KNOW THE WORKPLACE SHAVING POLICY!

“To Not! - Could Hurt You In The Pocket"

Many public and private companies have written or unspoken grooming policies. When it comes to shaving lines are either very clear or extremely gray. If your wondering why your not advancing, one cause among the plentiful of half-baked reason could be that unspoken policy "we like our front office people Clean-Shaven"

While writing the next piece on shaving, I thought about its relationship to the workplace. I know when I first entered the market it was a big issue and a painful one  because I had a problem with shaving.   This caused me to delve deeper into the topic to see if it still holds true in today's workplace. Although there is empirical data on the subject, both pro and con, interestingly society attitude has not changed that much towards the beard.  So a heads up guys,  not knowing the shaving policy at work or a future workplace can hurt you in the pocket...Ouch!

In today’s economy, employment is tight and competition stiff. Moreover, if you are in the mist of seeking new employment opportunity, or climbing the corporate ladder, spending a little time observing the corporate culture will have a profound impact on landing the JOB; advancing  your  career or  finding ones self stuck in back office operations. In most traditional forms of Civic Service and private sector employment; its do as we do or be done! For Men of Color it is imperative to know the rules of engagement. As the titled of a NY Times article written in 1990 by Lawrence K. Altman M.D., implies For Some, 'No Beards' Is Painful Job Rule , although written more than twenty years ago, in 2012 it is still an active determinant.

Here are a few quotes from the article by Dr. A. Melvin Alexander Jr., a black dermatologist in Columbia, Md., he says; when testifying in discrimination cases where ones inability to shave has jeopardized their employment, he had not met judges who knew about the condition and its prevalence among blacks. ''Many take the attitude that if they haven't heard of the problem, or don't have it themselves, how can it really exist.''

A Marine Corps spokesman, said; ''Marines do not wear beards, period.'' The Marine Corps requires close shaves and will discharge men who cannot find an effective way to cope with the condition after eight weeks.

However, the Army, Navy, and Air Force have eased their policies to let beards not exceeding one-quarter of an inch, largely in response to complaints during the Vietnam War. Nevertheless, critics say many susceptible servicemen shave anyway because of pressure from superior officers and other servicemen or because those who grow beards are often denied promotion.

Now, in certain professions like Academia, Technical "IT",   Entertainment, Sports, the policy might be more relax. However, if you are a professional athlete it could hurt  your ancillary earnings, e.g.  product endorsement contracts, commercials, magazine spreads, etc.

As manufacturers of shaving creams, we know it's a big issue among men and especially Black Men. Although, not discuss like sports, strike up a conversation about shaving, and you might as well be talking about the NBA playoffs, every man has a story. I know I did!  Moreover, as quite as it kept, women have a lot to say about our shaved or unshaven faces.  Ask them, but be ready for the answer!

Our society has made some socially acceptable advances over the years, such as hairstyles, whether the style is for trend, cultural or religious reasons. However, I am not sure that's the case for some of us, when referring to facial hair and beards, it still plays out in the psychic of many. 

Moreover, whether you agree or disagree with my assessment. It is in your best interest to find out what the facial shaving policy is in the field you have chosen to pursue. So, take a moment and look round, if the clean-shaved guys are making the moves, find a product that will work for you like easy shave®. You owe it to yourself!