Smlsrtgrl;
Absolutely nothing wrong with asking or trying to make it happen. I agree with you when you say, it all starts somewhere you are 100% correct. If there is some way to control this and make the rules consistent for everyone, hell, it might even work. I wonder how and if that could be done though. I happen to be a proponent of facial hair, I have it myself. (I do not work at UPS anymore)
Remember what the company went through with the standards for hair? If you have been around long enough you will remember how many arguments and disagreements came over the length of the hair, then the female worker came into being a more prominent figure and another challenge was faced.
At first I believe the rule was stated that the hair could not be over the collar, then someone challenged that and tried to circumvent the well meaning of the rule by having their hair stand straight up (at a very long length) and say Its not over my collar. Technically they were correct, the rule was then amended to include the phrase that the hair must be groomed in a business like manner. Then that brought another challenge to the forefront. What is the meaning of business like what it may mean to one person, may not be the same to another, also, what is business like for the female worker may not be business like for her male co-worker. You see the problem with trying to apply the rules equally? While sometimes a management person has no choice but to try and make what is good for one is good for all, they sometimes get caught in the middle. When they try applying the rules fairly to everyone they seem cold and heartless. If management tries to bend the rules a little and make an exception, your fellow teamsters will scream discrimination of one sort or another. It only takes one person to put those wheels in motion and as unfair as it seems to the majority, it will become a technical issue and more than likely (for the time being) be upheld. I have seen this happen on more than one occasion and been a part of it on several occasions as well.
On a more positive note, it has been pointed out to me in the past that the company has faced many challenges and overcome them by working together and there will be many more in the future to be faced. Lets face it; this company has overcome far tougher challenges than this one, and made it through. The challenges will continue to come before you and the company, if everyone keeps a level head and uses their common sense, a common ground solution will be reached that is good for all involved.
Michael