University to enforce clean-shaven policy for foodservice employees

Syracuse University Food Services will begin enforcing a policy requiring all employees to be clean-shaven in March 2016.

Lynne Mowers, secretary to the director of SUFS, said in an email that the clean-shaven policy, which states that beards and mustaches are not allowed, has been in place for many years but has not been enforced. Exceptions will be made for religious and medical conditions, she said.

“There have been, and will continue to be, exemptions to the policy for religious and medical reasons,” Mowers said.

She added that she is not worried about this new policy affecting employees’ religious freedom. Mowers added that any employee granted an exemption due to a religious or medical condition is required to wear a beard guard while working in food preparation areas.