Do dreadlocks inhibit employment?

Im thinking about getting them, but the only thing that is holding me back is whether or not they will hurt my chances of getting a job.

Im thinking about either working as a firefighter, massage therapist, or mechanic.

Would that be a problem? How do you guys fare?

Thanks

 

Well I'm unemployed but I think thats more because the economy sucks than anything else. But I know what you mean, I am studying to be a child therapist and am slightly worried about looking professional. Though for the options you wrote I don't think it would be a problem.

 

People in today's society are very superficial... there are certain stereotypes that people dreadlocks have to live with... people have the perception that we are dirty, or homeless, or hazey headed pot smoking hippies...

it is your prerogative to show people how you are an individual and that your characteristics and skills are what make you employable and that your hair is not a negative trait.

i have seen people in all trades and walks of life with dreadlocks, however this does not mean they have not had their trials to get where they are. if you have the will and the discipline, then you will create a reality of peace and love and sustainability for yourself... then you will not be dependent on a perception of you


bless,
mg

 

on another note, i have a real hard time being employed in the service industry... but as a lifeguard i'm highly employable...

so whatever works...

 

You'll probably have trouble getting work as a firefighter with dreads, the other two professions should be fine though.

It really depends on the profession, the employer, and how you carry yourself. Some people just look raggedy, dreads or no. And some people can look professional with dreads.

 

Absolutely true especially how you carry yourself!

OP, I've not had a problem yet. Just as an example, I have 2 service jobs dealing with food/general public and just got a job as a lab tech at school.

 

yes. dreadlocks inhibit employment

 

I've never had any problem with employment.

 

ive always prefferedd self employment so ive always hired myself
but ive worked in offices , ive been on the board of a few non proffits which required having meetinmgs with polititions and fundraising with the wealthy patrons and its never been an issue
maybe at 1st meeting with religios leaders they may look at me thinking whats this dude doing here but then the sec i started talking to em things were just normal and respectful

im working on living a jobless lifestyle though, making things i can sell on the road while traveling and not being tied down to a job

 

me either cuz i wears me a hat

 

it can make things difficult but you just need to sell yourself and they will forget about the dreads

 

You won't be allowed if you want to be a firefighter probly. For safety reasons

 

Yea, if you want to be a firefighter/cop/soldier you wont be allowed to have dreads. Everything else...well, differs from employer.

 

not true i know several cops with dreads
they are african american though but i wouldnt see why that matters
and firefighters its actualy safer to have dreadsthen regular long hair because hair flares up dreads smolder at best
theres no risk of thye whole head bursting into flames (unless waxy i guess) because theyre more flame resistent.

actualy wait i do know a firefighter with dreads, but he is a smoke jumper..fighting forresst fires not hoyuse fires.

soldiers on the other hand are total conformist robots
dreads arent a safety concideration but any sign of individuality threattens the group mentality
you cant be a killing machine if you refuse to be treatted as a machine

the original concept of the military crewcut came from medivel days of hand to hand combat when the hair was grabbed as a way of subduing the enemy before beheading.
these days its pretty wrare an enemy would get close enough to touch the hair
but the practice is continued as a way of controlling and subduing the individuality of the soldier
they qll must look and dress alike and wear theyre hair alike so they will all think alike..easily controlled..the individual personalities and opinions become subdued and they become machines that follow orders at the push of a button

 

Do you personally know anyone in the military?

 

It really depends on where you live.

Where I live dreads are very common, and it doesnt seem to inhibit employment at all.

 

Firefighters cannot have facial hair and must keep their hair short for safety reasons. The main reason being that the oxygen masks will not seal properly if hair is in the way.

I have never had a problem getting a job with or without locks; most of my jobs have been supervisor/manager positions in customer service.

 

Dreads make it hard to wear protective head gear. That's why most firefighters don't wear dreads. My dad is a miner and they're not even aloud to have regular long hair because it obstructs the hard hat on their head.

And I don't like wax, but wax doesnt burn and go into flames. It just melts

And I wont even comment on all the silly things you said about the soldiers

 

:cheers2:

 

I wouldn't think it would be that much harder to get a job with dreads than if you had long hair tbh. Just put them back when you go for an interview or whatever.