Son says he needs to cut his long hair for job

[PrincesCJM]

The first thing that crossed my mind was was he told to either wear a hair net or cut his hair? Sometimes teenagers will only give half the story.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

My son just got his first job at a grocery store. It is one of those traditional stores that still make male employees wear ties and all that, and he says he needs to cut his hair short (off collars/ears/eyes) for it. He has gorgeous long surfer hair, and he is both excited for the job because he will be working with a bunch of his friends, but also disappointed to have to cut his hair.

I said he shouldn't have to cut his hair for a part-time job, but my husband (who has never been a super big fan of his hair and tbh I think it's just glad he is finally cutting it) says that that is bad advice, and that a professional haircut would suit him well. I know there are lots of other jobs out there that is less strict, but he also seems excited to work with friends so I am not sure how to advise him.

perfect example of everyone wanting whatever they want regardless... this is a moment in a kids life that steps him into adulthood theyemployer has a grooming code : get hired cut your hair don't like it move on If he is willing to do it DO NOT discourage him

 

[mrodgers]

Often the two are confused for eachother. I have a large collection of Grocery Store Associate trading cards, including a signed Tonya Shermenski, Most Valuable Stocker 1997 and consecutive three time employee of the month.

I still hold the record of pushing a line of 110 grocery carts up onto the sidewalk and spinning them 90° into the cart area from the early 90's in my town. They went to the no more than 6 cart rule the last year I worked the daylight floor before going to night shift for the year before getting my "real" job so no one has been able to beat my record since.

 

[jo-jo]

I'm assuming his friends already had short hair , since this rule seems like a shock to him.

 

[mrodgers]

If he were my son, I’d just shrug and say…you want the job, you gotta meet their requirements. You don’t say how old he is but assuming you don’t care, he should make the Decision himself. If he makes the wrong choice, it’s on him.

Personally I love the idea of kids dressing up for any job, even a grocery store. It teaches a lot about being an adult, being respectful to your clients, your employer and yourself. I know I sound like an old lady but kids today don’t seem to think rules apply to them. It’s good to learn how the adult world works as early as possible.

I had to wear button down shirt, tie, pants (no jeans or shorts), and non-white shoes in the late 80's early 90's.

Today that manager left when the owner retired and the owner's kids didn't want to take it over so the store went to the corporate company. The manager moved to another local owned store in the next town, which is the store I now shop at. Today that store has to wear, button down shirt, tie, pants, and non-white shoes.

The difference is, you can tell who the employees are unlike Walmart where their workers don't look much different than the photos on the People of Walmart site. Not sure why people are surprised that a private owned store wouldn't want their workers looking like heroin addict street bums like at Walmart. We don't need to Walmartize the entire world. That is going to lead us into Idiocracy, which we are clearly on the way to becoming.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

Honestly, though, how many people actually want to work? I have to work to pay my bills, but I don't really want to. If I had enough money I'd never work another day in my life.

I separate “work” from a job. Achieving things and social interaction is good for human beings. We are not made to sit on the couch 60 hours a week and our health quickly degrades for those that do.

Many of us would do different work if money was not a factor (hence the distinction from a job) but we would still work. This is why I think it’s funny that employers are criticizing work ethic while putting non-sensical requirements on employees. People want to work, they just don’t want to work for an employer like that.

 

[mrodgers]

Women can't wear pants? Huge red flag for me there - this is 2022, not 1952. That whole "professional" dress thing is boloney to be though. Ties are stupid, skirts only for women is sexist, and I'd rather have the best lawyer in jeans and a t-shirt than a mediocre one in a suit.

Exactly, it's 2022. Conform to what I think because my opinion is correct and yours is wrong.

If you don't like a business' decision on the dress code, don't do business with them, don't get a job with them, and start your own business to create the rules to conform to your opinion rather than think everyone else should conform to yours.

 

[Mysterian]

I still hold the record of pushing a line of 110 grocery carts up onto the sidewalk and spinning them 90° into the cart area from the early 90's in my town. They went to the no more than 6 cart rule the last year I worked the daylight floor before going to night shift for the year before getting my "real" job so no one has been able to beat my record since.

