Facial hair at work

Movember

Margaret Thatcher once said she would never tolerate ‘any minister of mine wearing a beard’

However now every November (or Movember) Men are encouraged to grow moustaches to focus attention on men’s health issues like prostate cancer and other cancers. To date they have raised over £350 million and funded over 800 programmes in 21 countries. This work is improving the lives of men living with cancer or mental health issues. But has this annual event changed the attitude towards facial hair in the workplace? Facial hair at work?

So is it a good idea?

According to an article in the Telegraph newspaper it would seem not. When Jeremy Paxman briefly sported a beard last year he claims to have experienced Pogonophobia, (the irrational fear of beards). Richard Branson makes a similar claim. Does your workplace shy away from facial hair? If so here are some interesting facts to have at your fingertips:

–          People associate moustaches with power: Stand an older moustached man next to a young clean shaven man. Studies show the older one is seen to have the authority.  Reverse this and have a clean shaven older man and moustached younger man and they are deemed to be of equal standing.

–          Facial hair makes you look more aggressive.  Several studies have shown whiskered men are seen as more dominant and aggressive which could be seen by some as advantageous in the workplace.

–          More moustache means more money. In 2009 a report by the American Moustache Institute found that moustached men make on average 4.3% more than their clean shaven colleagues.

–          Growing facial hair is a sign on non-conformity.  In an office where shaving is the norm growing facial hair can be the sign of a man who isn’t afraid to think outside the box and approach things differently which again may be good for more creative roles.

–          In one study, managers looking to hire were asked to evaluate 6 male job applicants. Using a series of ink sketches. The results showed that the more positive perceptions of competency, composure, personality and attractiveness. Both social and physical – were associated with men with facial hair.

It’s very trendy right now to sport facial hair. Times have changed and many new successful young entrepreneurs have swapped the clean shaven and suited look for jeans and a beard or moustache. When celebrities like George Clooney and Ben Affleck start sporting beards and moustaches then everyone starts to think ‘if they can do it why not me’. So perhaps growing a moustache should not just be for Movember – after all if it’s good enough for George it’s got to be good enough for the rest of us!

 

Facial hair at work – Good luck.

Journey Recruitment hopes you have a great day. 

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