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I was asked on several occasions to cut my hair (which was not long by standards here - not quite chin level). My hair is very curly and thick, and gets bushy. Everytime I respectfully declined cutting my hair. I also have a beard although it is not long.
My boss again mentioned this to me, and I told him if he wanted to fire me he should find another reason other than my appearance, as there could be legal issues. Two days later, I was offered a severance package and asked not to return to work. I am an industrial engineer.
I cut my hair for an interview, above the ears, but as my hair is very curly it is still long. I have let it grow out, and now face more interviews. I was consider cutting it, but have decided to leave it long.
Thank you for the encouragement.
David
David,
I would like to thank you for the encouragement, since I, too will be looking for a full-time job (just graduating) in a professional environment. I was just reading a local career consultant's column in the newspaper that remarked that letting your own personality show through in the hiring process is most important.
If you value your hairstyle, then forsaking it for a job that you may not even like is not worth it. The cliche that happiness is important on your job holds much weight for me, personally. Remember, we spend more of our waking hours at our jobs than anywhere else. I guess that's why I've had respect for non-traditional students who go back to school to follow their dreams elsewhere.
Keeping it neat is rough, though. Right now, my hair's in that stage, where it is bushier than the shrubs in my front yard, and hanging in my eyes and ears. I have curly hair, too, and with the weather I've been experiencing lately, it just ends up frizzy and all staticky before long. I find myself slipping away to the restroom constantly to wet it down and flatten it back. I keep reminding myself, though, that all this work will pay off with a head of hair I can be proud of and that will give me confidence. I have found that my social interaction has improved dramatically.
Hang in there, David.
I commend you by sticking to your guns. I mean we're talking about an industrial engineer, not Wally, the insurance salesman. You don't have contact with the public do you? What the hell does your boss care how long your hair is? I got fired over my appearance once and my second job was so much better that I was actually tempted to send my former boss a thank you letter. I was never hassled for my appearance again.
Although it can be humiliating, just know that you are good at what you do and search out a more enlightened bunch of people to work for and leave the less enlightened to their own delusion.
You got it going on,
Chaeya
that kind of domineering atmosphere is no fun to work in. consider it a favor for them to remove you from such a work environment. keep the hair and you know the place that hires you will tolerate it. you can save yourself these kind of hassles by just being yourself at the outset.