Beards ban is blow to job hopeful Keith
A JOB-HUNTER has been refused an interview for a vacancy — because he has a beard.
Keith Harber from Llangynin, St Clears, has been seeking work since being made redundant in April.
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Keith Harber who was refused a job interview because he has a beard
Applying online for a position as a car washer, valet work and occasional driver for Enterprise Rent-a-Car's Carmarthen branch, Mr Harber saw no mention of the company's "no facial hair" policy.
Two weeks after applying, he received a phone call inviting him to interview.
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"They asked me to attend an interview the following Monday, which was June 25," he said.
"But he asked if he could run through some bits and pieces first."
Mr Harber was asked if he had a full driving licence, and if he had any facial piercing or tattoos.
Then he was asked if he had any facial hair.
"I answered yes, I have a beard," he added.
"But then I was asked if I would be prepared to shave it off.
"I said I wouldn't, and he said 'We don't employ people with beards."
Mr Harber said he could understand the issue if he worked in a dangerous, or hygiene-related role.
"If I was a fireman, then I wouldn't have a beard," he said.
"But the appearance of my beard is fine, I keep it very trim and manageable.
"I think this smacks of some form of discrimination."
Mr Harber said he'd also phoned the company's head office, and spoken to its Managing Director.
"He confirmed that Enterprise operates a policy of no beards," he added. I said what about if I was Sikh or Hindu, and was told that they make exceptions on any medical or religious grounds."
Enterprise spokesman Spencer King, said the company does operate a "specific personal appearance policy", to promote the professionalism of employees.
"Service is a critical aspect of our business and how employees look and dress impacts customers' perception of our brand.
"It's for this reason we ask our employees to conform to a specific dress code.
"For men, this includes wearing a business suit and tie at all times, no earrings, no unkempt hair and no beards, except in circumstances where they have a religious meaning or a medical reason.
"Naturally, we always aim to be sensitive when discussing our dress requirements with new and potential employees so as not to cause unnecessary offence, but feel it is important that our appearance expectations are clearly understood from the outset.
"However, in this particular case we are in contact with the individual to determine how this could have been better communicated."
rachel.moses@swwmedia.co.uk
Comments
by Nye_Zwerk
Thursday, July 12 2012, 3:40PM
“JontoPronto
Please read my post of July 11 2012, 10:32PM”
by JontoPronto
Thursday, July 12 2012, 2:55PM
“Nye_Zwerk - Yes so my point is he would have got the job or be in a position to complain about discrimination.”
by Nye_Zwerk
Thursday, July 12 2012, 1:41PM
“JontoPronto
If you read the article you will notice that the company said it would make an exception to the rule if the job applicant wore a beard for religious reasons.”
by intelligent1
Thursday, July 12 2012, 1:28PM
“huwwuh you are a complete a**e hole.”
by JontoPronto
Thursday, July 12 2012, 11:08AM
“Why doesn't he say it's for religious grounds, then he can lawfully sue them.”
by TheMatthew
Thursday, July 12 2012, 7:51AM
“PhilEvs....perhaps he is desparate for a job, many people are but it seems that Mr Harber is prepared to get OFF his backside and take something rather than sit ON his backside and expect the taxpayer to carry the can for him.”
by PhilEvs
Thursday, July 12 2012, 12:54AM
“Clearly this man is desperate for a job...”
by Gwyddno
Thursday, July 12 2012, 12:12AM
“huwwuh
As you have gone public, explain why the "vacancy" has to be filled by someone who is clean shaven.”
by Nye_Zwerk
Wednesday, July 11 2012, 10:32PM
“In this case, the employers appear to be making an unlawful pre-condition.
From the Direct Gov website:
Indirect discrimination
Indirect discrimination is when a working condition or rule disadvantages one group of people more than another. For example, saying that applicants for a job must be clean shaven puts members of some religious groups at a disadvantage.
Indirect discrimination is unlawful, whether or not it is done on purpose. It is only allowed if it is necessary for the way the business works, and there is no other way of achieving it. For example, the condition that applicants must be clean shaven might be justified if the job involved handling food and it could be shown that having a beard or moustache was a genuine hygiene risk.”
by brochadav
Wednesday, July 11 2012, 9:45PM
“I think both parties are being unreasonable. The policy itself is flawed but if Mr Harber really wants, or needs, the job then he should be willing to shave.”