Dan writes me, saying, “I’ve run into some what I feel is an unfair treatment in my work place recently,” with the following picture attached:
I couldn’t agree more, and he explains,
I work at a grocery store as a cashier and have been working there for almost two years. I was hired with my lip pierced, and up until recently has never been a problem. We recently received two new managers and a lot of things have started to change — one of these things is the enforcement of a “NO FACIAL PIERCINGS” policy. We are forced to take them out or cover them up while at work. Taking them out is not a convenient solution since I have seamless rings, and as anyone who has used them in the past, they are a bitch to remove. I am forced to cover my rings with a disgusting band-aid or medical tape. This draws even more attention to them than not covering them at all. The band aid barely even covers anything and irritates my skin terribly. I feel that they are trying to humiliate us into taking our piercings out. I talked to the union and human resources about the issue and apparently the piercing rule was in the employee handbook that we signed when we were hired, though I have yet to see one of these handbooks.
You know, outside of “right and wrong” issues, and in my view of the world, the store is very much in the wrong here, there’s a real aura of idiocy that embraces this policy. As Dan points out, a couple piercings with an obnoxious bandage placed over them is far more upsetting looking to customers (whether they like or dislike piercings) because it sends the message that there’s something wrong with the piercing. And, as he also points out, being forced to do this daily endangers his health, so it’s ridiculous, offensive, and counter-productive on every level… but, sadly, in most States, it’s a fact of life for all-too-many people.
Finally, Dan asks,
I just wanted to know if anyone else has had similar problems in the workplace with their mods, and if anyone else has any more ideas that I could try to sway their policies?
Comments
436 responses to “Oh, that’s much more appealing…”
i read through these comments and noticed that yes, times are starting to change. while some companies are still being tards and not hiring and/or firing people due to their mods, a lot of companies are starting to accept this. i believe that the reason for this is that the baby boomers are starting to retire. this means more jobs for our generation. and since we have grown up very open-minded, we get to start making the rules about mods.
mods ARE beginning to be more accepted. it just takes time. another 20 years and i believe that mods won’t be a problem AT ALL.
i read through these comments and noticed that yes, times are starting to change. while some companies are still being tards and not hiring and/or firing people due to their mods, a lot of companies are starting to accept this. i believe that the reason for this is that the baby boomers are starting to retire. this means more jobs for our generation. and since we have grown up very open-minded, we get to start making the rules about mods.
mods ARE beginning to be more accepted. it just takes time. another 20 years and i believe that mods won’t be a problem AT ALL.
Basically, I work at Mac Don’s (Mc Donald’s) and they have a no piercing policy. I have to put band-aids on my snakebites… And I work in the back, where I’m not even seen by the guy ordering a Big Mac… If it offends the customers that much, maybe I should personally take the food to their table- you know, dance around a bit. Maybe after that display they’ll stop going to our establishment.. ha
Won’t bother me any.
Basically, I work at Mac Don’s (Mc Donald’s) and they have a no piercing policy. I have to put band-aids on my snakebites… And I work in the back, where I’m not even seen by the guy ordering a Big Mac… If it offends the customers that much, maybe I should personally take the food to their table- you know, dance around a bit. Maybe after that display they’ll stop going to our establishment.. ha
Won’t bother me any.
I work in a well known venue as bar staff, and was told in my interview that there was a strict no piercings policy. Nothing was mentioned about tattoos, which I thought would also be a problem, since I have one on my neck (and one on my hip, but it isn’t visible). I got a retainer for my lip piercing, but a lot of time I “forget” to change it now. It’s mostly not mentioned to me because I’m a hard worker. It’s actually the more junior people who would say it to me, my managers don’t really care because they know I’m doing my job. I get more grief over wearing skinny jeans than for my piercing, to be honest.
I work in a well known venue as bar staff, and was told in my interview that there was a strict no piercings policy. Nothing was mentioned about tattoos, which I thought would also be a problem, since I have one on my neck (and one on my hip, but it isn’t visible). I got a retainer for my lip piercing, but a lot of time I “forget” to change it now. It’s mostly not mentioned to me because I’m a hard worker. It’s actually the more junior people who would say it to me, my managers don’t really care because they know I’m doing my job. I get more grief over wearing skinny jeans than for my piercing, to be honest.
i work in a large nationwide shop, British Home Stores (BHS). when i had my interview, (which was a group interview) i had snakebites and no tattoos. i always took my snakebites out because in my previous retail job i’d had to do the same. several months down the line, one hole got sore so i gave up on it, few more months and i just forgot to take the other out but no one batted an eyelid. so i kept leaving my lip piercing in and no ones ever mentioned it. but then it was never said to me that i had to remove facial piercings.
tattoos is a different matter altogether. a few years ago i started on my half sleeve, with a little carebear that my 3/4 sleeve shirt covered. i asked my assistant manager at the time if, in the summer, i would be ok wearing short sleeved shirts, she said yes so i carried on with the half sleeve safe in the knowledge that it would ok.
