new thread
I use to work at a place that didn't mind if you had long hair, but to cutting back in staff I don't work their anymore.
people told me i needed to cut my hair to get a job because noone would hire me,so i did.
Curtenly i work at place that you have to work someone where where they say my hair cant touch my shoulders...someone told me to tell them is it part of my religion to have long hair and they will leave you alone.
but what religion say men should have long hair i gotta show they something
It would be dishonest and that would play into their prejudice. Be yourself and be honest. Ask if there is a written policy on dress codes. If there is, challenge it.
I agree with Mark's suggestion. Challenge it with questioning the policy, if one does exist. Focus on the issue and do not argue with your emotions. Look to settle with compromises if needed for a win-win outcome.
for the employer to learn about the man's character...
than to judge him by the length of his hair...
Hi Mark - just been checking out your site (very informative and helpful).
I was just looking at your essay relating to long hair and discrimination and was wondering where you stand with your employer on the issue at the minute?
Are you still fighting or has it been settled? Do/ did you find your co-workers supportive or indifferent to the matter?
It got settled. When I started pointing out case law - and that they weren't compliant with any of the conditions (written policy, clearly communicated, evenly applied) they started to back off. When I pointed out that I would cheerfully invoke the company's bullying and harrassment policy should they push the matter, it stopped - dead. Generally, my colleages were appalled that it was an issue and were supportive.
The moral is do your homework ;-)
A great example for us all to bear in mind...and a happy ending as well!
Thanks for the post :)
Sometimes it is encouraging to hear good news - it isn't all uphill. At a conference last week several people commented on my "exotic" hairstyle. They were being complimentary. I was wearing it tied back in a Hairglove as I'd travelled by motorcycle. Generally, I've found that in the UK people are supportive of those prepared to stand out from the crowd even if they haven't the gumption to do so themselves.
Mark,
What is a "hairglove"? Or better yet, what does it look like?
Take a look here:
Mark,
Thanks! It looks like it will be a while before I can wear one of them. They look "fashionable" How do you like them?
They take a bit of getting used to - putting them on is a bit fiddly, but for riding a bike, they're ideal.
Thanks! It looks like it will be a while before I can wear one of them. They look "fashionable" How do you like them?
I got a couple of hairgloves a few months ago - they really are fantastic things. I use them mainly when I inline-skate since they hold the hair like nothing else during flips and spins.
Sometimes I'll wear one just because they do simply make a nice change!
This one comes up a lot but nobody has said yet that they have tried using the argument that they belong to the "Hair Religion".
I am a ligitimate ordained minister of the Hair Religion and the religion states that you are a member if you are growing your hair long intentionally.
Maybe it`s unfair that you are using religion to keep your hair, but it`s even more unfair to force someone to cut his hair because of a job.
Here`s to you and here`s to me.
Fool these tyrants and keep your hair.
The only one I can think of is the Sikh religion. Since they wear turbans, if you wore your hair in a turban it wouldn't touch your shoulders anyway! You have to grow your beard as well. Some Sikhs work in places that even beards aren't allowed, and get around this by wearing a sort of net over their beard (looks dead strange). The Sikhs come from the North-West frontier of India. I don't know how you would go about converting? Strictly speaking they are supposed to carry a knife at all times as part of their religion, but I'm not sure they all observe that. They are supposed to be teetotal as well, but I have known some who drink beer.