Sly in the workplace

[Sgt. Pate]

I get an occasional smart remark at work but it's all meant in fun.  One of the guys there only shaves his head every couple weeks and in the interim, I call him a degenerate long hair!  

[tomgallagher]

That's funny Sarge. A headshaving wannabee....LOL.

[zzaapp]

A friend of mine told me about an incident with his manager at a performance appraisal review.  It was shortly after the ADA was passed, and most companies were very gun-shy as nobody really knew how rigorous the enforcement was going to be.  The manager quoted the employee manual provision discouraging "extreme hairstyles".  He replied that he had a medical condition known as androgenetic alopecia, and that shaving his head was his way of coping with his condition.  He firmly stated that if he was going to say anything about it on his PA, he had better be able to prove in court that growing hair is a BFOQ (bona fide occupational qualification), and they would continue the conversation at the Dirksen ((federal) Building.  Nothing more was ever said.

The manager was gone two months later, but it had nothing to do with this incident.   He was just a jerk.

[tomgallagher]

There's a lot of those running around.

[Timmer]

In the Air Force it wasn't an issue at all. 

And in the state government office where I currently work it was almost entirely positive.  A couple of questions but nothing derogatory.

[RyanJP]

I get an occasional smart remark at work but it's all meant in fun.  One of the guys there only shaves his head every couple weeks and in the interim, I call him a degenerate long hair!  

It's that the P.C. way of calling someone a Hippie 

[BaldWriterBob]

The only concern expressed at my place of work was how I was going to keep my dome from freezing during the winter.

[Sgt. Pate]

I get an occasional smart remark at work but it's all meant in fun.  One of the guys there only shaves his head every couple weeks and in the interim, I call him a degenerate long hair!  

It's that the P.C. way of calling someone a Hippie  

Funny you should say that.  Today as he walked by I did call him a 'fricken hippie long hair bastard"! Then yelled "get a haircut"!  

I also gave him a HeadBlade and some samples.  

[RyanJP]

Well what can I say, great minds think alike.

[lordmage]

in my line of work it is expected of the men to be clean cut or well groomed. needless to say i get more positive reactions to the Slydome then i did with groomed hair. in fact my hair never listened to the grooming so every week i was told to cut my hair. not i just shave it and they get to see my pretty dome full of redness from the psoriasis. every other day any way. 

[rcg5227]

There was a part-time retail position that I worked at after my primary job that really didn't like my head shaven bald. I was interviewed by the assistant manager and hired. I have no problems at my primary job and it was an office type job. All that is required is to dress in a business casual attire, but males and females alike have tattoos and piercings. (Don't wear a tie because they will pick on you about it.) When I eventually met the store manager I got that vibe that she didn't like my bald head. I was right, I over heard a conversation and she told a co-worker that she "couldn't believe that the assistant manager hired me." She also mentioned that i looked like a "satanist." I kept the job for a few more days, until the store manager said "I don't think this is the right position for you."
I wasn't too heartbroken. I was in a bad money situation and needed both jobs, but eventually found another retail job (at a plus sized women's clothing store, but it paid $9 an hour which isn't too bad around here for starting in retail.) but my new boss at this place practically required me to keep my head shaven bald because she likedit so much.

[rcg5227]

I get an occasional smart remark at work but it's all meant in fun.  One of the guys there only shaves his head every couple weeks and in the interim, I call him a degenerate long hair!  

It's that the P.C. way of calling someone a Hippie  

Funny you should say that.  Today as he walked by I did call him a 'fricken hippie long hair bastard"! Then yelled "get a haircut"!  

I also gave him a HeadBlade and some samples.  

I used to have long hair many moons ago and got called a hippie  But then genetics took over and made impossible to grow hair on top of my head I didn't want to grow a skullet either 
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[herronm]

Guys, I'd like your advice on this:  I've been unemployed for about 16 months.  I have over 30 years of successful IT experience (Help Desk Management, IT Transitions and Project Management).  I know how to conduct myself in an interview.

My problem is that I cannot get hired.  I've had many interviews and even several 2nd level (decision maker) interviews.  I always dress professionally and show up well groomed (proudly, with my shaved head).  I don't know or understand why I can't land a job. 

I'll grow my hair out to a buzz if I thought that was the reason.  Have any others noticed this as a problem?

[Razor X]

I'd be very surprised if a shaved head were the reason that anyone got turned down for an IT position.  I can only speculate as to why you haven't had better luck in your job search but the first thing that comes to mind is that with 30 years experience your salary requirements might be more than some employers are willing to pay.  With so many people out of work, they really have the luxury of picking and choosing and may be going with less expensive options.  That would be pretty short-sighted on their part, but it does happen.

I hope things turn around for you soon.

[Timmer]

herronm, I worked IT for the Air Force before I retired in '07.  One of the things they liked the most with the interviews I did get was that my A+ Certification was within the past year.  My town is glutted with IT guys with HP and Micron downsizing here, but from the IT guys I do talk to, employers are looking strongly at how current continuing education is, or if there's been ANY continuing education at all.  Don't forget to list your procurement experience.  They're really looking for a completely self-sustaining IT guy these days.  

I wouldn't worry about the noggin, I'd worry about selling what's in it.