new thread
Hey everyone, its been about 2 weeks since I was last on this site. I've felt so understood with the threads i've posted on mlhh, so i wanted to share something with you all. This past friday, I was at work (I work at McDonalds...im 16years old by the way) wearing an employee hat like im supposed to, and with my hair tied back in a pony tail. I've been wearing it like this for about 3 months (im nearing 13 months of growing)..and it hasnt really been a problem. Before my hair was long enough to pull back for work, i would just wear it under my hat and let it flow in the back. So as i said, when it got long enough i pulled it back and wasnt told anything by my managers. However this past friday one of the "big bosses" was there, and he had a word with me in private. I was just shocked and actually felt disrespected when he rudely asked me with an angry expression on his face "what's the deal with the hair?"..now keep in mind that I almost NEVER see this guy, so it's not like he tells me something about my hair everytime he sees it..and i've been trying my best to keep my hair neat and controlled by tying it back. I explained this to him, and I know that company policies say no hair below the collar..mine is just at about the collar....but you know, obviously there are female employees there who have their hair tied back well below the collar..I didnt point that out to him because it seemed to me he clearly thought long hair was a female thing...so he gave me 2 options. Either cut it or put it under my cap...i unwillingly tucked it tight under my hat, but you know after a while it starts to hurt....but i just dont know what to do next time i go to work or tell him next time i see him..should i just tell him what i think straightforward?..I dont wanna lose my job, but I also want to be equally treated because it feels like just because im a male, he has to give me troubles about my hair...i just need advice...thanks and sorry for the longgggg post...i just had to let it out and i think this is where i would get the most support from....
Thanks a ton,
Chris
Sorry to hear that one of the "BIG BOSSES" got on your case. Oh, how profound his words must have sounded...........not!
In the town I live in, the McDonalds has had employed for at least a year a very nice your man with hair almost to his waist. And, he is the most polite there of all. But apparently he is getting around whatever the rules are without a problem. Perhaps this may be something for you to think of doing as this is what this young man does. While working, he has his hair in a bun and it actually looks as if he doesn't really have all that much hair at all.
Hope this helps as an idea to consider.
I agree with Justin: A bun can really hide one's hair length. You could even be proactive beyond that by asking for a hair net that you would wear over the bun and under the cap. This way, even a random quality check by the 'big bosses' would be in-line with food standards and you would look neat and clean without the discomfort of shoving a ponytail under a cap.
Another alternative could be to put your hat on over your hair (and, perhaps the hair net) in such a way as to trap all the hair in the hat (maybe hang your head upside down and scoop all the hair into the hat as you place it?). It would be more comfortable than sticking a ponytail into the cap and would effectively hide the length. This option wouldn't last more than a few months, though, as you hair will be getting longer and longer.
A final bit of advice:
In all you do at work, strive ever to be beyond reproach.
Big Bosses will not blow much steam at you if you've been the crew member of the month two of the past three months, if you are known for arriving 15 minutes early for every shift, with a spotless uniform and an enthusiastic and helpful demeanor. Let the quality of your character overshadow any negative perception that may be attached to long hair on men and the rest will take care of itself.
I wish you all the best. Keep us posted.
Shawn (Mr.Crow)
and thanks to Mr. Crow for jogging my memory.
This fellow DOES wear a net, but I am quite sure it only covers the bun. In any event it is absolutely amazing to myself to see how much hair can seem to vanish when worn as a bun which really looks so small.
Thanks for the advice, I'm going to try all these things and see which one is best for me...And yea I agree with what you say about the boss not being on my case if I'm an excellent employee..but see that's the thing..not to sound conceded, but I'm a great employee..i always arrive early to my shifts and cover for other employees when they need it...althought the mcdonalds i work in in particular doesnt have employee of the month, i still strive to do the best. And that is why all the managers(about 6 or 7, if not more)who I see when i work different shifts, dont even mention my hair ....and a humorous male manager actually jokes around about it, but doesn't tell me to cut it. But the other boss who saw the me the other day, like i said, is hardly never there so doesn't know me at all as an employee, which is quite unfortunate =[
thanks for the advice. I'm going to start experimenting in putting my hair in a bun, since i've never done it before and am not completely sure how 2 do it.
I'm sure there are a few ways to wear a bun.. I always start with a pony tail and then twist my hair (wind it up) until it's tight, then wrap it around the base (where the band is) into a bun and secure it with another band.. I don't know if I expained where it made any sense to ya' but hopefully you get the idea and figure it out! Good luck with all ;-)
Tom
Here is what I think.
Atleast the boss/manager gave you the option of putting it under a cap. He didn't say 'cut it or you're fired'. So if I were you, I'd be happy with that.
Secondly, being that you're working with food, I do see where hair can be a health concern (hair gets in food). Yes, I know that girls with long hair also work there. I just think that girls aren't as, maybe sloppy, as guys are, and maybe that's why guys get more beef about it? I mean, there is a reason why girls take such a long time 'getting ready' all the time :) They want everything to be perfect.
I can't speak for all, but I know how much hair I tend to leave around the house, and how often my mom brings it up.
Which is why, I never want to work in the food industry :)
Aside from the hair issue, I just don't like dealing with people face to face as well. LOL
What you say is true. It could have been a lot worse had he threatened me with my employment...the leaving-hair-around-the-house thing is also true...thanks for making me see this situation through a different perspective!
