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Your Publix cashier may soon have a new look – a beard.
On Friday, Publix said it would allow the store's employees to wear a beard, pushing back decades of clean chin tradition.
The new policy, which will come into effect Sept. 29, is the culmination of a long debate with employees on the issue.
Publix, Florida's dominant grocery chain, has begun a beard test earlier this year at North Carolina and Jacksonville stores, but is now shipping it to 1,196 stores and 190,000 employees.
Brandon Wesley, a Publix employee in Jacksonville who launched a Coworker.org petition to allow more hair on his face, said many of his colleagues would like to grow beards.
He added that friends had told him that they would not apply to the chain because of the facial hair rule.
"I am pleased to see Publix continue to listen to its employees and test new ideas and concepts as it grows," said Wesley. "Now the ball is in our court to follow the guidelines, but at least for the moment, we will look much better by doing it."
Publix, based in Lakeland, has long banned beards for its employees, with only conservative mustaches, such as the founder of the pencil mustache George Jenkins. Non-store employees, such as warehouse employees, may wear beards.
"We tested a new standard of facial hair appearance in several districts of the society that allowed male associates to wear facial hair, provided the partner maintains a neat, clean and professional appearance." Dwaine Stevens.
Wesley's online petition, launched three years ago, has collected signatures from more than 20,000 people.
The news spread quickly on Twitter and Reddit social networks as employees rejoiced over their new follicle freedom.
"Publix officially allows its employees to have beards from Saturday and I could not be more excited! Probably never catch me again, writes @John_M_Wirth.
With the growing acceptance of Florida's beard and tight labor market, it may be difficult for employers like Publix to continue to attract employees while maintaining such strict grooming standards, "said Brenda Lowman, head of Orlando's expert cabinet Top Talent Staffing.
Do you have any advice? [email protected] or 407-420-5664; Twitter, @kylelarnold or facebook.com/bykylearnold
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