It's true, I own your rookie card.

 

[easyas123]

If he wants to work there, then he has to abide by its dress code regardless of whether or not he agrees with it. So since employment there requires short hair, then if he is going to work there, then short hair is required.

If he wants to keep his long hair, then he needs to find a different job elsewhere.

It's as simple as that. Tell him "Welcome to Adulting 101."

I'm confused on what your son would need advice about. Hair styles? Whether to protest and make a scene? It's not complicated. Cut your hair and take the job. Or don't. But I'm sure he already knows that.

Exactly-

 

[mjkacmom]

I work an executive job and my place of employment requires us to dress to the standard of the client we’re working with. Thus you have to be prepared to wear anything from business casual to business formal if you are client facing here.

I can tell you that on our roster, outside of banking, most workplaces are business casual. That means no jeans, leggings, or t shirts. There are still many, mostly in financial services and law, that require suits and ties for men with skirts, hose, and heels for women. Of course you don’t have to work there, but it’s still standard in some industries.

I personally am glad for companies who require their employees to at least attempt to dress professionally. You’d be very surprised how literally people are willing to take “some body parts covered.”

My husband works for a financial services company, right now from home. Right now he’s wearing a t shirt and boxers because he’s not on zoom. He has button downs on hand for that, same deal with ds24. Neither interact with the general public, all interactions are with other employees.

 

[soccerdad72]

What are the odds this poster even comes back to this thread?

 

[lanejudy]

What are the odds this poster even comes back to this thread?

profile says she was online reading it 21 minutes ago

 

[Mysterian]

What are the odds this poster even comes back to this thread?

That's never stopped us before.

 

[Orion Nebula]

I don't understand why OP even asked this question? He's either going to take the job and cut his hair.... or not... up to him.

lol

 

[Moliphino]

I separate “work” from a job. Achieving things and social interaction is good for human beings. We are not made to sit on the couch 60 hours a week and our health quickly degrades for those that do.

Many of us would do different work if money was not a factor (hence the distinction from a job) but we would still work. This is why I think it’s funny that employers are criticizing work ethic while putting non-sensical requirements on employees. People want to work, they just don’t want to work for an employer like that.

Nope, I would not work at all. I'd travel more and get a few more dogs.

 

[Ta.Ham1989]

it's not exactly the same, but it is a little....

The New York Yankees have in their player contracts that the player must maintain a certain personal image, both on and off the field. No long hair and no facial hair. Players can either accept the contract, or pass. I assume similar applies here at this grocery store.

And have we all forgotten about the Disney look. I know they have gotten more lenient these days but their policy is pretty strict. Lots of airlines have pretty strict policies as well. I work in healthcare and lots of healthcare systems have the same.

 

[disneychrista]

I honestly think employers should have more conservative dress codes. I work for the Court and I was surprised at how "casual" the business casual dress was. Colored hair, visible tattoos, piercings all okay as well.

 

[GreatLakes]

If you accept the job, you accept the rules.

This is the answer. Unless his religion requires him to keep his hair long there is nothing illegal about the dress code as far as I know. This is just the first in a line of tradeoffs he may have to make in life. Want that face tattoo that says "killer"? Go for it but know you might not get that consulting job with EY or PWC.

Where do you draw the line about who gets hired by appearance? What if the grocery store said someone was too fat? Or their skin color was too dark? Where does "Welcome to Adulting 101" fit into those scenarios?

We don't have to draw the line, the EEOC does it for us. I guess more accurately Congress does it for us but the EEOC enforces it. Having long hair on a male, by itself, has yet to be protected.

 

[gmi3804]

I still hold the record of pushing a line of 110 grocery carts up onto the sidewalk and spinning them 90° into the cart area from the early 90's in my town. They went to the no more than 6 cart rule the last year I worked the daylight floor before going to night shift for the year before getting my "real" job so no one has been able to beat my record since.

And you’re still boasting about it all these years later, on a Disney trip-planning Board. You peaked early.

 

[RedAngie]

Some dress code standards are outdated, like no long hair for men.

But others are eternal and inviolable, such as no white after Labor Day.