new thread
Hey everyone-
I went in for a job interview today. I've been looking for a part-time position for months now, so this was a big step for me. However, I found out that their store policy requires male workers to keep their hair above their collar. I was informed that I would need to cut my hair if I was hired; upon being asked if I had any problem complying to these standards, I replied without thinking "No sir." But in reality, I really don't want to cut my hair. They'll be calling me within 14 business days if I am hired, so I need to decide now.
There is another spot opened for me at a car shop that, as far as I know, has no hair length requirements for employees. I'm friends with the boss and he was holding the spot for me at one point, though by now he may have given it up already. So yeah, all that to say, what advice would you guys give me? Is it worth keeping my hair a certain length for a high-paying job or would it be better to just look for work elsewhere? I didn't realize just how much my hair meant to me until today; I really do not want to cut it. But jobs are hard to find here and I'm worried I may not get another spot like this again. Anyway, I'm open to suggestions and advice. Thanks.
-Jesh
You have to decide on the job that would most likely provide what you need right now. However, if both opportunites equally provide this to you, go for the one that allows you to keep your hair at its current length.
Best of Luck to you.
I would refuse to cut - any form of employer that thinks he or she needs such controls over their staff is not worth working for.
However I am in a position to do so, you must judge that for your self - but a part time job really is not worth it.
Hi there,
When are people on the North American continent going to drop this collar length hair thing! Perhaps they need to move into a different century!
Cheers,
John.B
Well, I hear that the 18th century wasn't such a bad time for longhairs on the North American continent (LOL)....
Actually, I can think of far worse anti-longhair places on Earth than North America to live, like: North Africa or most countries in the Middle East. I have no intention of ever visiting that part of the world; but, if I ever did, I'd be sure to learn ASAP how to wrap my mane up into a turban!
- Ken
Perhaps we tend to read more negative comments from there any an other part of the world. I'd get your head scalf out then!
Perhaps the OP just needs to wear a turban, and if they complain he can claim he was discriminated against.
Alot can happen in 14 days and I for one wouldn't hold my breath for them nor cut my hair. Ever think of wearing it in a bun? I know of several cases of this in the town I live in.
1. McDonalds (1 with bun.)
2. Winco Foods (1 with bun, 1 without and in a ponytail.)
3. US Post Office (Long Hair with ponytail to waist length!)
At this point the word "if" would mean nothing to me. Besides, they have already seen your long hair. Without the following being said, a bit of a message has been given-out to them, that being:
I am my own person and control of my life and NOT a clone of society. (Invisable words of course..........but the message IS there and people do pick up on it.)
I tried to be as respectful as I could through the entire process and succeeded - but when the hair issue came up, I think the interviewer noticed me stiffen or something, because he asked me closely "... Will this be an issue for you, sir?" To which I obediently responded with the afore mentioned "No sir." But yes, I will certainly not cut my hair unless I am guarenteed the job and if I am, I will ask about being allowed to wear my hair up somehow. Hopefully that will be allowed; I'll wear my hair any way they consider presentable as long as I can keep it.
I also think that the bun idea is good. I've used it successfully in places where I have worked.
Nate
At least your interviewer was upfront with you concerning their policies. If this is once in a lifetime career opportunity, you may want to consider changing your hairstyle. If this is just a temporary, part time retail clerk spot, you likely would want to keep looking.....
Let us know what you decide; and Good Luck
WWT
This is a very good point.
Wow that makes a lot of sense. This is a part-time clerk position - another spot offered was assistant manager but I don't have the time for it - so I guess it might not be worth it in the long haul.
Hi Jeshua,
Nobody, including any of us here at MLHH, can really tell you what is best for you to do re. difficult life-decisions like this, such as the one you are currently facing, --- ultimately, only you and you alone can decide what might be "the nearest right under the circumstances."
Having said the above disclaimer statement, though, here is my own humble personal opinion: it is my strong belief that human beings work their very best whenever they are happiest on ALL levels. This includes working at a job where the employees are allowed to freely be themselves, expressing on the outside who they feel they truly are on the inside...
It sounds to me like you have other promising job options than just this one part-time job that requires you to cut, --- even if it is more $ per hour.
I've done it before: when I was younger, I've cut my hair short for jobs in the past that had rules like that. Now that I'm a crotchity old geezer, I've long ago decided to never cut my hair for a job ever again, --- unless I'm so desparate & destitute as to be temporarily insane... But, then again, people that know me well accuse me of being "nuts", anyway!
My best to you, whatever you do!
