Comments on: beard-growing season

By: Frank

Frank — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:29:47 +0000

I was unable to grow any facial hair in high school. I did not start shaving until sophomore year in college. I grew a beard junior year in college while attending a foreign study program. My parents would not pay my senior year tuition unless I shaved the beard off. I kept the moustache. I then grew the beard back each winter when I turned 29. It is great for skiing.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:37:13 +0000

Clinton,

I’m not up on the legal aspects there. If the doctor’s note is legitimate, they should honor it. If they don’t, then you should probably inform your doctor. He may be able to provide a more compelling note. Otherwise, you might speak to an attorney. But that surely will not endear you to the new employer.

An old strategy has been to shave temporarily for the interview and the period right after you start the job, then later grow a beard. That might work for you, but it weakens the medical angle.

Good luck to you. Let us know what happens.

By: Aldon

Aldon — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:10:07 +0000

Clinton, I don’t know California law but can not immagine that your employer could bypass your doctor’s note. I worked in a hospital in Michigan and they allowed beards. I worked in Dietary where they required a special hair (beard) covering, as well as the regular hairnet or covering.

I do know that here, in Michigain, if your doctor says you can not do something, that your company doctor cannot force you to abide by his/her doctor’s orders.

By: Clinton

Clinton — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:03:56 +0000

Anyone know for sure about CA laws against disscrimination, in refference to growing a beard at work?

I know that some can skate on religious reasons and some on medical reasons. Im not religious & would rather not take that rout.
I did get a docs note for my beard at my current place of employment but the times are tough and ill soon be looking for another job.
The job im hoping for is at a county run hospital. I still have the original note (no expiration date was listed) and i plan to present them with the note upon request, im wondering what my options are if they reject the note.

Thank you for your time, Clinton in San Jose.

By: Alessandro

Alessandro — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:24:53 +0000

Burt, i agree with you. The thought of an employer enforcing a beard policy disturbs me. I had a job over winter break, they asked me to shave, i said “no, i dont shave, i’ll trim, but i haven’t shaved for a year and a half, i’m not going to start doing it now.” They didn’t like it, but they dealt, also i thought it wasn’t worth it for a job i was going to hold for a two weeks or so, if that long. I even threw in that i don’t own razors for comedic effect (for the record i do have some, haven’t touched them in a year!)

sorry, tangent.

In regards to your dilemma, see if you can get someone who has some say in the beard policy to grow a beard. Challenge him to grow a beard for a few weeks, and try to be a “mentor” to him in his beard endeavors, it should show him the fun of growing his beard out.

Now as i’m writing this, it occurred to me that someone with that authority to help you out and change the policy might be a female. If that’s the case see if you can get their significant other to grow a beard, and if she hates her husband’s, have it so he’ll only shave if allows beards in the work place.

Also, she might be lesbian, or not be with someone, see if you can organize a “boycott” on the policy, and get fellow employees to grow a beard with you. (Safety in numbers…..usually)

these ideas might be a bit juvenile, but in the very least maybe reading them will give you a nice laugh and make your day a little better.

By: Burt

Burt — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:20:53 +0000

I had a beard from my late teens to about 37. Since then I had a goatee. My employer does not allow beards, even though I work in the IT department and face a window and monitor all day long. I hate the goatee, and have a doctor letter to allow even it! I have a small scar from childhood incident so I hard to shave around it. But reagrdless, I miss my beard. I need to find a way to ask my employer about going full grown with the beard. I was off with surgery this past summer and grew my beard for 4 months! WHat a great summer! Some faces just look better with a beard and mine if definitley one of them. My company supports Gay, lesbians and transgenders, allows smoking in certain areas. Not sure how a man with a beard will cause any customer complaints?

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 23:43:25 +0000

Good for you, Patrick! Keep growing. Good luck! Will be eager to learn of your progress.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 03:37:20 +0000

Recently I finally decided to stop shaving and decided to let my beard grow for the first time( longer than a week or so). It’s been 10 days
I now find it a very bad time to start as I am writing my finals and the beard is very distracting. I am loving it with a passion and couldn’t believe how much fun it could be to watch it grow, get thicker and more color.
After looking through the website I was inspired to go with a full beard.
I can hardly wait for the next couple of weeks to see how it will turn out.
I will definitely post pictures of the progress and how it turns out after Christmas. Who knows i might just end up keeping it.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:12:06 +0000

Way to go, Brian!

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:52:33 +0000

Finally decided to grow a beard after my employer ended its “No Beard” policy
Over the Thanksgiving holiday I stopped shaving much to the displeasure of my wife.. She will get used to the beard in time.
Growing the beard is very liberating.