Beards have been the question in employment law lately, and
it's not good news for those hipsters who wish to express their
inner Viking and let their facial hair grow free.
The Victorian Supreme Court recently ruled Victorian police
officers need to shave off beards, goatees, drooping moustaches and
mutton chops, or leave the force. A senior constable had challenged
a 2012 order that banned police officers from having long hair,
goatees or beards on the grounds it was discrimination in the
workplace.
The court ruled in favour of the Police Commissioner, saying he
had the power to override anti-discrimination law and could
determine grooming standards for police officers.
One would hope there's an exemption for undercover cops. Try
infiltrating a bikie gang in short back and sides. The Commissioner
needs to be wary about applying the no-beard rule to Muslim or Sikh
police officers who have religious reasons for being bearded. He
could be in breach of the Equal
