new thread
So I just googled men with long hair because of an incident today that the kind of offended me. I’ve always loved hair long hair I’ve had most of my life and I’ve been advised many times both directly and indirectly that it could be a detriment in finding a job even though it should not be. Anyway I just got a new job got through the interview and everything. Taking the next step in my path to success in the accounting field. Landed the job perfectly on merit. Today I went into sign the paperwork and the boss said “I do want to say that we are a professional environment I want to ask about your hair.“ I said “do you have an issue with it?” He said I don’t have an issue but we do want to be professional I don’t know if you want to cut it. I don’t know how attached you are to it.” I responded “very” and he said “oh then I won’t bother you about it.” So I’m glad that part is behind us but it still bothers me that this is the year 2020 and people still make an issue of men with long hair. So I just needed to rant about that and I found this board.
I've been working in the field for 34 years now at the same company and have long hair. The boss (who died a few years ago at the age of 97) never complained about it. Also when i come in to work i'm usually wearing cut off shorts, jeans, or overalls. No complaints ever.
Don't be too rattled by his comments; it sounds like he was just trying to differentiate between someone who has long hair "just by accident" because they've been lazy, couldn't afford a cut, etc, and someone such as yourself who has intentionally grown his hair long and intends to keep it long but also clean and well-kept. Obviously the latter is very professional and he wisely isn't making an issue of it.
When it comes to jobs i've noticed more guys with long hair in various jobs more so than in past years. It's like employers are becoming more tolerant of long hair on guys. (Maybe because guys with long hair tend to be older and have more experience?)
I would not cut my hair for a job.
Darrin
I would never cut my hair for a job. Just all example of an employer trying to control you.
Darrin
You can always keep your hair looking professional in a ponytail or braid !!! Your boss shouldn't be concerned, or just ask any female coworkers on tips how to make it look pro.
Tes
Here in California, it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of hair length. If a woman can have long hair, then so should a man be allowed to have it long.
There are certain jobs that, because of a safety issue (being a tree trimmer using a chain saw, for example), an employer can insist on short hair for BOTH men and women being hired. But, those types of situations are rare.
Back in the 1970s here in America (when I was a young "stud muffin", rather than the fat old geezer I am now - LOL!), many MANY jobs had stricter "dress codes" -- including how long a man's hair was allowed to be while working at that job (especially in the Midwestern USA, where I'm originally from). There has been a lot of social progress since then; but, there are occasionally places that think more conservatively.
My suggestion:
wear your hair in a neat & tidy manner (tied back away from your face, for example) -- in a ponytail, braid, bun, or segmented tail... just not loose while on-duty (unless not long enough yet to be able to tie back).
Where I draw the line is CUTTING my hair -- if that's seriously what will be required in order to work at that particular company, then that's NOT the right job for me (unless I'm extremely desperate for money)!!!!
- Ken in San Francisco
