Your appearance means a lot in the business world. You’ll have an easier time dealing with partners and customers when you look and sound professional. How does facial hair fit into the equation? Are beards unprofessional in the modern landscape? Clean-shaven faces were once the norm, but facial hair has become more accepted in the office. Here’s what you need to know about modern customs.
Do Beards Have a Place in Business
The 20th century mainly saw clean-shaven men in media and offices because cleanliness represented professionalism. However, society has gravitated toward facial hair — especially men with professional beard styles. Some professions may discourage it, but you have more freedom to wear your beard in the workplace. In fact, there’s a good chance your boss also has one.
YouGov has tracked facial hair trends for over a decade and has seen a shift in perception. Its 2023 survey asked British men if they have facial hair and how they wear it, and the change since last decade has been drastic.
Over 60% of men in 2011 had no facial hair, but that number has dropped to 46% in the last 12 years. The proportion of men of any age with a beard and mustache has skyrocketed from around 10% to over 30%.
This trend is even more pronounced for men between 18 and 39, with over 40% of this age group sporting beards and mustaches. The beard-growing trend has also affected women, with a 13% increase in those who prefer men with beards. In 2011, 66% of British women liked a man without a beard, but that number has dropped to 36% in 2023. The survey finds that 44% of women don’t prefer either style.
Beards in the Workplace
People have become more accepting of beards and have even encouraged them in daily life. How does it translate to the workplace? A recent survey from Hims polled 500 men who have jobs.
The survey finds that 63% of respondents kept their facial hair when interviewing for their current role. About 40% sported a beard, 30% had a goatee and 20% wore a mustache. The survey also notes about 72% of respondents did not review their company’s beard policy before starting the interview. About 90% of men say their policy allows beards at work, with most saying there’s an expectation to keep their facial hair neat.
What Obstacles Do Beards Face in the Workplace?
While facial hair has become more acceptable in the workplace, some of your co-workers may still say beards are unprofessional. These obstacles demonstrate what you may have to go through with a beard.
Perception
Santa Claus is a famous jolly figure with a big beard, but even he has difficulty changing people’s perceptions. Although time has been kinder to beards, stereotypes still exist among the general population.
For instance, a 2021 Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology study examines how people see masculinity and aggressiveness in men’s beards. The results show the respondents had the best accuracy when associating bearded faces with anger and aggressiveness. Conversely, the participants had an easier time associating happy expressions with those sporting no facial hair.
This research demonstrates stereotypes still exist for guys with beards. You generally can wear facial hair in a business setting, but you must be careful not to reinforce typecasts like anger and aggressiveness.
Dress Codes
While times have changed to support beards, you may have to abide by your company’s dress code if it says you cannot wear one. Some businesses enforce this policy for professionalism, whereas others create the rules for health and safety protocols. For example, if you work in manufacturing or food services, your employer may require shaven faces to comply with regulations.
The military is another place you must comply with the beardless dress codes, but times could be changing. A 2022 report indicates the Air Force has considered allowing a quarter-inch-thick beard in a new policy. However, it’s unclear if or when the new rule will take effect.
Laws
You could argue beards are a freedom of expression, and the law should protect your facial hair. However, there isn’t much legal help on your side. Employers have the right to create dress codes and grooming standards as they see fit for their operations.
So, if the boss says you can’t have a beard, they’ll likely get away with the policy. However, the circumstances change if you wear a beard for religious reasons. Federal laws protect your beard from discrimination if it’s part of your religion.
How Can You Craft Professional Beard Styles?
The proportion of people saying beards are unprofessional has declined in recent years. However, sporting professional styles is integral to ensure your boss doesn’t say anything about your facial hair. Here are a few tips for looking acceptable in the office.
Trim Your Facial Hair
Beards can look stylish and socially acceptable until they reach a certain point — then they become scraggly and unkempt. Experts say trimmed facial hair is best for looking presentable in business casual settings. Trim it regularly to keep your beard looking its best.
If necessary, create a grooming schedule to ensure your facial hair doesn’t get out of control at any point of the week. You can save time by trimming the night before work, but the morning may be better if your beard grows fast.
Comb Your Beard
Beard length won’t be as much of an issue if you groom it wisely. For instance, use a comb to style and shape your facial hair in particular directions. This tool is also helpful in distributing beard oil and beard balm, ensuring your facial hair has adequate moisturization throughout the day. Keep a beard comb nearby to groom yourself at work and look your best for meetings.
Pick a Fitting Style
Professional beard styles vary by the guy, with some lineups looking better than others. Find the one that fits your head shape and wardrobe, as it will make your facial hair look more acceptable in a business setting. For instance, a man with a square face looks stylish with a goatee, whereas a triangular head may look better with a full beard and mustache.
Are Beards Unprofessional? Not Anymore
Beards have a complicated history in the business world. If you worked in a 1950s office, you wouldn’t see many beards because people deemed them unprofessional. However, times have changed to be more accepting of facial hair.
Beards are more common in business settings, but you must ensure yours is tidy and groomed. Some workplaces may forbid beards for health or safety reasons, so examine company policy before growing your facial hair.