new thread
Hey guys!
I'm new here...obviously. I found this site because I just got back from an interview where I was told straight out that I would have to cut my hair for the job. I've heard this a million times, but now I'm really pissed!
I began surfing the net to find any information on how to fight this. I found Bill Choisser's page, which I thought was really cool, and then I found this forum.
I had no idea there was an actual forum for guys like us! This makes me feel much better, although I'm still pissed off about the job.
Have any of you ever successfully fought a descrimination case like this, or heard of anyone doing it? It's something I've thought about doing for years, but never got mad enough to start until now. Any advise will help...thanks!
Glad to be aboard,
Raven
Short haired man: "Why don't you get a haircut?!"
Long haired man: "I'm afraid I would look like you."
Now that is a very good one. I have to remember that one, i will surely use it. Thanks Raven Storm (:
Unfortunately i can't help you about the other subject, your job interview, i can only hope that when my hair gets longer i won't have to go through all that... job descrimination because of long hair $#$%$£§€@ I thought we were on the XXI century. Damn
Good Luck
Unless there is a BFOQ (bona fide occupational qualification) for not having long hair, it would be difficult for the prospective employer to hold up his/her decision in court.
If there is a safety issue (such as a manufacturing job), that's one thing, but we have several guys in our plants that braid or ponytail (with multiple wraps) and then tuck it down the back of their shirts if necessary.
If it is a sales position (where long hair might offend some customers) then there may be some element of a BFOQ. I once had to shave my mustache and beard when I worked for one company because some of their customers were in an area where the culture was against facial hair.
But if it is for an office-type position, it would be very difficult to prove hair length as a BFOQ. If someone gave me that line, I would ask him/her why they have the requirement. If it is not "performance oriented" and you are able to demonstrate you have the talent and motivation above the other candidates, the loss is theirs.
Confucius wrote that you must be true to your nature.
If you are not true to your own nature, you become a phony.
I have seen long haired men drive modern street cars, teach at Universities, and work at many jobs.
Just hang in there and you will find a great job where you can let your hair grow as long as you wish.
Perhaps, you can find a job as a musician in the computer game industry? I have seen opening for such work in http://www.gamasutra.com
Just an idea.
Multi HMX-12
I once read a court case of a woman who would not wear her false teeth because they hurt. When the employer insisted she wear them, the refused and was fired. They were going to take it to court on the basis that the ADA states that the definition of a disability is that people have to regard the affliction as a disability. The employer clearly regarded it as such. I have the papers somewhere on it. The funny thing is, she was a cleaning lady in a hotel.
One snag is that I heard on Rush Limbaugh that the courts have ruled that you do not have a disability under the ADA if the affliction can be readily repaired. The absurdity of this decision is obvious.
One other case I am aware of is the Blockbuster case. They decided that they were fired for not complying with company policy and not because they were discriminated against for being males with long hair.
I wrote to a lawyer once and he told me that Missouri’s employment law is an “at-will” (you can come in and quit any ol’ time same as they can fire you any ol’ time) system and they would be hard pressed to fire you for such a thing. I’m not sure if this applies to a case like yours because of location and not even being hired yet.
My brother was at an interview and when they questioned him about it he responded “It is part of my religion” Since it is against the law to ask you what your religion is in a job interview, they pressed no further and ended up hiring him. Imagine my response to this after having cut all of mine off to acquire employment. Sigh
Nest Egg Studios is looking for musicians!
Here is what they are looking for,
Lead Assistant Programmer:
Lead Coders Director:
Lead Networker Director:
Program Team workers:
Assistant Graphics Director:
Graphics/Concept Art Team workers:
Lead Game Soundtrack Director:
Lead Game Music/Soundtrack Co- Producer:
Assistant Manager Sound Tech:
Musicians/Vocalist Team Workers:
Senior Lead Assistant Web Manager:
Junior Assistant Web Developer:
Web Development Team Workers:
Creative Concepts/ World Building Team Members:
Assistant Research Team Members:
Assistant(s) to Co-owners:
Nest Egg is at:
http://nesteggstudios.mygamesite.net:8080
Just attempting to he helpful,
Multi HMX-12
I have the answer to your dilemma. i come from a family of lawyers and we are winning civil lawsuits regarding hair discrimination left and right. numbern one: what religion did that longhair samson belong to? it was the nazarittes.the men were required to grow their hair long. the next time you go for a job interview or if you are employed now, make it clear at some point that you practice the principles of the nazaritte religion, one of which is that you must have long hair.whether or not u actually belong to that group is not relevant ,because the us supreme court has ruled you need only adhere to a religous groups principles to be of that religion.next, if you are subjected to harrassment which includes continuous verbal abuse (inyour case regarding having long hair which is your religous right),or if your employment is terminated,it is A DIRECT VIOLATION OF FEDERAL AND IN CALIFORNIA STATE LAW.you may then sue for damages under the federalcivil rights act or state law ,as long as you dont live in some redneck state.if the nazaritte religion doesnt appeal to you,say you belong to haireligion(new Website), or hey,lets start our own religion,CHURCH OF LONGHAIRED AMERICAN MEN.(use the law,sue your oppressors!!)