Being Told "how To Look" At Work

[buffymad]

My other half is a maintenance man for a shopping centre. The big manager (not his direct manager) has said he's not happy about him having stubble and to shave it off!! Now it's not messy or anything and quite short stubble rather than a beard. There's nothing in his contract that says his he has to look at work so I was wondering if the big manager can actually enforce this?

Just to tell you what he's like, other half is also being told off for being dirty ... despite being asked to do jobs which involve working with cement, digging into the ground and soil etc!!!

[jomifl]

I must say I am surpised at how grubby some of our bin men are and there is sometimes a distinct niff when they are around.

[viv41]

He sounds like a workplace bully to me. Could your OH not have a word with his direct manager or personnel ?

[melv16]

Your O/H should ask the company for a uniform. Regarding the stubble. It's none of the manager's business.

[Islay]

Depends on what his contract states!

There are some requirements if you are seen by the public to be clean etc especially if you work in hotels, but that is normally written into people's contracts.

[trt]

## I must say I am surprised at how grubby some of our bin men are and there is sometimes a distinct niff when they are around. ##

jomifl,

Bin-men deal with all sorts of waste, and some that shouldn't be in the wheelie bins, suits, so do you expect them to wear pinstripe suits?

As for them having a distinct niff, do you get that near to them, or can you smell them from inside your home?

[bhg481]

trt - I think you forgot to switch on your chuckle muscle this morning.

[aelmpvw]

i'm guessing jomifl was being facetious

[bhg481]

you and me both, aelmpvw

[RandyMarsh]

If he is customer facing and the manager wants a certain standard then he can ask for it. What does his contract say?

[buffymad]

He's got a uniform. Which gets dirty coz of the work he's doing! He doesn't have anything to do with the customers so that's not a problem. His contract doesn't say a dicky bird about his appearance!! The man is like that with everyone. He was surprised to hear that it would be pointless painting a step in the rain as the paint would run ... I kid you not!!

His direct manager does try to back him up but has also said this bloke just won't listen and wants it all his way.

[baza]

Sounds like a bully to me, suggest OH contacts HR.

[Captain2]

I've had a designer stubble/3 day growth beard (call it what you will) for over 40 years now. It can look scruffy IF the edges are not shaved to a clear cut line; so when I trim it down out comes the razor as well. Does your OH keep his like that? If so then the boss can't complain, especially if not in his contract.

[buffymad]

It's probably not quite as neat as yours Captain, but he does shave around every 3/4 days in any case. What would happen if he wanted to grow a short beard? I always thought that made people look more grown up and serious anyway!!!!

[Peter Pedant]

I think it depends on the customer contact

if you are working front desk then I think it does matter how you look ( and smell )

ya doan wanna say - "follow me" and think well even a blind man will be able to track me by my smell ....

so for the unshaven I would say I am sorry youre gonna have to shave
and any protest I would produce one of those blueys with the words " well I have brought one in for you " They rip the hair out and take a bit of the skin as well ....one use only hur hur hur

and yeah one - I had to say I am sorry if you are dealing with customers I am afraid you are gonna have to turn up to work with your teeth in .....

bouncers no I did not run a bouncing firm have to bathe once a week
even if they dont need to ....

[Ellipsis]

If your OH has been in this job for less than two years then be very cautious - he can be fired for almost no reason.

If he has been in the job for more than two years then it comes down to what is in his contract of employment.

[Peter Pedant]

Ellipsis
I am almost sure if he can't turn up to work in a jock-strap if his contract is silent as it pretty likely will be on dress....

I am not sure if this is a legal case and not one based and to be solved by sensible negotiation

[Ellipsis]

Just trying to give practical advice, PP ... best not to get into a dispute with your boss if you have been there less than two years.

[douglas9401]

Either shave or grow beard. He's not George Clooney and in any case we have one of those.
Stop moping about the place like he can't be arsed.
That's my unconsidered opinion.

[cassa333]

I do not see a problem with a manager asking or even demanding to an extent, a reasonable dress and personal appearance standard.

Although mine is not a legal answer in any way, why is it that it seems a predominantly male problem of being told what to do? Why doesn't he want to shave? What is it that he thinks he is losing control of if he has to listen to the manager? Sometimes in life we just have to SUCK IT UP and nod our heads and get on with it.

A clean uniform every day, a shave and a sweet smelling bath does it.