new thread
The possibility that one of my "superiors" can come along at any giving moment and demand me to cut my hair is disgusting. The fact that they have unfair authority over a significant part of my personal life (not only physical but psychologically speaking) makes me feel vulnerable and violated beyond belief. It's very depressing. The wrongful establishment that long hair is "unprofessional" still exists today. I need to find a way to shield myself from this ignorance. Hopefully some of you guys on here can help me out.
I keep my locs in cornrows a lot of the time. No one has said anything as far as I'm concerned but I want to be ready for the possibility of anyone above me saying "Cut the hair by x time or don't bother coming back". I feel cornered and don't know what to say or do. I thought about lying (worse case scenario) about being a part of a certain religios group or having a medical condition so that I can get them to back off. Has anyone ever countered this or has any advice or ideas that can come to great use? Thanks!
Ask them why.
If your work is not hindered by your hair then it should not matter. If they respect you as an employee they should at least give you an answer as to why you need to cut it or why they expect you to cut it.
I could read these people like a book. Their answer would be somewhere along the lines of "grooming policy" and that they pay you to look in a "professional, presentable manner".
And no my work is not hindered by my hair, however I could sense that some of the people at the higher end of the company look down on me from the start long hair or not.
I think most everybody here has encountered it. It's one of my favorite things to bitch about.
My personal solutions is to be so good at what I do they don't dare say anything about my hair for fear that I might quit. I also make cracks about it so everyone knows it's not a "taboo" subject. My new nickname at work is Redtail.
If they tell you to cut it, call their bluff. Keep it neat, and of course clean, and tell them, flat out, you won't cut it. Find out exactly what they might do.
There is probably one butt hole that has a problem with it. Find out how others feel about it.
Has anything actually happened yet? You could be jumping the gun in thinking they want you to cut it. I've heard many stories here about somebody cutting his hair for a job then finding out it wouldn't have mattered.
Paul
The fact that you were either hire with long hair or that you had it now and it has not been metioned shows that there is apparently no issue with it. However, if some one one comes and does take up up issue , then the best defense is that It was how you were hired [and never told of a concern] or that it has never been a problem in the workplace [socially and professionally as opposed to physically]. If the company's image is their worry, depending on the job or clientele, there are always the arguemnts that the image of fair hiring, non-discrimination, to say nothing of making longhaired clients feel at ease... if not kindred. I've had one incident like that, were one of the bosses commented on my hair length [back then it was only just passing my shoulders and tied in a small tail] but he noted, in the same breathe, that since I was hire that way he guessed it was okay. In the years that I worked there, my hair got to waist length(braided) and still no problems, but tons of comments and compliments.
In other thoughts, looking "professional" seems to mean looking conservative and/or "simply having short hair and a suit". I look pretty snappy in a suit, even with my hair tied back in a braid. Ask them if they would turn away a client and his business just on those grounds. It's amazing that they would take their business, but no have them doing the business.
If you love it, keep it long,
Eric L.
Here's what I would do. Find out if your company/employer has a rule restricting the length of women's hair. If they don't, I would think you have an instance of gender discrimination because the hair-length restriction applies to men but not women.
The way its worked for me is that, only when I worked at Publix was I required to remove piercings, shave facial hair, and cut the locks. That is because they have a strict policy that you are made aware of before applying. If thats not the case with your current job, then your employees asking you to cut your hair would be a case of gender discrimination.
-Squid
No they have no rule at all against restricting the length of a womans hair. For males however the "grooming policy/dress code" aka discrimination states the following: Hair MUST be cut short and kept neat. No hair past the eyes, ears or collar.
I know one guy was asked to cut his beard but due to his islamic beliefs they tended to back off. I'm trying to find a religious excuse myself. As far as gender discrimination is concerned history shows that the courts do not favor males when it comes to the length of their hair. I hope things have changed by now.