Thread: Discrimination against men with long hair at work

Originally Posted by Pi Jiu

Wow, I had the exact same thought.

Unfortunately, this is how it is in the modern day workforce ... men are expected to be robotic looking clones of each other right down to appearance/behavior. And it only gets worse the higher up one goes.

What crap! I was in a meeting last Wednesday to discuss a multi-million dollar contract with some executives from a major state run utility. Dress ranged from smart to sloppy, every concievable hairstyle and so on. Business went well. The meeting before that was with a very smartly dressed young woman who looked very business like - that meeting didn't go so well. The cloning phenomena is not so ubiquitous.

Originally Posted by WildMan

What crap! I was in a meeting last Wednesday to discuss a multi-million dollar contract with some executives from a major state run utility. Dress ranged from smart to sloppy, every concievable hairstyle and so on.

I don't believe you. Multi-million dollar contracts are rarely discussed by those in sloppy attire. Further, please articulate on "every conceivable hairstyle". Long? Short? Crew cut? Or what?

Originally Posted by WildMan

The meeting before that was with a very smartly dressed young woman who looked very business like - that meeting didn't go so well.

Perhaps the young woman could not understand you totally, much as I sometimes cannot.

Originally Posted by 3.14

I don't believe you.

And therein lies you problem, PuJii/3.14/whateverthefuckyournameis.

Someone gives you an example which counters the bullshit claims you're making, and you dismiss it with "I don't believe you".

What a crock of shit.

You're a clown, and nothing more. You don't want debate, you don't want dialog. You want everyone to believe as you do and, when they give an example as to why they don't, you say "I don't believe you".

You're so full of shit it's funny...

Originally Posted by 3.14

I don't believe you. Multi-million dollar contracts are rarely discussed by those in sloppy attire. Further, please articulate on "every conceivable hairstyle". Long? Short? Crew cut? Or what?



Perhaps the young woman could not understand you totally, much as I sometimes cannot.

Better for me that you remain in disbelief. No, the young woman did not understand me - but she had her chance.

Originally Posted by WildMan

Better for me that you remain in disbelief. No, the young woman did not understand me - but she had her chance.

Perhaps you didn't explain the situation fully to the young woman, and she got confused.

Originally Posted by 3.14

This is an issue which I have been thinking about for a long time, and feel strongly about.

What does everyone think about discrimination against men with long hair in the workplace? Is it fair? Should there be laws against it?

I do not believe it is fair, but unfortunately men are discriminated against because of their hairstyles. This holds true across all countries, and all workplaces, but hold ESPECIALLY true for those in business school, or at the management level, and even while getting jobs or being promoted at work.

Why exactly is a man's hairstyle more important than the job he does, or his qualifications? I have not been able to understand this absurd thinking in today's society.

I also think this is pure and simple bias, with no basis behind it. Why are women allowed to have long or short hair and get away with it, while men can't have long hair?

There are laws against discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, region and just about everything else - why not hair?

In fact, I recall a case which went to court once on this ...

(here is the link: USATODAY.com - Court: It's OK to fire woman who wouldn't wear makeup)



In conclusion, this is plain and simple bias, and should not be occuring in today's world. I am pretty sure all of the men on this forum who have long hair will understand what I am saying here ...

What does everyone think?

Wanna live in NY, gotta play by the rules.

Originally Posted by solletica

Wanna live in NY, gotta play by the rules.

Do you believe discrimination against men with long hair is fair and warranted?

Why, or why not?

Originally Posted by 3.14

Do you believe discrimination against men with long hair is fair and warranted?

Why, or why not?

:rolleyes:

Originally Posted by 3.14

Do you believe discrimination against men with long hair is fair and warranted?

Why, or why not?

Irrelevant. In the US it's legal. Fair or not, it's been through the courts, and the courts have sided with the business's right to set standards for grooming that differ between the sexes.

Originally Posted by pramjockey

Irrelevant. In the US it's legal. Fair or not, it's been through the courts, and the courts have sided with the business's right to set standards for grooming that differ between the sexes.

It isn't irrelevant, as the reason I started this thread is to discuss whether it is fair or not.

What is your opinion? Fair or not?

Originally Posted by 3.14

It isn't irrelevant, as the reason I started this thread is to discuss whether it is fair or not.

What is your opinion? Fair or not?

Yes, it is.

All job applicants who meet the pertinent grooming standards are all equal in that respect...

Originally Posted by Steve

All job applicants who meet the pertinent grooming standards are all equal in that respect...

But, that's not the point. Why is it fair that a person should be discriminated against just because he has long hair?

Originally Posted by 3.14

But, that's not the point. Why is it fair that a person should be discriminated against just because he has long hair?

It's fair because the employer gets to set the grooming standards for his company.

That said, I've seen no evidence which would indicate that there's some rampant problem with men not getting jobs because they have long hair. In fact, I don't believe it's the case at all.

I believe that those who bitch about something like this are trying to find a reason why they didn't get a job that doesn't include their own inability to perform the required tasks.

Admit it, Rahul. You didn't get a job because your job skills are woefully inadequate, but you want to believe that you didn't get the job because you have long hair...