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My employer won't let employees grow a beard because he says it's unprofessional, can he do that?

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Question added by Mariam Eid , Marketing and Communications Manager , Executive Solutions
Date Posted: 2016/08/18
Khalid Allam
by Khalid Allam , sales and customer service manager , Fastrak

I think that one of the most important points that would add a great value to any service company is how its employees look. If having a clean, trimmed and well maintained beard in that case no objection will be logical from the company

 

Florence De Guzman
by Florence De Guzman , Assistant HR Manager , 6 Pence Consulting W.L.L..

This discussion should be covered in the Company Policies and Procedures or to be more specific in the Dress Code Policy.    

Sheetal Ranade
by Sheetal Ranade , Group CHRO , Al Fardan Exchange

Unless required for an appearance of a specific kind; employers ideally shouldn't impose such restricitions on employees. A specific dressing or appearance can always be designated by means of a Dress Code policy which can explain expectations in a detailed manner. 

yes,i do agree with the employer because in  profession it's a symbol of laziness. 

Mohammad Khalifa
by Mohammad Khalifa , Senior Legal advisor , Saud Al Shebli Advocates and Legal Consultants

I started working for my current company about a year and a half ago. Since I have a beard and most of the employers are interested in the appearance of their staff, I was told to cut my beard or shorter it to be an acceptable interface for the clients of the office.

Of course I rejected his request with all kindness and politeness

After a year of my work with the company itself and my Thick beard the employer issued his instructions to be dealing with all the clients by me only .. Then I became the manager of the branch of the company that I work and thank God

Your ethics and honesty are your appearance, not the beauty of your eyes, the whiteness of your skin, and the softness of your cheeks

In the end, the Labor Code does not allow him to discriminate between employees on the basis of sex, race or religion and they have personal freedom as long as the prohibition does not go beyond the law or public morals

and thanks for the question

Mostafa Ghanem
by Mostafa Ghanem , رئيس إدارة الشؤون القانونية , مجموعة مرعي بن محفوظ وشركاه

Agreed with the answer of Mr. Khalid Allam

ahmed azab
by ahmed azab , محامى ومستشار قانونى , محامى متخصص فى مجال القضايا العمالية ومستشار قانونى للهيئة العامة للتامين الصحى بمصر

I think the question of raising the beard or leaving it like a veil and other slant related to personal life

However, if the conditions of the job require not to be raised, breeding them is a violation, but if you do not ask for it, this is an explicit attack on personal freedom

i think experience is more good for us not a beard and clean men.

 

Joyson Richard Albuquerque
by Joyson Richard Albuquerque , HR Manager , Restaurant Secrets Inc

This could be due to unconscious bias, I feel there won’t be any difference in efficiency between someone who has beard and who does not. As far as something which makes a person look good and matches his personality, I don’t think anyone would have a problem with that.

When it comes to professionalism this could be more realistic based on the job description. For a position who have to meet new clients on daily basis is recommended to shave and someone who has less activity outside could be given the leverage.

 

Swati Khandelwal
by Swati Khandelwal , Resource Head , G4S

i wonder if that is also part of professional etiquette