Can an employer force you to shave your neatly trimmed beard?

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Can an employer force you to shave your neatly trimmed beard?

After working for a company for 2 years, a manager told me, I had to shave my neatly trimmed goatee that I have had for 15 years. I was hired with the beard and have kept it closely trimmed. He said it was because I now was doing service, however I have been doing service for the last full year and there was no problem with my beard.

Asked on May 1, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Texas

Answers:

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 5 years ago | Contributor

Unless you wear this beard due to religious reasons, your employer can mandate that you shave it. The fact is that a company can set the conditions of employment much as it sees fit, absent some form of legally actionable discrimination. Accordingly, unless you have the right to grow a beard under the terms of an employment contract or union agreement, you must shave it. If you don't, you can be terminated, with or without notice

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 5 years ago | Contributor

Unless you wear this beard due to religious reasons, your employer can mandate that you shave it. The fact is that a company can set the conditions of employment much as it sees fit, absent some form of legally actionable discrimination. Accordingly, unless you have the right to grow a beard under the terms of an employment contract or union agreement, you must shave it. If you don't, you can be terminated, with or without notice.


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