Would dreadlocks be widely acceptable for a 23 year old main entering mainstream work?

[ByDearHare]

I am a mother of a 23 year old young man whom insists that dreadlocks are acceptable for mainstream work office.

I have tried to explain to my DS that he is shutting himself out of many work opportunities whom will have a dress code which he cannot dictate to.

I would appreciate very candid responses from all members of this forum.

Edit doesn't let you add pictures.

The long bits are more "dready" in other pics but could't post as not png or jpeg.

I can only imagine what you look like...

"Grow up????" Says the person only capable of starting sentences with 'bollocks'.

Tidy, culturally appropriate + combined with a smart outfit / suit - totally acceptable.

unhinged, unwashed white guy with crusty dreads and matching beard? Gonna struggle to impress any employer…

Acceptable at my workplace. As long as the person has good personal hygiene, neat, clean, smartly dressed then its all ok.

Different hair/styles and non-offensive tattoos are all acceptable.

I work in law and it would be fine with us - unless they were the minging, smelly, crusty type.

We are fairly progressive (though Top 20) firm. I haven’t seen a full suit for years 😂

Why would he be unhinged and unwashed?

It's totally acceptable these days for any hair/colour/piercing
My adult son says to me it's not 1990 now mum work places allow things like this 🤣

It’s an intentionally ridiculous caricature to make a point..

What's the point?

Exactly this!!

Civil service. No one would care

Totally acceptable if he is black, maybe not quite so much in some places if white

Is it cultural appropriation if you are not black? I don't know if the 23 year old concerned is black or white. I don't think it is really worth taking risks given we have more people looking for jobs than ever so every single last thing you can do to increase your chances is worth doing.

He should be fine as long as he adheres to any health and safety requirements and isn't vocal if he has some of the more bizarre views on here.

White people can wear their hair however they want. Just like black and brown people can.

If he is working with machinery or prepping food then he will need to wear a hat, do-rag or something to keep them safely out of the way. If not few places will care.

No problem at all in my workplace or previous (was NHS now prison healthcare). In fact I have a colleague with dreads. In my line of work you may have to tie them back to comply with infection control, but that's the case for all long hair.

YOU that said a young man needed to grow up because of the style he has his hair. If he's not black

Unless of course he's fully white and shouldn't have locs, in which case he should shave his head and grow tf up

I was questioning your stupid statement, as well you know.

How stupid to say I'm only capable of starting sentences with 'bollocks' - 🫨🫨

what the fuck does 'how I look' have to do with anything?!?!

and go on, tell me what I look like, I'd be interested to see how wrong you are.

I have a friend who is a successful barrister who has always has (quite short) dreadlocks.

This ^

It's a hairstyle and not uncommon. I see where your views come from as in the past it may have caused judgement, but thankfully most places have moved past that sort of attitude.
The only reason it would be an issue is if he isn't maintaining them and there is a hygiene problem with smelling, but otherwise there isn't any issue.

We have both males and females with them in the organisation i work for, no issues.

Depends on if they are tidy dreadlocks or unkempt - looking ones. Generally, hair that doesn't naturally form dreads (i.e very curly or Afro) had a tendency to look untidy IMO, which, depending on the workplace, could go against the interviewee.

What's mainstream office well?

*work