Lately there has been lots of discussion about beards in the workplace online. I dislike discrimination against my bearded brothers. If you have a well groomed beard of any length your employer has no right to make you shave it off.... unless its for safety/health reasons.
OSHA regulations for jobs that require respirators are in place for good reasons. A beard, even a short one can break the seal between the face and mask causing dangerous chemicals to be breathed in. If you work in an industry that requires masks, Please follow the regulations or look for a new job. Your beard is not worth your life.
Some jobs require beard and hair nets, like food service industry. some in this industry make even restrict beards altogether. Again this is for health and safety. Do you want to eat someones hair in your lunch? Didn't think so and no one wants to eat your hair either. If you work in the food service industry and your being asked to shave, ask about wearing a beard net. Grainger supply sells them.
If your company is against beards for any reason other than Health/Safety feel free to debate their policies. Debate, not argue.. There is a difference. Ask them why they have the policy. You can research some facts and present a mature, logical case as to why they should change the policy. show them other companies in the same industry that do not have facial hair restrictions. Point out the Boston Red Sox!
if all this fails, look into changing jobs.
I am fortunate in working for a company that does not have facial hair policies. I work as a delivery driver at a large Home improvement store.(I don't wear Orange!!) I get compliments about my beard all the time. My previous employers also had no restrictions ( I was previously in the party rental industry). I've never seen any sign in my decade plus of bearding that my facial hair gave people any negative feelings regarding my ability to do my job. Its an old fashioned belief that Beards=lazy,untrustworthy,dirty etc etc. Many of us work hard to continue to disprove silly myths like that. Beards teach Patience and goal setting and these are invaluable traits for an employee to have!.
Enough ranting for today, Hope you enjoyed!
Here's my Beard quote for this week:
A man without a beard is like bread without a crust.
--Lithuanian Proverb
OSHA regulations for jobs that require respirators are in place for good reasons. A beard, even a short one can break the seal between the face and mask causing dangerous chemicals to be breathed in. If you work in an industry that requires masks, Please follow the regulations or look for a new job. Your beard is not worth your life.
Some jobs require beard and hair nets, like food service industry. some in this industry make even restrict beards altogether. Again this is for health and safety. Do you want to eat someones hair in your lunch? Didn't think so and no one wants to eat your hair either. If you work in the food service industry and your being asked to shave, ask about wearing a beard net. Grainger supply sells them.
If your company is against beards for any reason other than Health/Safety feel free to debate their policies. Debate, not argue.. There is a difference. Ask them why they have the policy. You can research some facts and present a mature, logical case as to why they should change the policy. show them other companies in the same industry that do not have facial hair restrictions. Point out the Boston Red Sox!
if all this fails, look into changing jobs.
I am fortunate in working for a company that does not have facial hair policies. I work as a delivery driver at a large Home improvement store.(I don't wear Orange!!) I get compliments about my beard all the time. My previous employers also had no restrictions ( I was previously in the party rental industry). I've never seen any sign in my decade plus of bearding that my facial hair gave people any negative feelings regarding my ability to do my job. Its an old fashioned belief that Beards=lazy,untrustworthy,dirty etc etc. Many of us work hard to continue to disprove silly myths like that. Beards teach Patience and goal setting and these are invaluable traits for an employee to have!.
Enough ranting for today, Hope you enjoyed!
Here's my Beard quote for this week:
A man without a beard is like bread without a crust.
--Lithuanian Proverb
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