Work has problem with my beard and way I dress

TrustedApple

Hi every one.

Today I was called into a meeting with my manager over my beard and was told to shave it off as it it not suitable for the work place. We don't deal with people face to face and no one Vists the office. I was also brought up on what I wear I wear super skinny jeans, blazer, shirt or t shirt every day with boots.

My Co worker was told to get a hair cut and wash himself as well.

I work in a it company and we have no dress code In our hand book other then ripped jeans and shorts are not aload. But everything else is fine.

What can I do about this?

Mrs OBumble

TrustedApple wrote: »

What can I do about this?

Buy a razor, some more shirts and some regular trousers over the weekend. On Monday morning, use them.

Pugzilla

Conform

Laura_A

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Buy a razor, some more shirts and some regular trousers over the weekend. On Monday morning, use them.

Dont do this - your boss cant tell you to shave off your beard unless they have it in a handbook for health and safety reasons etc - they cant tell you to shave your beard in the same way that they a company couldn't force me to wear high heels (i've had that row with a previous company and it cannot be enforced so I would imagine same rules apply for something like a beard if there is no health and safety issue)

To be honest what you are wearing sounds perfectly acceptable for an IT company, if you have IT skills you are in demand - start interviewing with other companies as if they are more worried about your skinny jeans and a beard than the skills you are offering them there is plenty of IT companies crying out for staff that wont have the same problems.

xabi

How long is the beard? Is it one of those hipster ones? I'd shave it and respect their wishes.

Saipanne

The hipster trend is surely over by now? Maybe it's time to move on.

minikin

Are you a lady? Ladies with beards tend to rob stationery.

They are giving you money... you're there to work - not express your individuality. Have you considered wearing a stick on beard at home?

Stick the attached on the mirror of the work jacks, then you can be all beardy on your poo break.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/10/25/1b/10251b3e917529ef7db9d8dbdafb1c52.jpg

Bandana boy

They can pretty much have any dress code they want , so not sure how much you can fight this , as long as they are not discriminating against a Burka or something.
You will find lots of other IT companies who don't give a fig , so I would dust the CV down.

irish_goat

Tell them you have it for religious reasons.

SoupyNorman

Surprised no one has asked yet, M or F?

Timberrrrrrrr

TrustedApple wrote: »

Hi every one.

Today I was called into a meeting with my manager over my beard and was told to shave it off as it it not suitable for the work place. We don't deal with people face to face and no one Vists the office. I was also brought up on what I wear I wear super skinny jeans, blazer, shirt or t shirt every day with boots.

Not being funny here (work in IT myself and standard dress for me is jeans and tshirt) but exactly how skinny are super skinny jeans? Are they so tight that your meat and 2 veg are bulging and making others in the office uncomfortable?

What t-shirts do you wear? Plain black/white/grey or megadeat ones or "witty" IT ones?

My Co worker was told to get a hair cut and wash himself as well.

I work in a it company and we have no dress code In our hand book other then ripped jeans and shorts are not aload. But everything else is fine.

What can I do about this?

If someone has lank greasy hair and bad BO then manager was right to pull Co worker up on this.

andekwarhola

Stop elevating the right to have unwashed hair and a beard to an epic fight against conformity.

Conversely, find another job that allows you to do it.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

They sound like a bad company to work for... Start job hunting.

minikin

SoupyNorman wrote: »

Surprised no one has asked yet, M or F?

I think you'll find post #7 an interesting read there soupy... yyyyyaaaaaaaaaaeeeeeeeehhhhhhh.

tinpib

I think there is a misunderstanding here.

I'm certain that OP's manager is merely insisting he trims his facial hair so that it is neckbeard only, which is in line with accepted worldwide IT practice.

anewme

minikin wrote: »

Ladies with beards tend to rob stationery.

this made me spit my tea all over the keyboard. Off now to visit the Stationary Cupboard before I go home.

Smondie

If your boss has to call a few of you up over what you are wearing/ personal grooming ..... I pity the other "conforming" staff that have to work alongside you


They'll be a handbook Monday with employee dress code

SoupyNorman

minikin wrote: »

I think you'll find post #7 an interesting read there soupy... yyyyyaaaaaaaaaaeeeeeeeehhhhhhh.

Ah Jayziz lads.

lawred2

TrustedApple wrote: »

Hi every one.

Today I was called into a meeting with my manager over my beard and was told to shave it off as it it not suitable for the work place. We don't deal with people face to face and no one Vists the office. I was also brought up on what I wear I wear super skinny jeans, blazer, shirt or t shirt every day with boots.

My Co worker was told to get a hair cut and wash himself as well.

I work in a it company and we have no dress code In our hand book other then ripped jeans and shorts are not aload. But everything else is fine.

