Can I get a job with facial hair?

[TheLovelinessOfDemons]

I want to keep my facial hair for complicated reasons, but I'm also looking for a job. Will I have to get rid of it? I would put this FWR but I feel slightly intimidated in there.

I'm not sure what you're asking OP.
What facial hair do you have?

And why will it impact on you getting a job?

It hasn't harmed Harnaam Kaur! Check out her Instagram.

I have quite a lot of thick, dark brown facial hair. Family and DH are convinced that I won't get a job if I keep it. I don't want to believe that they're right, but some people are quite old-fashioned.

Oh yes, I've seen her on TV. I wish mine was so impressive!

Local to me I have seen several people, working in retail, with quite substantial facial hair, so I'd like to say it wouldn't be a barrier. Unfortunately there will always be narrow minded idiots in charge of hiring decisions, so I suspect you will come across at least one during your job search. Let them be an indicator of whether you'd like to work for that company or not, but don't let them put you off applying.

I know a few women with facial hair and jobs. (I assume you're female)
I could grow an impressive beard myself if I chose to. I don't want to.

Would you want to work for someone who doesn't accept you as you are?

I would never discriminate based on somebody's facial hair or other natural features while recruiting.

I'm sure there are certain workplaces that would, unfortunately, but I imagine they would be toxic places to work generally and hopefully a dodged bullet.

Good luck with the job hunt!

I expect there might be some interviewers that hold ignorant thoughts on female facial hair.

But I'm pretty certain they are in the minority and, as others have said, you wouldn't want to work for them anyway.
Let your skills and personality shine. That's what employers are looking for.

yes, you can get a job whilst having facial hair. But I should imagine, unfortunately there are some jobs you will not get whilst having facial hair.
I’m sure there are also jobs that I won’t get for being a slightly overweight middle aged woman.

Update: I've been working for McDonald's for 4 months now, it was all fine until they wanted me to greet, my facial hair is now growing in thick, coarse and black, I have to use the Veet Sensitive for legs every 4 days on my face and it's leaving my skin red raw. As I need this extra shift and they can't find anything else for me to do, I have a problem.

Why do you have to be hair free ?

Sit down and say to them " I like my job , I've enjoyed working here , this is me ! It does not affect my ability to do my job so I would appreciate your support in this , I shall not be using anymore chemicals or painful procedures on my skin , can I rely on you to allow me to continue in my role ? "

With a big smile ... hopefully over a nice McCafe !

Good luck

Do they allow males employees to greet customers with facial hair?

Have they actually said to you that you have to get rid of it.

Are they saying it Is it a hygiene issue being in a food prep area? Or is it about appearance? Are the rules on uniform/appearance equal to all employees?

Every 4 days? And that product is meant for your legs not your face. You should not have to damage your skin for the sake of a job

McDonald's don't have a company policy on female facial hair. They cannot force you to remove it.

They used to require shaving if you worked in kitchen but now have beard nets.

By greeting, do you mean you're a customer care assistant or a customer experience leader? I did both with facial hair for ten years with no issues.

Have they said you need to remove it?

Are you happy with facial hair op ? If so I can't see the issue

If you aren't there a a lot of solutions.

I don't really understand the issue ?

A job with facial hair?

Father Christmas?

Well it shouldn't be an issue, but I think people are being disingenuous to say some people wouldn't notice and it may put them off. If you're happy with it, then leave it as someone will be fine with it (I'm just saying it may limit your chances)

Wear a mask? Since Covid I see people still wearing them and most people don’t bat an eye.

As long as any male employees with facial hair have to wear a mask too right?

Hi op, have they asked you or hinted that you should remove your hair? They absolutely cannot do that and you'd be entitled to make a complaint if they did. If you are choosing to remove it on your own terms because you feel uncomfortable in that role because of your hair then that's understandable. I wish you didn't feel that way but I understand. Can you ask them if they could transfer to to another nearby branch in a different role/ could you ask if they can look at moving your role within the same branch in the future and can you work together to plan towards that etc. If you're really unhappy then it might be worth considering taking the experience you've gained there to anther restaurant or maybe a more behind the scenes role (like argos warehouse for example) or night shift in tesco filing the shelves when it's quieter? I think what matters is you feel good in your job role.

An aside I don't know if this is helpful or not but I am very sensitive to hair removal creams and can't use them so I would have threaded or waxed any unwanted hair. It was difficult at the start but it began to return finer which made it easier on my skin longer term. Now i just embrace it as part of who I am. I decided the hair was better than the rashes and spots and irritation.

You said you didn't want to remove it but then said you have been using veet?
Just have it removed properly, threading is a good, cheap option or if you can afford it a course of laser hair removal will get rid of it more permanently.