Qantas’ new no-beard policy for pilots, citing oxygen mask safety, has sparked debate over how far employers can control staff appearance.

HR expert Jonathon Woolfrey tells Phil that while appearance rules are valid for safety or operational reasons, they must be lawful, reasonable, and not infringe on personal identity.

Blanket bans on things like beards, tattoos, or hairstyles risk legal trouble, staff backlash, and damage to workplace trust.

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