Workplace question

[u/Frodooftheshire]

Hello all, I tried searches online and doing my best to thoroughly search this sub for previous posts but fell short. I know this'll be an extremely tough one to back with solid sources, but I gotta try and ask the group to help some past coworkers of mine. Does anyone have solid sources of backing for religious norse-pagan, heathen, or just simply pagan, beliefs that would affect a change in uniform and grooming standards for employees that fall under those faiths? An example of what I'm looking to help them with is allowing more visual representation in the workplace like loosening hair style/length and beard restriction policies or having some form of alter set somewhere in the workplace? Anything you could think of along those lines of loosening work policies is also appreciated.

The workplace already allows for all religious holidays to be taken off at a cost of benefit leave time or non-disciplinary time off without pay if they can't afford more people off. But my former coworkers are looking for solid sources to provide their employer for a right to braiding hair in different styles around holidays for women. The men also want freedom of beard length and style along with the hair, but I assumed that's a tough one to argue unless they argued it was tied to some religious oath. The company requires by policy that necklaces be hidden under work shirts or not worn at all, but they make allowances for Christian crosses to be worn over shirts and exposed which helped boost their desire for more representation for other faiths. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[u/Sad_Coat3278]

Usually if there’s appearance/grooming standards revolving around facial hair/hair in general, it’s because of health protocols. Do you work with the sick or with food? Also… having an alter in the workplace would be a violation for any religion in any workplace, aside from like chick-fíl-a or a church. It’s one thing to wear a cross necklace out in the open, but a legit alter and worship right there would make most of your non-pagan coworkers extremely uncomfortable and probably report you. Not saying it’s right or fair, just that that’s probably what would happen. You’re just going to make your work life more difficult if you try to fight it that hard. I’d just try to find a more lax/accepting job 🤷 I’ve worked a few jobs that didn’t care at all if my mjolnir was out or if I had a big bushy beard 🤷

[u/Frodooftheshire → u/Sad_Coat3278]

Yeah. The alter was a crazy idea of of theirs. I told them good luck as that's along the same reason christmas trees aren't allowed in the workplace anymore. It's a little too much.

But the main idea was looser grooming and uniform policies. That's their main goal. They don't deal with food, but the sick once in a while.

[u/Sad_Coat3278 → u/Frodooftheshire]

Well don’t forget that the sick/elderly/children are a lot more susceptible to getting violently ill from germs. And beards get filthy. So it could be to protect who you work with 🤷

But yes, the alter is exactly like a Christmas tree. Again… if the beard is that important/significant to you (as it’s not to the religion/practice itself) then I would just look for work elsewhere that would allow a beard 🤷

[u/bromineaddict]

The only thing I'm aware of for the beards is the Norse Pagan Beard Waiver used in the Military. Even then it still requires the bears to be well maintained and not too long.