Job telling me to remove piercing after the fact?

Question

Alright, I have been re-hired from my job that I left 2 years ago.
They contacted me and after negoitiating with them on wager and schedule, they hired me as they need my help.

Now durng the interview and paperwork - I had my piercing on and they didn't care. They did not tell me anythign about it.
Also note, my friend who has been working there for 2 years since I was gone has been working with a lip ring.

Now 10 days into the job, they are telling us both to remove it.
the excuse - "new policy"....
Both the manager and general manager don't care however this lady who has hated me from the last time is on my case and she is ruthless to everyone but the owner.
Now I spoke to the owner and he said to try my best, get a smaller labret or skin tone.. I did..I met our agreement.
The lady is now on my case again and the owner of the restuarent wont defend me now.

What right do I have?
how do I challenge this "new policy" which I think is total lie?
she simply hates me 4 personal reason.

Alright re-editing, add details from all the responce recieved:

The managers, general manager and the owner Don't care... both Owner and GM called me and hired me and didnt mind my piercing.
The lady isnt a manager but a accountant is her title...
she is best friend of the owner and corporate office.
The owner is cool however he does not know how to run his business.. he has her to run it, so anything she says, goes...
She has everyone by the balls, even the GM.. The owner said it was ok, however now the owner said it is not...
Simply she will call coporate office and go over the owner head and he in the end doesn't care...

I have the manager and GM having my back, wanting me to stay, they dont want to fire me nor for me to walk out... it is this lady who is on my case and I WISH I CAN TELL HER TO **** OFF but I can't.
She will simply call main office and have me fired in the end, over my boss and owner.
I'd submit to her if her title was manager, owner, but not a ******* accountant!

Answer 1

Legally, you can do nothing. As they can impose a dress code which you have to follow (this has nothing to do with discrimination). Take it out or find another job.

Answer 2

Companies have every right to adjust their internal policies as they see fit at anytime. You could always go to the HR / Personnel department and tell your story and ask to see the written policy.

Maybe it's something that your boss just decided to do, or maybe it's a company-wide policy. Yes, they cannot discriminate, but they can institute policies that are applied to everyone equally.

If they tell you and not the other person to remove the piercing, and you both do the same job in the same office, then that might smack of discrimination. But they're treating you both the same.

People don't always like each other at work, which just goes with the territory, but there are rules that must be followed. HR departments will step in if they find a situation that's blatently illegal or could lead to possible lawsuits. So I would suggest you talk to them and see what they say.

If you don't get satisfaction from them, then you have 2 choices: Put up with the new policy and look for other employment, or quit before they fire you.

Answer 3

My advice would be try and talk again to managers and owners and see if you can come to an understanding. Keep cool and try and find out the owners' reason for this new policy. Express again strongly but politely how strong you feel about keeping the piercing but bite the bullet and try and make another compromise. Keep the conversation always positive. Don't make it a "she's out to get me" speech. Even if she is out to get you, take the high ground otherwise it may look like you may be the one with the problem. Maybe they would agree to you using a clear labret retainers at work. Try and get it in writing or have the policy changed. If that does not work, start to consider the pros and cons of how much it is worth to you to work there versus the keeping the lip piercing. If you decide it is time to leave, then do not make a fuss and thinking that this woman has won. Don't give them ammo to use against you when you interview with your next employer. Just think that that this company is still stuck with her and lost you.

Answer 4

If they have a policy and procedures hand book, a legally binding document that gives you the requirements of employment that states something about piercings and they gave you a copy of it then you are out of luck. Even if they didn't give you a copy it is your word against theirs that they did. IF they don't have a policies and procedures handbook that states it then you can sue for discrimination and unlawful grounds for termination IF YOU have the funds to support it. If you want someone to have your back and make sure your rights are protected take a look at my protecting your family blog and contact me ASAP as it would be better to have before the fact...

They are your rights, but unfortunately it is going to cost you to defend them... so why not do it for less and get a host of other benefits as well....

Good luck either way...

Answer 5

Things like peircings, tattoos, and hairstyles are usually addressed by employers through a written dress code. Unfortunaly not all employers have a written dress code that they make thier new hirees read and sign, but they can still decide whats appropriate and whats not. They can even do this without prior notice. What i would do if i were you is go directly to your boss and find out what is ok and what is not. Just tell him or her that you just want to be clear on what the policies are so that you dont violate them. This will let your boss know that your not trying to challenge his authority, but you would like some clear information. Ask him or her if there is a written dress policy and if you can have a copy of it to refer to. If they do have one and it does not cover your particular peircing ask if they would please add in the rules regarding your piercing. This way you and your boss are both informed on the policy. Doing that will help you out later in case that lady who you say doesnt like you tries to find something wrong with your hairstyle/tattoo/piercings/jeans and claims its againts the policy. But you can refer her to the company's written dress policy where it shows that there is nothing wrong with you hair/tattoo/piercing etc. And although employers dont neccesarily have to let you have a piercing , or have a written dress code, they MUST apply the same rules to all employees equally. So in a nutshell, your boss can make whatever policy he wants but it must apply to ALL the employees. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Tough situation. I guess what it boils down to is that even though "this lady" (who you don't mention as being in any kind of management position) may be doing things for personal reasons, you still have to conform to new policy. Many companies have strict policies on facial piercings. Perhaps instead of challenging the new policy, speak with your manager alone without being confrontational. Ask yourself: is your job worth a lip ring?

Answer 7

You don't own the company. Since you don't own the company you don't care how you and your friend are perceived by customers. I can assure you the owner does and wants his employees to present the best image possible.

After reading the above, I can assure you, you would not be hired by my company. All applicants have to answer three questions in essay form. Poor grammer and the inability to express themselves coherently eliminiates them immediately. Other qualifications do not matter. They represent my business and the ability to communicate with customers is of the most importance.

If you don't like the policies then leave and start your own business. Represent yourself to your customers any way you want. Then it will be your livelyhood at risk and not your current employers.

Answer 8

Its a piercing...

What would you rather have a JOB or a piercing? I think that ther are far more important things that you could be worring about than that. I understand that some bosses can be a PITA. But sence she told both of you to take it out, I dont see the problem. In a world with obvious bigger problems a piercing seems so small.

Answer 9

If they need your help so bad then it shouldnt matter what piercings you have. They should have mentioned it as it was misleading to hire you to get what THEY needed from you and now that they have you, it looks like they think you are not going anywhere. Just stick with the piercing.

I have a friend who had tons of piercings and the most her job did was make her cover it with a band aid. So stupid, there are more important things to worry about!

Good Luck!

Answer 10

You are so ghetto. Remove the piercings.
I work as a professional in a hospital and we were instructed to remove our fake nails by a certain date or be terminated. The hospital paid for the nurses to have their fake nails (bacteria breeding spears) removed.
We did it to keep our jobs and it was an infection issue.
Choose, either remove your piercing or lose your job.
You are imagining she dislikes you. What the heck did you do, refuse her sexual advances? Come on get real.
She just wants to put forth a professional front. She don't really have anything against you unless you been bangin her.

Answer 11

Well, it's hard to swallow, but they are the bosses and every job has policy changes constantly. They are paying you and have the right to set policy and enforce it.
Yes, there seems to be a ***** like that at every job in the world. She is on a power trip. Wants to feel like she is really important even though she is a slut.