What can I do about this?

beards are fine

dirty hipster look is not

andekwarhola

Guessing most workplaces wouldn't care about a normal trimmed beard.

Presumably, on reading the skinny jeans and blazer bit, the beard is a Ronnie Drew On Steroids job.

What if a company told an employee to shave their head?? Joe would be getting calls.
KEEP THE BEARD

Walter H Price

How well maintained is your beard OP ? i wouldn't shave mine for anyone and am actively growing it more at the minute for my wedding next year want a full Joe Leadly job by then.

However im aware that it needs to not be scragley or scruffy looking for work , so ensuring its well trimmed regularly to keep it shape and not go messy looking and also washing and oiling twice daily to ensure it looks clean and maintained.

again with the long hair if its clean and well looked after fine but theres a dude works with us and his hair is absolutly minging and the bang of BO off him is awful he's been pulled up on it a few times.

Tazz T

Ask him if he's jealous?

If that doesn't work shave it, throw out the jeans and come in on Monday wearing a nice frock.

BreadnBuddha

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Buy a razor, some more shirts and some regular trousers over the weekend. On Monday morning, use them.

Not a chance.

Trim your beard if it's untidy, make sure your appearance is neat and tidy and go to work.

If they expect you to shave off your beard, ANY beard, they can whistle for it. You're not customer facing so as long as you get your job done, all you have to do is have decent personal grooming. Trim the beard if it's unkempt and get on with your day.

Walter H Price

BreadnBuddha wrote: »

Not a chance.

Trim your beard if it's untidy, make sure your appearance is neat and tidy and go to work.

If they expect you to shave off your beard, ANY beard, they can whistle for it. You're not customer facing so as long as you get your job done, all you have to do is have decent personal grooming. Trim the beard if it's unkempt and get on with your day.

i deal with customers most days i wouldn't take this so long as its neat and clean i see no issue

livedadream

TrustedApple wrote: »

Today I was called into a meeting with my manager over my beard and was told to shave it off as it it not suitable for the work place. We don't deal with people face to face and no one Vists the office. I was also brought up on what I wear I wear super skinny jeans, blazer, shirt or t shirt every day with boots.

My Co worker was told to get a hair cut and wash himself as well.

just reiteration of what everyone else is saying really,

was it shave your bread or trim it so its neat and tidy, some of the lads we have around here (It based as well could seriously do with a trip to the barber pubey type beards seriously need a trim) some of the lads are grand massive beards but tidy and clean.

the clothes, start wearing business dress, smart casual, skinny jeans are not suitable for an office.

can i just pull you up on ''

We don't deal with people face to face and no one Vists the office.

do you not think the people who have to smell your co worker or look at greasy dirty hair arnt people? your other colleagues? are they not people?

BreadnBuddha

Walter H Price wrote: »

i deal with customers most days i wouldn't take this so long as its neat and clean i see no issue

It really depends on the industry, the employer and in many cases, the client or customer expectations. As long as that's clearly set out from the start, no beard rule = no problem.

An arbitrary rule introduction for 'back office' IT staff calling for no beards? Pft. Good luck with that.

livedadream

BreadnBuddha wrote: »

It really depends on the industry, the employer and in many cases, the client or customer expectations. As long as that's clearly set out from the start, no beard rule = no problem.

An arbitrary rule introduction for 'back office' IT staff calling for no beards? Pft. Good luck with that.

most handbooks will say ''neat and tidy dress'' instead of going though all the ins and outs, it also makes it easier to chop and change.

BreadnBuddha

livedadream wrote: »

most handbooks will say ''neat and tidy dress'' instead of going though all the ins and outs, it also makes it easier to chop and change.

Try many of the large practices somewhere like the IFSC and you'll find it all set put in black and white, right down to shirt sleeves being rolled up/down, what facial hair if any is permitted and so on.

OrgasmicBaz

Maybe the boss is jealous because he/she cannot grow a beard, feck em!

livedadream

BreadnBuddha wrote: »

Try many of the large practices somewhere like the IFSC and you'll find it all set put in black and white, right down to shirt sleeves being rolled up/down, what facial hair if any is permitted and so on.

yeah smaller companies though wont, they dont have massive HR department sand the OP said his handbooks doesnt have a dress code policy bar no ripped jeans and shorts

lawred2

Looks - it's clear that the OP is a stinking untidy mess who is making everyone else's workday a daily hell.

His colleague is obviously in on it - i.e. him being asked too is just a way to make the OP feel like he's not being singled out.

But he is being singled out. Because he stinks. And he's ruining everyone's lunches.

His employer is clearly being polite and trying to spare the OP's feelings.

