Discrimination against men with long hair in work places

[fhawk362]

I think it has more to do with your overall appearance then the fact that you solely have long hair.

A nice button up shirt, dress pants, tie and your hair back in a pony will still look sharp. Even sharper with a jacket. That same outfit with your hair down, completely throws off the professional look. Stereotypes also play a big part in the hiring process.

For sure, I agree completely, it's not all places that are as such. I keep a professional look I feel but there are places that have an over the collar hair rule for men, for instance, publix, disney world, as well as a recent photgraphy company I have applied to.

 

[fhawk362]

"NEVER"...how do you know for sure? My hair was not cut short for 39 years. Cancer changed that. I didn't agonize for even 30 seconds about whether or not I would have chemotherapy. Just before it all fell out, my husband cut my hair very very short. It was a very small price to pay for a better chance at staying alive.




During the hiring interview many factors are considered besides qualifications, education, experience and work history. Bouncing from job to job can send up red flags. Being a team player and being able to get along well with others is very important. Anyone with a perceived attitude is going to be passed over. Any person who comes across as a maverick with an attitude is potential bad news for any employer.

Anyone not getting the job is not selling themselves/skills to the potential employer. The employer wants to know why you are the best candidate for the job...so you must do a good sell job and convince the employer that you have and will bring with you what the employer needs and wants for the business.

I don't think that short hair is being subordinate. I do know that insubordination is not tolerated in any workplace.

If you are not getting hired, you need to closely examine how you come across in the interview process. Frankly, it worries me that you place the blame on the employer and not yourself for your not getting hired. In the work place this could. translate into putting the blame for a mistake you made on somebody else, or not taking responsibility for your own actions. I seriously doubt that the long hair alone is the issue. Bottom line is that you failed to convince the employer that you were the best person for the job.

I understand completely and I don't blame the fact that an employer "likes" me less because I have long hair, it's just there are certain jobs that require you to maintain hair above the collar to get hired,(Disney World, publix, and a recent photography position I applied for) and that is my concern, not that my look is stereotyping me (although I believe it probably does create a stereotype at first glance), I know my positive respectful attitude takes away all doubt of my professional abilities once in an interview.

 

[Rush19034]

I've cut off my dreads three times. If you want Babylon's green energy, you've got to look like babylon.

Listen to the wiseman

 

[ballinouttacntrol]

For sure, I agree completely, it's not all places that are as such. I keep a professional look I feel but there are places that have an over the collar hair rule for men, for instance, publix, disney world, as well as a recent photgraphy company I have applied to.

I'm honestly not trying to be rude but if you had sold yourself, i feel the potential employee would say something along the line of "how do you feel about cutting your hair?"

I had a job all lined up, even signing papers, talking about the first day and then boom, the district manager asks me if i'm attached to my goatee. I've also had facial hair since 7th grade and have been rocking a full goatee for the last 4 years. He explains that they view it as a fad and trendy and it was management for a freakin sporting good store...if anything THEY SHOULD BE TRENDY! Needless to say, i turned them down because i didn't want the job that bad. Had i wanted/needed it, goatee would be gone. If long hair was preventing me from getting a job, it'd also be gone.

 

[Chaitika]

I hire professionals for a living. I don't discriminate against guys with long hair and/or beards. It's about overall appearance, as the company wants staff to look neat. Short hair is not about femininity. It's about conformance. Its about being the same as everyone else, just like the military used to be. I don't; think you can have long hair in the military, but you can have facial hair now.

Much of the business world is still run by the old boy's network. The Old Boys think if you have long hair, then you're a dope smoking hippie or a man who likes men. I even see local civic employees with long hair, so there may still be some discrimination, but things are changing! Even in the Tim Horton's, there are guys with long hair. Of course their hair is in a net, but they still have long hair.

 

[Neervana]

I understand where you're coming from completely. Personally, I don't think that anyone should need to cut off their hair just so they can get a job, I know I never would. My hair is past my back, and is very long. I'd never cut it off for anyone! But then again... if you're an *employer* and you want your workers to look professional.. and in your view if they do not look professional with long hair.. if they are going to work for you and get paid for it.. it says a lot that they are willing to take your money but not make a sacrifice for the job you're employing them for.

Just another way of looking at it! But I do think it's unfair to not employ someone just because of the length of their hair.

 

[Dan F]

I've had long hair for most of my life. I wear it tied back most of the time, as it is really long and gets into things if I don't.

Nine years ago when I applied for my first teaching job my advisor from the MAT program asked if I would consider cutting my hair for the job (the principal must have asked her to do it). I told her "no" and explained that I didn't think it should make any difference. Some people might not feel comfortable around men with long hair, but the same could also be said about men with beards or shaved heads. I got the job, long hair and all.

At my second school (my current job and the job I will probably retire from in twenty-some years) they would probably flip out if I ever cut my hair.

The photo is of me at work with Sophi's show-and-tell climbing on my back.

 

[toddhgr]

GET A HAIRCUT YA HIPPIE!!!!! Lol I had to say it. But on a more serious note, I realize it is a different line of work than you are applying for, but we do not allow long loose hair. My family owns a dairy farm and men and or women who work for us must always keep their hair short or up and out of the way at all times. Here it is not matter of proffesionalism, but safety. We do not allow long hgair for the same reason we do not allow overly loose clothing. It is unsafe. It is very easy for a braid or pony tail to get sucked into any one of the many peices of powerful equipment we work with on a daily basis.

 

[frnchjeep]

You never said what type of job you are trying to get. If it is working around machinery, and long hair could become a hazard, then they have the right to tell you no long hair since it could end up causing them money if you get hurt or killed. If it is for purely cosmetic reasons, it sounds like they are begging for a lawsuit. Unless you are applying to be a stripper, basing employment on physical appearance is one of the biggest no-no's and they are really playing with fire with that one. It IS a form of discrimination, and has no bearing on how well you could perform the job you are applying for (which is only what they are supposed to base their decision on). I find it funny that they came right out and told you that it was because of your hair and not something like "there was someone more qualified".


Edit: todd beat me to it, but you get the point.

 

[Plec123]

ive seen plenty of guys with long hair working in hotels and they make it look well-groomed, theyll slick it back or something like that.