Better to ask permission or forgiveness for this...?

Question

I want to pierce my nose, but I have landed a great job with an attorney as a legal assistant (and am studying to be a paralegal). I do want my piercing to be small, modest and "quiet". Should I ask my boss how he would feel about it (and not do it if he gives me a negative reaction)? Or just do it and hope he wont fire me? Can he fire me for something like that?
Ive seen other girls with piercings and tattoos that work in the industry...I just dont know how my boss will react.

Answer 1

You might get fired. Your new look may not fit his firm's image. Most attorneys are conservative they want people to trust them. Looking conservative helps the clients trust them.
I wouldn't get any thing pierced that shows except once in each ear lobe if you want to work in a conservative business.

Answer 2

I agree with what someone had said before. I'm a Law Undergrad and I know I wouldn't want someone with a nose piercing working for me even though I had one once upon a time. I would ask your boss first, rather than risk losing your job...and yes they can fire you for that...legally. Plus...just a little FYI, the piercing studs are pretty much a standard size that are kind of large and stick out. You'll have bleeding the first few days and it has one of the highest rates of infection among piercings. It made me tear up and I have a high tolerance for pain. If you are going to be working in an Office setting, I would shoot for a professional appearance...people still stereotype and you don't want to shoot yourself in the foot. Good luck to you!!

Answer 3

Ask first. If your not in a high visibility position it shouldn't make that much difference, but if you are in a high visibility position where the publics opinion could be affected, that could be different.

Depending on the kind of law your attorney practices, image can be very important.

Mr Rogers of the children's show was a former Navy Seal with lots of tattoos. You never saw his bare skin. Why? Moms don't trust their children around men with lots of tattoos. image does make a difference.

BTW, Captain Kangaroo was also a decorated WW2 veteran. Marine Platoon Sgt during the landing at Iwo Jimo. little trivia there.

Answer 4

Attorneys are older and more conservative, but I have seen more of tattooes and peircings in the office. Some bosses may act unreasonable about this. Some may fire you. Its better to ask first.

Answer 5

What kind of peircing? The kind that results in a tiny jewel mounted on the side of the nose? I'm an old fuddy duddy and I find those attractive. I doubt you'd have much problem with that.

Now if you have some ring or bar hanging off the tip of your nose, you are playing with fire.

Answer 6

What is more important to you--the job or the piercing? It might be better to wait until you have established yourself as an invaluable employee and an impeccable professional--that will give you more freedom and credibility. If you have JUST landed this job, I wouldn't risk it until you get a better sense of who your boss is and what he or she expects. AFTER you've established yourself as an invaluable employee, you could bring it up in a casual manner and see what the response is. They can't fire you for it, but if someone is determined, they can always find other reasons to fire you.

Answer 7

is there a code of ethics handbook that comes with the company, a dress code? you might want to ask this before you make the decision, a legal assistance is a high profile job, first impressions are key, before i made a decision of that magnitude, i would do my homework.

Answer 8

I would wait until the probation period is up, check out the human resources policy, and quietly soak up the corporate culture before you decide.

Why the rush?

Patience, grasshopper....... :)