It used to be that a lot of employers would have Casual Friday. It started off being a day when you could wear khakis and a polo shirt on Friday. It evolved to allow jeans and maybe even a T-shirt. At some point, a large number of employers saw that it really is OK to wear casual clothes, business doesn't suffer, and many have adopted casual clothing as the norm rather than something reserved for the end of the week.
Many people see No Shave November as Casual Friday for the face. It's become a wide-spread phenomenon, to the point that it is embraced by many who would otherwise prefer men in their workforce to be un-Bearded. As more and more men take advantage of being able to grow a Beard...even temporarily...the more employers will see that they have no legitimate reason to require or prefer that men go Beardless. No Shave November does at least three things for men who would like to have a Beard but generally don't have one: 1) it allows freedom of expression and to be in charge of one's appearance in accordance with nature; 2) it allows one to do away with the hassle of shaving every day (or every few days); 3) it sets an example to employers that there is no need to hold onto arbitrary grooming standards that have long since passed.
Speaking of grooming, as you go through No Shave November--whether you are just a NSN newbie or grow a Beard throughout the year--it's important to keep your Beard trimmed and in good health. This is especially important if you are in a corporate or professional environment. Using a quality Beard conditioner and tamer like The Beardsmith Beard Grease™ and having a professional Beardsmith™ keep your Beard, neck and cheeks trimmed up will allow you to set an example that men can be Bearded and professional at the same time. If enough of us follow that example, No Shave November will become as unnecessary as Casual Friday has become, and more men everywhere will feel the freedom to keep their Beards throughout the year.
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