If he doesn't get the hint - I think the next message will have to be clearer.

Take a wash and clean yourself up you filthy hippy.

syklops

Ive had a beard for well over a decade and I've worked in several customer facing roles and Ive never once had a negative comment about my beard. Its trimmed regularly and looked after.

I wouldn't be shaving mine for anyone, but without seeing yours OP, I can't fully support you. There are some very unattractive beards out there.

I work in a it company and we have no dress code In our hand book other then ripped jeans and shorts are not aload. But everything else is fine.

I worked for a company with a strict business dress code, but they introduced casual friday. One of my friends went into work on the Friday dressed in a full Batman costume. Cape, cowl, the lot. He got sent home to change. On Monday we went in to work and on each desk was the new handbook with amended dress code guidelines including what was suitable for casual friday and what wasnt. "Its not mentioned in the handbook" is a very poor defense because the handbook can change over night.

My advice: Dress business casual, in clean clothes and trim/maintain your beard. If they still arent happy, start job hunting.

lawred2

syklops wrote: »

Ive had a beard for well over a decade and I've worked in several customer facing roles and Ive never once had a negative comment about my beard. Its trimmed regularly and looked after.

I wouldn't be shaving mine for anyone, but without seeing yours OP, I can't fully support you. There are some very unattractive beards out there.



I worked for a company with a strict business dress code, but they introduced casual friday. One of my friends went into work on the Friday dressed in a full Batman costume. Cape, cowl, the lot. He got sent home to change. On Monday we went in to work and on each desk was the new handbook with amended dress code guidelines including what was suitable for casual friday and what wasnt. "Its not mentioned in the handbook" is a very poor defense because the handbook can change over night.

My advice: Dress business casual, in clean clothes and trim/maintain your beard. If they still arent happy, start job hunting.

legend

NIMAN

No sign of the OP, perhaps this was just a wind-up thread?

syklops

NIMAN wrote: »

No sign of the OP, perhaps this was just a wind-up thread?

He only posted it 90 minutes ago. Maybe he got busy in work.

Hollister11

Shave the beard, buy some shirts, end of.

It's not worth getting on the managers bad side, over something so stupid.

Letree

Are you wearing the same old skinny jeans day in day out. Buy some new clothes and cut the length of the beard. I don't know what your beard looks like but some of the hipster beards are hideous. People need to remember that beards don't suit everyone.

mitresize5

Earlier this year Dunnes Store head office altered their dress policy that has been in place since the 50's.

Men can now grow breads and don't have to wear a tie.

The reason behind this is that they couldn't recruit IT staff.

Hollister11

NIMAN wrote: »

No sign of the OP, perhaps this was just a wind-up thread?

People don't spend all day every day on boards. A few hours without a reply is far from proving this is a wind up.

andekwarhola

lawred2 wrote: »

legend

Mentally ill, more like.

Queenalocin

NIMAN wrote: »

No sign of the OP, perhaps this was just a wind-up thread?

Probably gone to barbers!

Dr. Mantis Toboggan

Did they say anything about your man-bun?

Hollister11

lawred2 wrote: »

legend

Idiot more like.

The type of person, who will never move up the ladder.

syklops

Hollister11 wrote: »

Idiot more like.

The type of person, who will never move up the ladder.

He's one of my closest friends and a senior consultant. The next rung up the ladder for him is CTO.

20Cent

It's a slippery slope let your employer away with this sh1te and they'll be telling us what to eat or what time to go to bed at next.

andekwarhola

syklops wrote: »

He's one of my closest friends and a senior consultant. The next rung up the ladder for him is CTO.

You Gotham there.

monkeysnapper

mitresize5 wrote: »

Earlier this year Dunnes Store head office altered their dress policy that has been in place since the 50's.

Men can now grow breads and don't have to wear a tie.

The reason behind this is that they couldn't recruit IT staff.

Same as in aldi , I worked there a few years ago and it was strict clean shave , not long after I left they completly relaxed it .
A good few men grew beards , including one lady .(serious)

Timberrrrrrrr

20Cent wrote: »

It's a slippery slope let your employer away with this sh1te and they'll be telling us what to eat or what time to go to bed at next.

If your personal hygiene has got to the state where management need to call you in and tell you to sort yourself out then it's gotta be bad.

Tbh I would be mortified and the last thing I would do is start a thread about it

lawred2

Hollister11 wrote: »

Idiot more like.

The type of person, who will never move up the ladder.

I wouldn't be surprised if you were a bit wrong there

but who knows

It's not something I'd have been offended by.. certainly not to the point of calling him an idiot. What harm was done?

BunkMoreland

All the submissive little bitches saying he should do what the manager says. Losers.

Plenty of jobs in IT, time to leave.