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

I have noticed a recent trend that bothers me greatly. I call it beard bashing. I don't mean people without beards belittling beard growers. I mean people WITH beards bashing others for not having them, not having a big enough beard, braiding or styling their beards, only having a mustache, etc, etc.
This kind of behavior is appalling. Why do some people feel they can tell others what they should or shouldn't do with their own bodies? The people doing this would be livid if someone told them they grew their beards wrong or that beards are wrong, But feel that it is acceptable to bash, belittle and insult others for making a similar choice. If you don't like it, don't do it. simple as that, and if you haven't got something nice to say don't say anything at all. 

I go to great lengths to encourage and support people in whatever they endeavor to accomplish. Compliments cost you nothing but can be worth more than gold to others.

I know this post is a bit ranty but I feel very strongly about this. Men who grow beards like to talk about how manly they are, well real men don't need to insult others. They can accept that others are allowed to make their own choices. They should be Gentleman.

Over the years of growing my facial hair I have learned many life lessons from The Beard.

Patience:    This is an obvious one. I have learned to wait for good things to come about in their own time. Some things just can't be rushed.


Tolerance:    Sometimes The Beard gets itchy or very unkempt looking. It can be like a nagging neighbor, pushy boss or that guy that cut you off on the way to work. You have to learn to see things from another point of view.My beard just needs conditioning or a good brushing, its trying to communicate. That naggy neighbor thinks their being helpful, Your boss just wants the company to do good, and that guy driving crazy... Maybe he's heading to the hospital for the birth of a child. 


Perseverance:   Following through, despite setbacks will reward you greatly in life. 

The Joy of making new friends:  Everywhere I go people ask about The Beard. This leads to conversations with people I never would have had a chance to learn about. New friends are awesome! whether the friendship lasts a lifetime or just while you're in the checkout line.

these are just a few of the Lessons from The Beard.

Keep on following for more!