A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Ouch.

Kivaka sends in these very gross pictures of a scarring, swollen, and oozing Madonna piercing he had to remove. Now, on one hand it’s the fault of the person pictured, because they allowed the piercing to get so irritated. But on the other hand, it’s the fault of their employer, who forced (lest they be fired) them to take the piercing in and out every single day because of a “no piercings at work” policy.

I’m loathed to tell private employers how to run their business, because I feel that they do have a right to dictate dress code down to the specifics. However, they need to realize that a “take your piercing out at work” way of thinking really isn’t limited to “work”. In the vast majority of cases, taking the piercing in and out constantly will destroy it… Thus these “work” policies also aggressively dictate how the employees dress on their off time.

Comments

104 responses to “Ouch.”

  1. Bear Avatar
    Bear

    I work in a place that handles food products (not fast food). We have strict policies regarding any jewelry altogether. This includes, earrings, facial piercings, watches, and rings. We can’t chew gum or have things in our pockets for fear of something falling out into the product. I could imagine one day I’m at home and pouring out a box of cereal and a piece of metal that was once in someone’s ear plopped into my bowl. I would be devastated, sickened, and on the phone to my lawyer and the FDA.

    I’ve had piercings, I know many people that do. They fall out, they get lost. It happens.

    How many of you that complain about your bosses not liking your piercings work at Taco Bell or Dominoes?

    If you don’t like your boss, or your workplace policies, go somewhere else. Its pretty fricken simple.

  2. Bear Avatar
    Bear

    I work in a place that handles food products (not fast food). We have strict policies regarding any jewelry altogether. This includes, earrings, facial piercings, watches, and rings. We can’t chew gum or have things in our pockets for fear of something falling out into the product. I could imagine one day I’m at home and pouring out a box of cereal and a piece of metal that was once in someone’s ear plopped into my bowl. I would be devastated, sickened, and on the phone to my lawyer and the FDA.

    I’ve had piercings, I know many people that do. They fall out, they get lost. It happens.

    How many of you that complain about your bosses not liking your piercings work at Taco Bell or Dominoes?

    If you don’t like your boss, or your workplace policies, go somewhere else. Its pretty fricken simple.

  3. blutkind Avatar
    blutkind

    i know this may sound stupid, but is it possible to just put a bandaid over it (with the piercing still in ofc) if it is in such a bad condition)? this idea just popped into my head, while being really tired, so maybe it’s not very good, i’m just asking.

  4. blutkind Avatar
    blutkind

    i know this may sound stupid, but is it possible to just put a bandaid over it (with the piercing still in ofc) if it is in such a bad condition)? this idea just popped into my head, while being really tired, so maybe it’s not very good, i’m just asking.

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