Publix Worker's Beard Petition Grows Support

A 19-year-old Florida college student’s quest to get Publix super markets to change its stand on facial hair is growing support in leaps and bounds.

A petition on coworker.org launched by Brandon Wesley had 8,047 of the desired 9,000 signatures as of Thursday morning. The hope is that if enough people sign the petition, the Florida-based chain will review its dress code policy with an eye toward making changes.

Wesley, who has worked at a Tallahassee store since he was 16, doesn’t want a major overhaul to the policy – just a few minor tweaks.

“We should be allowed to have a beard, with limitations on how long it can be and a beard net for employees who work with foods,” Wesley wrote on the petition. He notes that GreenWise markets, a Publix spinoff, allow beards, but the main chain does not.

Wesley’s supporters, many coming from the Publix rank and file, agree with him.

See Also:

• Publix Named America’s 2nd Favorite Grocery Chain
• Trader Joe’s topples Publix in Customer Satisfaction
• Publix Snatching Up Property Throughout Florida

“As someone who works here and shave(s) every morning it sucks,” wrote Jared Y. He went on to say he’s been told “to go pay for some razors and shave on lunch or go home. Hoping this rule is changed so those of us can have a neatly trimmed beard and not be told we can’t work that day.”

Publix does allow mustaches, but beards are strictly off limits.

Customers of the store, which is often ranked among the nation’s best in consumer satisfaction, also seem to be brushed the wrong way by the policy.

“Wake up Publix,” wrote Brady T. “I’m a bearded customer. Don’t insult us by implying beards aren’t clean or acceptable when tastefully maintained.”

It is unclear at this time if Publix will revise its policy.

To check out the petition, visit coworker.org.

What are your thoughts on this? Share them by commenting below!

Patch file photo

Keep up with what’s happening around town and the state by signing up for your favorite Patch daily newsletter: Bloomingdale-Riverview, Bradenton, Brandon, Carrollwood-Northdale, Clearwater, Dunedin, East Lake, Gulfport, Land O’ Lakes, Largo, Lutz, New Port Richey, New Tampa, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Beaches, Safety Harbor, Sarasota, Seminole Heights, South Tampa-Hyde Park, St. Pete, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Westchase.