Texas Woman: I Was Fired for Gray Hair

Maybe another reason to dread that first gray hair: A 52-year-old former real estate branch manager says she was fired because she wouldn't dye her hair. She claims her boss ordered her to hide her gray hair and wear "younger fancy suits" when the branch moved to an upscale area. When she refused, she says she was quickly replaced with a woman 10 years younger, reports the Houston Chronicle.

The woman has filed an age discrimination and retaliation suit in federal court, but her former employer says her appearance had nothing to do with the firing—one of its customers allegedly brought it on. "Since the customer refused to work with her any longer, there would be no job left for her," said a company statement, which did not specify the customer's reason. It also noted that the customer still works with three employees at the company who are 64. "I'd hire a 150-year-old individual if they were worthy," says the CEO. (More age discrimination stories.)