so i get half way covered (my arm) and it’s roasting hot, come to work in a shiort sleeved shirt and my department manager flips at me telling me i have to wear long sleeves. so off i trudge to the assistant manager, who confirms this… even though she said it was ok before. apparently some customers may find my tattoos (carebears, hearts stars flowers, my little ponys!) OFFENSIVE. idiots.
nowadays if its hot and i want to wear short sleeves i have to wear a tubey grip, which is really for supports joints etc and is a cream coloured stretchy thing. it looks ridic. i always get customers asking me why im wearing it, is my tattoo manky, do i hate it, what is it of, have i hurt my arm.
on top of my half sleeve ive since gotten my dogs pawprint on my inner wrist, a sizeable umbrella on my inner forearm and a mighty boosh gimp face on my foot.
these have never been mentioned. so ive drawn a conclusion that its ok to have tattoos stood on their own, but as soon as you start making them cover whole arms etc, its naughty.
no i dont understand it either. but i enjoy my job (im hardly ever on the tills) and can put up with covering my upper arm some of the time.
i work in a large nationwide shop, British Home Stores (BHS). when i had my interview, (which was a group interview) i had snakebites and no tattoos. i always took my snakebites out because in my previous retail job i’d had to do the same. several months down the line, one hole got sore so i gave up on it, few more months and i just forgot to take the other out but no one batted an eyelid. so i kept leaving my lip piercing in and no ones ever mentioned it. but then it was never said to me that i had to remove facial piercings.
tattoos is a different matter altogether. a few years ago i started on my half sleeve, with a little carebear that my 3/4 sleeve shirt covered. i asked my assistant manager at the time if, in the summer, i would be ok wearing short sleeved shirts, she said yes so i carried on with the half sleeve safe in the knowledge that it would ok.
so i get half way covered (my arm) and it’s roasting hot, come to work in a shiort sleeved shirt and my department manager flips at me telling me i have to wear long sleeves. so off i trudge to the assistant manager, who confirms this… even though she said it was ok before. apparently some customers may find my tattoos (carebears, hearts stars flowers, my little ponys!) OFFENSIVE. idiots.
nowadays if its hot and i want to wear short sleeves i have to wear a tubey grip, which is really for supports joints etc and is a cream coloured stretchy thing. it looks ridic. i always get customers asking me why im wearing it, is my tattoo manky, do i hate it, what is it of, have i hurt my arm.
on top of my half sleeve ive since gotten my dogs pawprint on my inner wrist, a sizeable umbrella on my inner forearm and a mighty boosh gimp face on my foot.
these have never been mentioned. so ive drawn a conclusion that its ok to have tattoos stood on their own, but as soon as you start making them cover whole arms etc, its naughty.
no i dont understand it either. but i enjoy my job (im hardly ever on the tills) and can put up with covering my upper arm some of the time.
oh yeh i forgot, i used to have my ears stretch to 20mm too and that was fine.
oh yeh i forgot, i used to have my ears stretch to 20mm too and that was fine.
oh wow i’ve read through every single comment. and learnt lots… 😀
haha. i have waaaay too much spare time!
oh wow i’ve read through every single comment. and learnt lots… 😀
haha. i have waaaay too much spare time!
Working in a resturaunt def. did not fly well with me, having to cover everything up. I quit after a year.
Working in a resturaunt def. did not fly well with me, having to cover everything up. I quit after a year.
I worked at KFC for about 13 months, mostly at the age of 15. I noticed a few girls had their nostrils pierced, so I brought it up with the manager and she said that it wouldn’t be a problem, so I went ahead and had it pierced.
About a month later, new rule, no jewellry at all, including lobes.
Being a bit oblivious at the time, I took it out for a few hours to work, and was allowed to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes or so to put it in and out, to avoid closing up.
This became really painful, so I invested in a retainer. No one noticed, except for one supervisor, who made me take it out.
A day short of my 16th birthday, I had my other nostril pierced, and on the same day, got a new job as a check-out chick at Coles. I originally wore the retainer in one of them, then forgot one day, and I was complimented on how nice and symmetrical they looked all day.
I worked at KFC for about 13 months, mostly at the age of 15. I noticed a few girls had their nostrils pierced, so I brought it up with the manager and she said that it wouldn’t be a problem, so I went ahead and had it pierced.
About a month later, new rule, no jewellry at all, including lobes.
Being a bit oblivious at the time, I took it out for a few hours to work, and was allowed to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes or so to put it in and out, to avoid closing up.
This became really painful, so I invested in a retainer. No one noticed, except for one supervisor, who made me take it out.
A day short of my 16th birthday, I had my other nostril pierced, and on the same day, got a new job as a check-out chick at Coles. I originally wore the retainer in one of them, then forgot one day, and I was complimented on how nice and symmetrical they looked all day.
I work with the general public doing retail, and here, even in Portland Oregon, where they like to ‘keep Portland weird’, you still many restrictions as to what you can and cannot show. The winters are fine to wear long sleeves, but the summers are really a bummer having to cover up. Piercings are another issue altogether, and besides the ears, no other piercing are allowed to be seen at work.
I work with the general public doing retail, and here, even in Portland Oregon, where they like to ‘keep Portland weird’, you still many restrictions as to what you can and cannot show. The winters are fine to wear long sleeves, but the summers are really a bummer having to cover up. Piercings are another issue altogether, and besides the ears, no other piercing are allowed to be seen at work.
