Aspies For Freedom

Is there any way for a uk employer to force an employee to shave?

Thanks

A UK employer can give a "good reason" that you should be cleanshaven and, if it is a "good reason" in the circumstances of your employment, then it is usually upheld in a tribunal.  The only exception is for religions that mandate (not just have it as "customary" - wearing the burkah, for instance only dates back to the 1970s) beards on men.  Even then, they can ask you to trim it back and have it neat.  A tribunal would also make a distinction between "stubble" and a "beard".

What exactly is good reason? I am unable to think of any reason that makes any sense.

What is the difference between stubble and a beard?

Stubble implies that you shave sometimes but "can't be bothered" to shave all the time.  Of course there are other, sensory reasons that some aspie guys (ex. my father, my husband and who knows how many more) don't shave all the time.

"Good reason" could be that you have to look presentable in a certain way in order to have client respect and/or trust.
I used to think that my husband kinda looks like a terrorist (in his part of the world they hide out in the mountains and might not shave) when he doesn't shave.  But I got used to it. However, when he is not a student anymore, he may have to shave every day for work.

If its stubble, like designer stubble, and you have had it for some time, and maybe had it during the interview, then I don't see how they can force you.

Join a union and get advice, I cant recommend that strongly enough for all aspies.

I think designer stubble looks bad but a nicely trimmed beard (even if quite long) often improves a man's appearance. Unfortunately, in recent decades, there has been a certain amount of prejudice against men having beards and moustaches (and I won't even get started about the snide remarks made about women with noticeable facial hair).

Can employers force a woman to remove hair off her legs and underarms? I can't do these things for a medical reason and am lucky nobody has said anything to me.

My previous employer, when they did their first review on me, mentioned some areas requiring attention and one was: "unshaven appearance on occasion".

They had a thing about me being well turned out.  But for what?  I was working in a basement office alone with the two bosses, and more or less away from all other human contact.

Following that, I didn't bother about whether I was clean shaven or not.  Had to wear a shirt and tie, but such was the level of interpersonal contact that I may as well have worn a banana outfit.

A friend of mine got his first full time job in a bank. he got the boot because he wasn't wearing knee length socks and liked wearing desert boots. He pointed out (quite logically I thought) that if he was standing at the counter, the customers wouldn't see what he was wearing on his legs and feet.

I can't see anything wrong with facial hair as long as it's kept reasonably neat at work. Beards and moustaches can look distinguished and they also hide a number of facial imperfections.

The number 1 thing that should be important is cleanliness and attention to personal hygiene - bathing regularly, brushing the teeth, and washing clothes regularly.