A firefighter is suing for sexual discrimination after being told to "get a proper haircut".
Ian Holdsworth claims he was humiliated by being told he was going to be "made an example of" when instructed to get his ponytail cut.
The firefighter says he was told to get his locks chopped - but said women in the brigade with similar length hair did not face such requests. His claim against Cleveland Fire Authority was detailed at an employment tribunal at Teesside Magistrates' Court yesterday. Mr Holdsworth said he was confronted over the length of his hair by station manager Andrew Witham. But Mr Witham said Mr Holdsworth "was treated with respect".
"I said 'Ian, don't just get a centimetre off, let's not go through this again. Just get a proper haircut'," he said.
Mr Holdsworth, 41, told the tribunal the incident forced him to take time off sick and had left him with depression.
The court heard Mr Holdsworth, who joined the Cleveland service in 2000, had previously been told to get his hair cut in 2007. "I didn't want to rock the boat so I chose to get my hair cut", he said.
But in August last year the issue arose again when Mr Holdsworth was asked to cut his hair so he met health and safety rules. "I asked Station Manager Witham if I could discuss the matter at a more senior level but he refused," said Mr Holdsworth. "I felt singled out and victimised. Others, including female firefighters were allowed to have their hair of a similar length."
Mr Holdsworth, of Hydings Yard, Whitby, said he was told to ensure he had had a haircut by the time he was next on shift. "I did agree to have three inches off my hair", he said.
However, upon Mr Witham's inspection, it was deemed his hair was still too long. "I was made to feel like a schoolchild," said Mr Holdsworth. Mr Witham said that, at first glance, he did not think that Mr Holdsworth had had a hair cut. "Mr Holdsworth still did not comply", he said. "I told him I was removing him from duty and was starting disciplinary action."
Mr Holdsworth then went on to have his hair cut to a "grade two" length and was reinstated the following day.
His solicitor, Helen Hogben, argued there was no issue of health and safety as female firefighters could have long hair as long as it is tied back.
Cleveland Fire Authority contests the claim of sexual discrimination.
