All I can think about is my military experience. Given the relatively triviality of the issue, squadron section commanders probably spent 20 times the effort on grooming standards that was warranted, but it seemed like there was always someone who had to push the limits, no matter where you drew them. I can well imagine HR not wanting to invite trouble by relaxing any long established rules, regardless of the merits of any underlying arguments.

So yeah, I can well imagine management saying, how much are you going to give up for beards…because it will cost them time and money…