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I've always having problems let my hair grows and keep my job. I've been fascinated about men's long hair since I was a little boy. My parents never alowed to have it long, and I grew up very frustrated about that.
Now, since I moved from my parents home, I'm trying to grow it again but always have the same problem, "long haired guys are trouble makers". I've got permission now to grow my hair, and I'm glad my boss understood how important it is for me.
C'mon guys, we are almost in the 21st. century and we must do something about those kind of things. Why people don't simply change the rules? Why we don't make them understand we are normal guys? Why is it acceptable for girls and not for men?
Well, let me know about your thoughts and opinions.
Unfortunately, we can't just simply "change the rules" without changing the hearts of minds of those that make "the rules."
Businesses exist to make a profit, and even some very liberal bosses look askance at those who don't conform to societal expectations of appearance for fear that clients or customers will react negatively. In these cases, discrimination against long-haired males is still wrong, but certainly understandable.
However, there is no excuse for such attitudes towards those who work "behind the scenes." Many, many jobs do not involve any contact with John Q. Public, yet "dress codes" are still in evidence. This is ludicrous.
All one can do is keep searching and knocking on doors until they find that rare employer who looks at the quality of a person's work and not at the wrapper they come packaged in. Beyond that, I have no clue as to what can be done to change society's attitudes as a whole, except to set a good example and change people one at a time. It's a very slow process.
J.J.
[snip]
If they allow women to have long hair, you can sue the employer for
sex discrimination. Cases back in the early '70s against school boards were one by student and parents against "short hair for boys" rules. Now, if women can go bare-chested in NY state, I think the time is ripe to win a sex disrimination suit regarding long hair on men.
- Paul
The reality is that most such suits do not get resolved in favor of the long-haired guy. Courts have repeatedly upheld the right of a school, employer, or other organization to set a dress code based on societal norms, and that includes short hair on men. If there truly were legal precedent for this being "sex discrimination," then transgendered people (like myself) would have no problem finding an accepting employer who will let us work in the clothing of our chosen gender role. but this is not the case. Neither TGs, nor long-haired men, are officially "protected" categories when it comes to civil rights. It will take many, many, many lawsuits and a change in thinking amongst most of the judiciary for these things to happen. And most of us do not have the money or gumption to bring legal action. Nor do most people want to fight such a losing battle at the risk of their jobs and bank accounts for the sake of future generations.
Harsh, but true.
J.J.
Wrong, at least for schools. I've done the legal research. I'm not going to argue with you. If you don't believe it, whatever.
It's not about "protected classes"; it's about sex discrimination.
No, it will take a the win of a single lawsuit at an appelate division to set the necessary legal precedent, at least for the state it was held in.
You might find a zealous civil right attorney to do it for nothing (ACLU).
- Paul
Walter,
I know where you are coming from. I was given the big choice last week. My job or hit the road. Well...I am working on a new "longhair" friendly job. All i can say is...try another employer. It may be hard but ...hey man....I'm in the same boat :-)
Sean
I agree with JJ. Unfortunately, I will be judged by people who look at me and / or my hair just as I look at people and make my own judgments (right or wrong, we all do it). Personally, I am a very big fan of long hair on guys. I think it looks great, and have had my hair shoulder length at various times and stages in my life. Currently, I own a small business, and we consult to a very conservative lot (attorneys, bankers, physicians, etc.). Since I am trying to "grow a business" I can not afford to "grow my hair" at this point in time. It doesn't matter that I know I'm a good person. It doesn't matter that I know the quality of my work is "top shelf". I need the customer to make those decisions and then pay me for my services. If my customers or potential customers look at me and make a judgment based on my hair length, then I won't even get the opportunity to "show my stuff". Is it wrong? Yes, it's a crock. But does it happen? Yes, every day (and we all do it too). Some day I will have LONG hair--I hope to my waist. However, in the meantime, if I want to buy groceries, pay the rent and put gasoline in my car I need to play by the rules of those people who are in a position to pay me for my services -- my clients. And the truth is I made the decision regarding which path I would travel. I'm in a field where long hair is not compatible with business (my business). I chose the field so I have to play by the rules. IF what I really wanted was to have hair to my waist, then I should have chosen a field that was "friendly" to that choice. [I didn't, plain and simple]. Can we /should we break down barriers - sure. Can we change another person's view of the world / their value system - that's pretty tough. In the meantime, those of you who wear your hair long and are supported (or even tolerated) GOOD FOR YOU.
Sometimes it's not the customers who have the problem. When I was still living as a male, I worked for an inventory service for over 10 years. I had grown my hair to shoulder-length (this was when I still HAD hair -- thank God for wigs!) and there were several males working in our district with longer hair than mine. All of a sudden, we got a new regional V.P. -- an old guy who was, to put it succinctly, a "fuddy duddy." He was HORRIFIED to see long hair and earrings on guys, and for the first time EVER, we were given a mandatory dress code -- hair cut (not pinned) above the collar for men or walk out the door. I made some inquiries and found that in all the years this office had been in business, there had NEVER been a client that complained about the length of hair on the auditors who came to their store. We were forced to conform, not because we were negatively affecting business, but because this old fart just couldn't tolerate them hippie freaks. (One guy in out district had super-long hair -- kinda looked like Ted Nugent -- and he was one of our top three auditors. His production didn't matter a bit -- he was told cut it or walk. So he walked. It was the company's loss, not his...)
J.J.
Hi Walter. Though I won't venture to try and answer the questions; why its more acceptable for women to have long hair and not men, and why they don't change the rules, I will give some opinions and possible job hunting strategies. First of all, I think that if any of us are looking for a job, it would be ideal to find a long-hair friendly employer. As someone pointed out earlier, some employers are looking for that kind of diversity. That does vary from one case to the next. Anyway, try to feel the situation out. Make contact and find out how they feel about long-haired guys. Unless we're sure, I think it sound advice to cut one's locks for the interview. It does grow back, and think of the hassel (dealing with long hair) forgone for the first six months. I myself have the great fortune of having a job that I like and in the field in which I was trained, it pays well, and long hair is tolerated. However, I do feel that I'm required to work a little harder, be more imaginative, and try harder to get along with others, than my conformist coworkers. (Good for everybody involved.) I have to confess though (with a little shame) that I got my locks shorn for the interview. But on a positive note, at this point my hair (at shoulder blade length) and my pride have recovered.