.
According to the policy, “unusual hairstyles” such as “spiky hair, afro style” were not allowed in the five-star hotel.
He contacted his MP about the matter, only to receive a call from The Ritz saying that ‘their black hairdresser had previously reviewed and approved these documents’.
Jurelle Jules appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain today to detail how he accidentally received a policy paper detailing how ‘spiky or afro-like’ hair was banned at The Ritz
The Ritz later said the document was sent to him in error, adding that it is “committed to a policy of inclusiveness and equality.”
Speaking to GMB presenters Richard Madeley and Ranvir Singh, Jurelle said: ‘It was more the language used, the language could have been non-discriminatory, they could have said hair length and I would have been quite ok with it.
“But the problem is I think to myself that I have daughters and they now have to be approached with jobs that discriminate against them before they are even able to get into these roles.”
He added: “My main concern was that this was done in 2021, and I feel like the language is being used for something from the 1970s, something my grandparents had to deal with when they came here.
“I felt like most of the companies I’ve been to didn’t have policies like that and to see something like that was quite surprising, it was upsetting to me as well.”
During the discussion, Madeley said he didn’t understand why “any kind of organization” would object to a particular hairstyle.
The Ritz later said the document was sent to him in error, adding that it is “committed to a policy of inclusiveness and equality”
Speaking to GMB presenters Richard Madeley and Ranvir Singh (left), Jurelle said he had withdrawn his interest in the job after being left ‘shocked and disappointed’
Journalist and TV presenter Marverine Cole also took part in the discussion, detailing her experience changing her hairstyle for the broadcast.
Madeley asked, “Nobody ever told you to do this, but you felt compelled to style your hair!” Why do you think it’s happening?
Ms. Cole went on to explain how she felt pressured by a lack of afro hairstyles on TV.
A spokesperson for The Ritz said: ‘Upon investigation we have discovered that unfortunately an outdated and incorrect Grooming Policy has been sent to Mr Jules.
“We have been in direct contact with Mr Jules to offer our unreserved apologies for this mistake and are pleased that he has agreed to reschedule his interview with us. We look forward to meeting Mr Jules in person at the hotel later this week.
“The Ritz London will not tolerate any form of discrimination and is committed to a policy of inclusiveness and equality throughout the hotel.”
