While is seems more companies are loosening up around the collar, there's still an unprofessional stereotype that men with long hair in business face. Even today there are plenty of jobs and companies saying no-go on the flow.
Long hair is perfectly acceptable in a professional setting, you just need to style it.
If your hair- straight, curly or in between is messy and knotted, falls on your face and eyes and interferes with your job in any way (working on food industry for example); then it may be unprofessional.
Here are some potential risks associated with long hair: Tangles and Breakage: Long hair is more prone to tangling, which can lead to breakage and damage if not properly managed. Safety Risks: - Machinery: Long hair can get caught in machinery, tools, or equipment, posing a risk of injury.
For an interview, your hair should be neat, recently trimmed, and not something you play with. Ultimately, the hairstyle should be forgettable.
REFLECTS YOUR PROFESSIONALISM
During a job interview, it's essential to ensure that your interviewer sees you as a professional. Your hair tells a story about your personality and how you take professionalism.
Protection from Head Injuries
Also, OSHA regulations require employers to ensure that workers cover and protect long hair to prevent it from getting caught in machine parts such as belts and chains.
California law protects employees' hair and hairstyles – The CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair)
In California, protections against hair-based discrimination in the workplace are enshrined in the “Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair” (CROWN) Act, which was signed into law on July 3, 2019.
Chignons and ponytails are the all-time favorite professional hair styles. Safely held in place with hair spray, these hairdos are perfect for professional settings whether they are worn sleek or curly, open or braided, parted or not. Best of all, these hair styles can be modified in no time at all.
Tight, high updos, extensions, and straightening are all risky choices. Less damaging options are loose, low, and natural styles. You know all too well that bleach and heat styling are the notorious villains of hair damage, wreaking havoc on your locks and causing brittle strands and split ends.
What length of hair is considered long? If your strands reach past your armpits, it's considered long. You can opt for a mid-back length cut or grow it out to your tailbone for extra-long flair.
If your hair is naturally curly, your employer cannot tell you to straighten it. If you want to use braids, twists or locks, they cannot tell you to take them out. Provided that it is what's deemed a natural hairstyle for you based on your race or culture.
After all, plenty of people in leadership roles have long hair, too. "It's really up to you what you want to do with your hair — I know plenty of CEOs with long hair, and they're all well-respected and thought of as more than competent," wrote Nina Semczuk.
California is the first US state to ban employers from discriminating against employees or applicants because of their hair texture and “protective" hairstyles like braids, locks, twists, cornrows and Afros.
Religions such as Orthodox Judaism, Rastafarianism, and Sikhism all prohibit haircuts, the removal of facial hair, or a combination of the two due to beliefs that hair is sacred or a gift from God.
With the right approach to styling and clear communication, you can wear your hair long and still be seen as the capable, professional individual you are.
If you have long hair, it needs to be controlled so it stays on your head and out of machinery. The best way to do this is to pull it up in a bun or other style and put it under a hair net. If you have really long hair or wear a pony tail, you may need two hair nets to hold it properly.
Machinery and equipment can expose workers to pinch-points or nip hazards. And it's not just workers' hands or fingers that can get caught in these hazards'clothing, hair, jewelry and even PPE can also becoming entangled.
When attending a job interview, you want to make sure that your interviewer sees you as a professional. Your hairstyle should align with the job you are applying for. For instance, if you are interviewing for a job in a corporate firm, it is best to go for a sleek and sophisticated look, avoiding messy hairstyles.
Is it better to have our hair up or down for an interview? CCG: My take is that it's more important to feel comfortable and confident. So if you are more confident with your hair out of your face and up in a ponytail, do it. If you feel more confident with your hair down, do that.