Is a workplace with a no-facial hair policy considered discrimination?
Facial hair in males of most races grows naturally with the exception of native Americans who can’t grow facial hair. So if somebody was fired for not complying with a facial hair policy, could they sue for discrimination? Could that qualify for discrimination against non-native Americans? I understand that in some jobs such as the military having a beard can be a safety hazard as it may cause your gas mask to fit on improperly. But if you are a civilian working at a standard job where facial hair has absolutely no effect on your work or performance, how can employers ban facial hair?
Answer: It’s discrimination if you have facial hair for religious reasons and they make you shave IF they make you shave for non-safety reasons. Here is a list of types of discrimination: http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/index.cfm
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2 Responses to Is a workplace with a no-facial hair policy considered discrimination?
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No, guys with beards is not a protected class.
Don’t like your company’s dress code? Find, if you can, another job.
I think if you were fired and the reason given was because you have facial hair this COULD be grounds for wrongful termination IF the company did not have a stated policy regarding facial hair. However, probably not, because, unless you have a contract, you can usually be fired for just about anything. But if this was a stated policy of the company and you CHOSE not to follow it? You chose your consequences so why are you complaining now?