- Ken in San Francisco
Thank you for the wise advice Ken. I certainly agree with your philosophy; the ironic thing is I know that I'll be more preoccupied with my hair in the work place if I cut it than if I'm allowed to just let it grow. It'll be constantly weighing in the back of my mind, causing me to wonder if the position was worth it... not that this is a life-death situation but yes, I agree that happy people work the best. Thanks again for the advice!
If you buy Herbal Essence shampoo there's a coupon on the bottle for a free haircut if you had not read the post below.
Good luck on the job front.
Kevin
Haha, would that be the shampoo recommended for long hair?
Hi Jesh,
First of all it burns me up when a haircut policy like that is made to a guy buy I'm sure if it were a gal it never would be mentioned.So what else is new!Not really knowing the details of these job offers or the salaries they pay I'd look elsewhere for an open minded employer.You should have the right to wear your hair long if that's your preference.Unless you go into that interview with your hair smelling to high heavens and flies following you in it shouldn't even be mentioned.I hope you stick to your guns and keep your hair buddy.Let us know how you make out with this if you don't mind.Cheers
Mark
It all depends on how much your hair really means to you. If you love having long hair, and feel like you would be miserable without it, then I'd say to keep your hair.
In this day and age, I can't believe such discrimination is still even allowed. Women in the workplace can have their hair virtually any length and style they choose, but when it comes to men, why are we so often told we have to keep our hair short? I just don't get the reasoning behind it at all.
If hair length isn't an issue for women, it shouldn't be an issue for men either. After all, long hair is completely natural for both sexes. Stuff like this really gets to me as you can see lol.
Yes, it gets to me as well. I even asked him if the same rule applied to women or if I had my hair up if it'd be in compliance with the rules. He said no, the rule only applies to male employees. After that, I would have continued but I didn't feel it'd be right to challenge story policy in an interview. Certainly wouldn't encourage them to hire me if I'm arguing with them over what seems to them common sense when I'm not even employed. But yeah, oh well...
I definitely think I'll feel pretty miserable with shorter hair that has to be continually cut for work reasons. But I need some income, so in the long run money seems more important. Hard call to make.
I have always believed that if one keeps their appearence neat and clean and their manners respectable and act the professional that they are, then the length of someones hair should never be a factor. Having said that, they are the ones that own the business and they are either the ones setting standards or enforcing the companies policys, and that is that.
I will never understand how the length of someones hair can determine his or her ability to perform.
Therefore I personally would never want to be a part of any orginization where hair length was a criteria for employment.
So I would never accept a position where that was required.
Dawn
Why should we have to settle for this PINKO crap where prospective employers judge us by the length of our hair. It should not be about length of hair, it shoulD be about appearence. If you look unkempt with stringy greasy hair flying all over the place, then just maybe the employer might have a case.On the other hand If you are qualifed and being refused employment because you have hair past your collar, then I say SUE SOMEBODY!!! Maybe if we start standing up to these backward thinking people we may be able to effect a change where people will be judged by their abilities and not how long they choose to wear our hair. I say get them to say they are refusing you employment because of their hair length policy, then get a lawyer SUE the pants off em. Why is it that women can wear their hair any length they choose and any style clothes they choose and that is acceptable. We men are held to a different standard in many cases and its BULL S--T.
------------------------------------------------
In addition to sueing, there is another way. Picket that business or company that discriminates against men with long hair. If they suffer enough loss of business, they may be forced to give in to demands to survive in our down economy. Our current economic climate is perfect for this tactic, there couldn't be a better time for this. They will have to accept longhair male employees or likely go belly up. If forced to choose between accepting long hair on male employees or bankruptcy, they will surely give in.
Scott
I agree Scott Sue em, Picket em......As I said
START A REVOLUTION YEAHHHHHH
Go for job that accepts long hair and is more concerned about your ability. The other place discriminates.
It's quite hard to give advice here, since it depends on your priorities and how important this job in this store is to your future plans, compared to your love for your long hair.
However, the car shop looks like a happier place to work compared to the store, irrespective of the length of your hair, even if it were to not pay as much.
In the end only you can decide.
All the best
It's just hair go ahead and cut it... Just kidding. I used to wear mine up underneath a ball cap for work.
I can sympathize.. I work for an engineering firm and they have no policy on hair length for men. I am the only long-hair in the place, however. I often wonder if it will affect my position in the lay-off order, since the economy has tanked and we are experiencing a slowdown!
Take the job, go in the first day with your hair as you want, if they fire you for that, you wont need to work anyway as you can sue them and make money in lump sum anyway. Human rights, same as saying they dont want black employees, think they would get away with that comment?
I personally, have never had a problem getting a job, and I work in the Office industry. If you keep your Hair neatly tied back and clean during interviews etc, then it shouldn't be a problem.