In recent years, more Americans have decided to get a commercial driver’s license. It’s a profession that allows people to travel and provides a reliable income. However, in recent trucking news, one trucker recently lost his job because of his hairstyle, despite truck driving being an industry that most people never thought of as having uniform requirements.

Truck driving may also have strict dress codes

According to CDL Life, Drew Harbey was recently fired from a truck driving company in Iowa. He explained to the outlet that he was “one of the top performers.” He even believed he was about to get a raise due to his performance. However, the driver was told by HR that he would need to change his hairstyle in order to continue with the company. 

According to the trucker, the vice president of HR at the truck driving company told him, “You need to either [a] buzz cut by Friday or you cannot continue employment with us.” This is despite people widely believing that truck driving provides a more flexible lifestyle.

The HR representative from the company then told him they had this requirement because of concerns about the hard hat fitting with his current hairstyle. Drew told CDL Life that he suggested ways to make the hat work, but the VP of HR insisted that he needed a buzz cut. However, Drew has special ties to his hairstyle. He says, “I have not cut my hair since the day my father passed away four years ago … My dad would braid it up for me.”

It’s also important to note that the truck driving company made trucking news previously for the same reason. The previous instance happened in 2021 with a trucker named Damon Mitchell. Since the firing, Drew has obtained legal representation and filed a civil rights complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. After filing the complaint, he can pursue further legal action. It’s unclear how widespread of an issue this is for truckers.