‘It’s unacceptable’: Model claims she was fired for having her period
A 27-year-old model has claimed she was fired from a job with Hyundai for being on her period.
Last month, Rachel Rickert was working at the New York International Auto Show, greeting guest at the Hyundai stand when she was told she was not allowed to take a toilet break for three hours.
Now, we all know the struggle of not having access to a bathroom during that time of the month, but actually being told you can not go is the stuff of nightmares.
As a result of this odd rule, Rachel wasn't able to remove her tampon and so she bled through her clothes – a black dress and back tights.
She told her talent rep, Erika Seifred, that she would need a fresh set of clothes and time to clean up, but according to her US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint, Hyundai suggested the model go home because of her ''period situation''.
Rachel protested as she was being paid by the hour and wanted to earn her full amount, but was told she would not be able to carry on working.
Two days later, the talent rep called Rachel to inform her that she would not be returning to her role.
According to the EEOC complaint, ''Hyundai heard about Ms. Rickert having her menstrual cycle and they didn't want Ms. Rickert representing the company anymore.”
Speaking to the New York Post, the model admitted it was a huge shock.
“She called me and pretty much told me that Hyundai didn't want me representing them anymore at the show because they got word of my menstrual cycle,”
“You’re not a robot. You have to use the bathroom especially when you’re on your period. They just act like we’re not human. I’m not going to be ashamed or shamed of having my period,” she said.
Rachel claims she has not been paid at all for the work that she did and is outraged at how the company handled the situation.
“I’m not going to let someone tell me I can’t have my period when I work. It’s unacceptable.”
Hear, hear!