Facial Piercings...?

Question

in a professional work environment? I have 3 facial piercings and I'm a librarian. We got a new district manager and he personally don't like tham and asked me to remove them. I have had them for a long time. I was hired with them, they do not interfere with my ability to do my work, and I have NEVER received a complaint about them in the 4 yrs I've worked here. Any suggestons?

"dude your a goth you have to many facial piercings and wear black nail polish take it allllllll off or leave your job to working at hot topic"

Dude!! I'm NOT goth. I am a WELL educated mother of 2. I'm asking for useful advice, not to be bashed because I have a style YOU don't agree with.

Answer 1

Ask him for a copy of the company's dress code. There probably isn't one. If there isn't and he is allowed to dictate an "unofficial" dress code for his department(s) then you are out of luck. If there is a dress code and it says zero about piercings you will still have to do what he says but it might behoove you to point out that currently there is no written policy against this. Don't worry - they will add it on in no time!
The bottom line is this: Businesses have the right to dictate what is and isn't professional appearance at their organization....they also have the right to change policies and procedures as they deem necessary as often as they deem necessary. Unless you belong to the Church of Body Modification AND have a sincerely held religious belief that you have to have these piercings in at all times and "spacers" are not acceptable then you have no case. Even if you do have all that you probably wouldn't win in a lawsuit. Get some spacers and call it good or start updating that resume.
By the way, the people who are telling you that if you were hired under one set of circumstances then they can't change them don't know what they are talking about. Business changes EVERY DAY. Change with it or you will find yourself without a job, it is that simple.

Answer 2

It is really your choice, because it depends what kind of facial piercing, how big it would be etc. etc. something small is always nice, and if you don't end up liking it...you can always take it out and leave the skin to grow over. I would say A though because I don't think it really helps anyone's image

Answer 3

Manager? The manager doesn't run things, does he? Check with your real boss and ask him about it. I'm sure he'll be very busy but still, you need to ask. If you wanted facial piercings then you got them and why all of a sudden take them down now? So maybe you three need to have a talk about that. That's what I would do.

Answer 4

I can understand how you feel and its your personal preference to wear what you like..but sometimes we have to compromise... and unfortunately I dont think you will win with regards to his thoughts...he's the Area Manager and can make life uncomfortable for you or even worse give you sufficient warnings regarding dress code that you eventually lose your job....you've got to weigh the pros and cons before you decide what to do.

I know it seems unfair but we all have these little power crazy people we have to work with.... and yes we would like to tell them to all jump in the river (or much worse).. but !!!!

Answer 5

Hmmmm
I'd be pretty damned pissed off if I were you!!
But what to do?? That's a great job...don't want to lose it!
Yet, he could have you fired?
When I see people with body art, it makes me feel happy and sometimes I even compliment people on particularly edgy and interesting work! ...So, this dour sod with a vicker's attitude comes along and just like that, YOU have to bow to HIS gods of fear!
Again...What to do? Hmmmm.
I've got an idea!
Go skinheaded! That would look bitchin!
Tell him you got lice and had to shave off your hair.
Then later, tell him you've got a scalp condition and need to keep your hair shaven off and wigs just cause an allergic reaction!
That could be your new look, and he could'nt do squat about it!!
Good luck!!

Answer 6

Nobody has complained because you scare them to the core. Facial piercings are anti-social but if you wore them to the job interview and they still hired you then you can legitimately file a discrimination lawsuit/complaint.

Answer 7

Tell em to SOD off. There is nothing unprofessional about piercings. You know what is?...you boss wearing a double-breasted suit, a brown belt and black shoes. Now....that is offensive :P

Answer 8

Express what you just wrote here to your district manager.I'm a retail store manager and have 2 holes on my left ear but it is not accepted to wear earrings at work.So I don't.Good Luck.

Answer 9

i don't think he can make you taken them out because you were hired in with them, known as a grandfather clause. If you don't have a contract, and you work in a state that has "at will employment" ie you want to be there, you may want to take them out or find a new job.

Answer 10

i don't think he can legally tell you to remove them because you had them when you were hired; they knew what you looked like when you we hired, and that's when any rules/policies should've been discussed. do you belong to a union? if so, contact your union steward, or the h.r. person with your job.
that happened to me also, when i was teaching special ed, and they could not force me to remove my piercings because i had 'em when they hired me. (my autistic students loved my piercings. lol.) good luck with this!! walmart is even allowing facial piercings on their employees now.