Hi Chris,
I like the replies you've already gotten below, and agree whole-heartedly with those remarks; but, also want to mention the following...
To me, any option an employer gives me about my hair, EXCEPT cutting it, is something I'm pretty much willing to try.... If they insist on me wearing my hair in a bun or braid, I'll do it. If they ask me to cover my hair with a hat or bandana, hey, no problem. If they want me to wear pretty pink ribbons, I'll think they're NUTS; but, I'd even be willing to do that, too!! After all, it's only for 8 hours, --- and then when I leave work, I can still take out my hairtie, shake it loose, and then feel like myself again...
I manage and cook at a small Kitchen in a small private nursing home in Northern California. I also do some gardening work in private client's yards in San Francisco; but, that has become more and more part-time. In both cases, though, I usually tie my hair back into a bun. Food Service rules and regulations, though, insist that I also wear a hair-net while working in the kitchen. It's one of the ugliest-looking things I've ever worn on my head; but, as long as nobody ever tells me I have to cut my hair, I'm happy as a clam in New England Clam Chowder (and I make a mean chowder, BTW - lol)!!
I love my job; but, I'd quit in a flash if I was ever told I had to cut my hair in order to stay employed there.
I think what Mr. Crow said was right-on. If you do excellent work, they'd be idiots to make such a silly thing as one's hair-length an issue! Just have your hair look as neat & tidy as possible, and never dangling in food or loose at all while at work. The same rules for men should also apply to women. Here in the state of California, as I recall, it's against state law to discriminate against men with long hair, --- only jobs that consider ANYBODY's long hair (regardless of whether male or female) an actual *danger* (example: arborists who trim or cut down trees, having chain saws in their hands all day long while climbing in those trees) are able to get away with the "No Long Hair" rule.
And, by the way, I think you handled yourself extremely well when dealing with that big-shot boss who visited and spoke to you.... Hats off to you!!
- Ken in San Francisco
thanks!..i always try to be respectful when speaking to someone older than me, let alone an employer! I can obviously see how hair can be a health concern at McDonald's and actually see the options my boss gave the way you do now. As a mater of fact, now that I think back to it, it seemed like he didn't want to see me get fired over that by not threatening me with "your job's on the line." It was interesting what you told me about the different jobs (including your own) and how they handle long hair. It's because you see, McDonald's is my first job, and I am actually clueless as to what policies other jobs have. Perhaps I'll look into it.. But once again thanks for the response.
P.S. Keep making that mean clam chowder! lol
Burger King hiring?
Ha-ha...maybe I should find out..it's something to consider
My nephew worked at McDonalds for three years and had long hair
with no issues until he put dreads in. Things were still fine until that one asst manager decided they must go or he must go. In the end he went. McDonalds is a sweat shop they don't care and to them people are a dime a dozen. My advice keep the hair under your hat as long as you can bare it and look for other jobs.
I never eat at McDonalds as I hate the taste and often refer to
it as Soylent Green. Ever see the docufilm "Super Size Me"
Hilarious.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390521/
Kevin
aww, it's sad to see that he was put in that situation, but hope he found a job that is more lenient towards his choice of hairstyle. I agree that Mcdonalds are "sweat shops" and hope to get another job.....
and i've heard of "Super Size Me" (I actually saw the trailer today after reading this) and want to see it now...but anyways thanks for the response and best of luck growing
Chris, I've never seen Super Size Me, although I think everyone knows about it, but I have seen Soylent Green. Part of the plot involves making people into food, but nobody knows what it's made from. I would certainly hope there was no "long pig" on McDonalds' menu!
I work at the burger king and am currently growing my hair out (almost 8 months) and haven't heard anything about it yet.
But I'm a very good employee and work there for 5 years now so maybe that helps. When they don't except it I will look for another job where they don't mind.
yea, at 8 months they didnt tell me anything either...but its different considering u've been at BK for so long...but i might take the same route and look for another job, not because i want to run away from my problems, but because I just want to try something new..and out of curiosity, where is your hair upto when you wear it to work?
Until now I wear it loose, but the summer will come and it will be very hot in the kitchen so I will put it in a ponytail then.
Fortunately I work at the counter most of the time, so I don't have the heat problem then.
I will go away there anyway when I finished my study, so it doesn't bother me when I quit there it's their loss.
Working at McDonald's is only temporary.
My advice is to get a nice 4-year degree and you could earn a lot more than that McDonald's manager.
You'll have long hair and the last laugh.
Good luck!
Ed
yea i know. I actually began working at mcdonald's because it was the only place that would hire at 15...now that i just turned 16,and am of legal working age in NJ im beginning to think of applying to other places..but im definatley doing this to just make some money and like you say, hope to get a good degree and end up earning a lot more. Thanks for your supportive words, it really means a lot!
I'm also 16, and used to work at McDonalds. anyways during the time i worked there my hair was about halfway down my shoulder blades. I always tucked my hair under my hat without being asked, although i didn't start doing it a few days after i started because i seemed to be getting some nasty looks from old men. So basically the current situation your in, it has been coming for a while and now there are only two options to get out of it. Either cut your hair (not recommened...this was more a joke than anything) or quit McDonalds and find somewhere better to work. After McDonalds i managed to find a nice "Mom and Pop" sandwich shop to work at. I get $12/hour, treated like a human being, very little nasty stares and all the free sandwiches want :p.