Ok, as some of you may remember months back I planned to get dreads (explaining my natural hair colours appearance) I decided against it after much diliberation, my reasoning being as follows:-

Dreads = not good for job hunting

Well... I have a temp to perm job working for a stockbrokers (loads better than it sounds) and Im liking it there. Now I still crave dreads like a thing that craves.

Do I:-

a) ask my manager, possibly being told theyll give me the boot or simply a "no"

b) sneakily start them from braids, hoping no one really pays me attention, and If anyone raises it as an "issue" I pull the "Well you dont say anything about it in the dress code" card
[they have no rules regarding hair other than the dress code stating "clothes must be business casual and no sandals" ]

What would you do?

I really want them, but Im apprehensive as dreads are a whole different kettle of fish to dyed hair in an employers eyes, sad though this be...

I'd just ask.
If it's not allowed I think they'd appreciate that a lot more than just going ahead with it.
And it's definitely illegal to get fired for just asking a question.

Hmm, difficult, personally id go to your manager casually and mention youve been thinking bout getting dreads and youve checked the guidelines and it doesnt say against them you just wanted to see how they would be taken.

Always best to be honest with employer specially in private industry, its too easy to fire people for no decent reason.

Okay, I'm a sneak and would probably just do it, but probably asking would be better. If they don't have a strict dress code, you'd probably get away with it.

I worked for a place where I was worried they might freak about dyed hair and covered over my dark red when job hunting. Much to my surprise, there were people there who had just been hired who had piercings and the like. Oh well...

If you're bold, braid it and see if anyone says anything. Braids can be easily taken out. If they'll freak about dreads, they'll freak about "ethnic" looking braids, I think.

As long as you keep the dreads nice, I can't see why anyone would care. I've seen some really nice looking dreads. You have really long hair, so I think you could pull it off. It's different than someone who'll look like they rolled out of bed after a long night of doobin' and Dorito eatin'...LOL...

I'd ask too. Not that I have a dress code, but if an employee of mine just did something I'd be pissed off at them taking liberties. If you're not working directly with clients I'd say your employer is much more likely to let you go ahead with it.

Yeah - after more thought Ill be asking. Ill probably do it in a week or so when I go "out on the floor" doing my real job... hope they just are niceand say "of course! we wouldnt DREAM of saying no!"....

Well of course it wouldn't hurt to ask.....

When I was applying for m job at Barnes & Noble, my girlfriend told me to dye my hair natural, and to NOT ask about it or it'd cripple my chances of getting hired......

So I took my chances and went to the interview with my Electric Lizard shoulder length hair, and I got my job.....