Has this ever happened to you? (Brand new member)

• Has this ever happened to you? (Brand new member) by Btr1229 on 03 Apr, 2010 19:28
• First post here;Didn't know a site like this existed for us!Anyway,I have a problem that I wanted to share and I've been trying to cope with.I'll try to make this an abridged version.I've had a beard ever since I was old enough to grow facial hair.I started losing my hair at 17,was very self conscious about it for a while,so I started buzzing my hair.About 2 years ago,I shaved it all off once,and never looked back.I have been shaving my head every morning like clockwork for the past year or so.Anyway,I recently just accepted a new job,in which one of the requirements is to be completely clean-shaven every day.Not a problem for my head,but a huge change for my face.I do not at all like my look of being sly without my beard.Any advice on a better way to cope with this,as opposed to being disappointed every time I pass a mirror and see my hairless face?Any responses appreciated!
  
  
  Brandon
• #1 by sellitman on 03 Apr, 2010 20:51
• I have a goatee and would hate to have to lose it BUT...it is just hair on my chin.
  
  
• #2 by chgobuzzbald on 03 Apr, 2010 21:04
• did you try to push back on this rule ?  Or do it only until you find another job.
• #3 by stasiu on 03 Apr, 2010 21:05
• Hey Brandon !
  
  I've worked in HR/Supevisory and if the standards call for clean shaven face, based on the Board of Directors requests, then this is a very small sacrifice on your part. You did not mention Company benefits, e.g., healthcare, sick days, vacation.  Add all these benefits and I am sure your minimal daily face shave (along with head shave) will become a future promotion or another job opp !   ---Stasiu
• #4 by Btr1229 on 03 Apr, 2010 21:18
• Haha,yeah I know,I guess I'm just being a baby.
• #5 by stasiu on 03 Apr, 2010 21:31
• LOL, Brandon, you're not being a Baby !  You found the BEST BALD site that listens as we ALL try to help you !  ---Stasiu
• #6 by TheSlyBear on 03 Apr, 2010 22:28
• I don't think you're being a baby at all. I think it's a completely unreasonable request, and I would personally refuse to work for a company that mandated this unless it was the only job I could find.
• #7 by omegapd on 04 Apr, 2010 01:03
• I'm in the same boat (law- enforcement). Almost every job here, where you wear a uniform, it's mandatory. It's part of the career I chose and I accept it. You'll get used to it sooner or later. I wore a full beard in college before I got into police work and it took some time to get used to razor bumps and face nicks again, but if you like the work- and can't change policy- it's just something you have to live with. 
• #8 by D.A.L.U.I. on 04 Apr, 2010 07:34
• Most states' law permits an employer to set appearance standards that are "reasonable" and no facial hair probably falls in that range.  It's tough, but so is the economy.  If you can find another job easily that permits it--that's the road to travel.  But, if you can't--shave it, work and keep an eye peeled for a step up in your career moves that will let you regrow it.  You will always be able to grow a beard--as opposed to a full head of hair--time's on your side even if you shave it for now. 
• #9 by BReady on 04 Apr, 2010 10:27
• That's just a way it is these days.  If it means keeping a job, I would shave my face no problem.  Shoot, if they said no more shaved head, I wouldn't like it, but I would stop and grow it out; that's for sure.
• #10 by Mikekoz13 on 04 Apr, 2010 18:46
• Welcome to the Forum Brandon! Hey Dude... that hair on your face is like the long gone hair on your head.... not really important to the essence of who you are as a Man.
  
  
• #11 by (|8-) on 04 Apr, 2010 23:08
• Having choices is overrated:
  
  
  
  I used to have a job where I had to wear a suit and tie and then they went to business casual.  You know what?  Wearing a suit was easier.  Much less to decide on, and much easier to shop for clothes (you can buy dress shirts by number!).  I really felt sorry for the older guys there who had nothing resembling business casual in their closets and had no idea what to wear to the office if you weren't supposed to wear a suit.  Sure, it had disadvantages, like if I wanted to go to a baseball game after work, but it was also simple. 
  
  So you have made one decision (taking this job) which doesn't let you decide on your facial hair.  The way to make this a good thing is to just not think about it again because your decision has been made for you. 
  
  By the way, the word "decide" comes from the Latin and means "to cut off."  Not in the shaving sense  but in the sense that deciding means cutting off the alternatives and no longer worrying about them.  A good way to think about all past decisions in life.
• #12 by Sgt. Pate on 04 Apr, 2010 23:25
• Hang in there bro, I totally understand especially when it comes to your appearance, I really don't understand some of the rules companies have.  Safety, yeah, I get that but... oh well, I won't get started.  
  
  With the job market what it is though, you just have to suck it up.  I was unemployed for over a year and when I finally did get a job, it was (is) only temporary AND I had to buy business casual clothes for it... yeah, I was rolling in loot and could afford that!  
  
  There's always going to be some "condition of employment" we have to agree to.  I do feel for ya.  Just don't focus on having to shave and get bitter, it's just a job and a small trade off.  It really sucks to not have an income.    
• #13 by SlyBaldDude on 04 May, 2010 11:12
• I worked a pretty well paying security job last summer and had to shave my beard.  I hated it.  Couldn't wait for that to be over.  I have decided I won't take a job that makes me shave my beard.  You only live once!