UPS is making headlines this week for the right reasons — the shipping company has finally lifted its longstanding ban on natural Black hairstyles.
Previously, UPS did not allow Black employees to wear their hair in an afro or braids.
UPS also placed stringent restrictions on facial hair (no beards for most employees, and mustaches limited to above the lip’s crease). Their rules also specified how long men could wear their hair.
“These changes reflect our values and desire to have all UPS employees feel comfortable, genuine and authentic while providing service to our customers and interacting with the general public,” UPS said in a statement, adding that the company is “determined to continue to make UPS a great place to work for all of our more than 500,000 employees around the world.”
The statement continued: “Our CEO, Carol Tomé, listened to feedback from employees and heard that changes in this area would make them more likely to recommend UPS as an employer,” said UPS in its statement.
The change comes after UPS employees started a petition to change the ridiculous policy, which gathered over 9,000 signatures.
“Many United Parcel Service drivers desire to have a beard,” the petition read, “but it is strictly against the dress code because those in leadership positions at UPS believe that beards may be offensive to the public. Times have changed since the guidelines against facial hair were established. It’s the 21st century and it’s time for a change in the dress code!”