I work at a local predominately southern restaurant called Jack’s Family Restaurant. I was hired with gauges and it was never really a problem until one of my managers commented that I was getting them too big. Mine are only 1/2in now, I went down two sizes. I’m fortunate that the handbook said “No larger than the Diameter of a nickle” However I recently got an industrial in my left ear and I can no longer wear my gauges to work, they wont let me wear the bar for my industrial either, I have to use labret studs in my holes and they constantly give me hell about having multiple holes in one ear. I have to keep the top one covered at all times. One of my co-workers was hired with tattoos, and they made him wear long sleeves to work everyday. They claim they didn’t notice them when he got hired, which I know is crap because I saw them during his interview. Even though there is nothing in the handbook to my knowledge about tattoos, they wont hire anyone with visible ones. They also wont allow anyone with “Un-naturally” colored hair. I found that out when I came in one day with lightly colored pink tips and they sent me home.
I work at a local predominately southern restaurant called Jack’s Family Restaurant. I was hired with gauges and it was never really a problem until one of my managers commented that I was getting them too big. Mine are only 1/2in now, I went down two sizes. I’m fortunate that the handbook said “No larger than the Diameter of a nickle” However I recently got an industrial in my left ear and I can no longer wear my gauges to work, they wont let me wear the bar for my industrial either, I have to use labret studs in my holes and they constantly give me hell about having multiple holes in one ear. I have to keep the top one covered at all times. One of my co-workers was hired with tattoos, and they made him wear long sleeves to work everyday. They claim they didn’t notice them when he got hired, which I know is crap because I saw them during his interview. Even though there is nothing in the handbook to my knowledge about tattoos, they wont hire anyone with visible ones. They also wont allow anyone with “Un-naturally” colored hair. I found that out when I came in one day with lightly colored pink tips and they sent me home.
ive been told to take out my piercings in my ears and cover up my tattoo, now ive found out their is no policy on tats in my workplace but my boss is “all about appearences” my lip healed up because of him but its okay for everyone else to have their nose pierced and not my tat on show? its only got “mother,father,sister” on it. Nothing else, i nearly had a panic attack in work because i was too hot in my jacket and he said it was my fault so he had the cheek to order me a new uniform, a long sleeved shirt and jacket for summer!
ive been told to take out my piercings in my ears and cover up my tattoo, now ive found out their is no policy on tats in my workplace but my boss is “all about appearences” my lip healed up because of him but its okay for everyone else to have their nose pierced and not my tat on show? its only got “mother,father,sister” on it. Nothing else, i nearly had a panic attack in work because i was too hot in my jacket and he said it was my fault so he had the cheek to order me a new uniform, a long sleeved shirt and jacket for summer!
I work at coles supermarkets and i have a lip piercing and half my head is blue. They have a problem with my hair even though i get so many comments on it saying it looks great. I work my arse off everyday and nearly everyweekend and have been employed for almost 4years, only now they are starting to kick up a stink about it, ive had multicolored hair threwout my employment, its really upsetting to know that all they are seeing is my hair and not all the hours im putting in for a company that doesnt give a dam about there employers
I work at coles supermarkets and i have a lip piercing and half my head is blue. They have a problem with my hair even though i get so many comments on it saying it looks great. I work my arse off everyday and nearly everyweekend and have been employed for almost 4years, only now they are starting to kick up a stink about it, ive had multicolored hair threwout my employment, its really upsetting to know that all they are seeing is my hair and not all the hours im putting in for a company that doesnt give a dam about there employers
I work at coles supermarkets and i have a lip piercing and half my head is blue. They have a problem with my hair even though i get so many comments on it saying it looks great. I work my arse off everyday and nearly everyweekend and have been employed for almost 4years, only now they are starting to kick up a stink about it, ive had multicolored hair threwout my employment, its really upsetting to know that all they are seeing is my hair and not all the hours im putting in for a company that doesnt give a dam about there employers
I work at coles supermarkets and i have a lip piercing and half my head is blue. They have a problem with my hair even though i get so many comments on it saying it looks great. I work my arse off everyday and nearly everyweekend and have been employed for almost 4years, only now they are starting to kick up a stink about it, ive had multicolored hair threwout my employment, its really upsetting to know that all they are seeing is my hair and not all the hours im putting in for a company that doesnt give a dam about there employers
A few years ago I was hired at Walmart as a cashier. Thru out the hiring process and all the training I wore a labret and nostril piercing and no one said a word. Then about a week after I started full time the manger called me into her office and said I’d have to take out the labret or I’d be let go. I was very upset because it came out of know where and I never saw any “no piercing” rules in anything I signed. I decided since the piercing was a few years old it was okay to take it out during work and it really didn’t bother it. But then about another week went by and I was called into the office again and this time I had to change my short sleeved shirt to long sleeves to cover a butterfly on my forearm. I have a small star on my hand too and they asked that I put a band aid over that. To make a long story short…I got really sick of their shit and 2 things became 10 and I eventually just quit. Working for Walmart is hell if you are not a drone.
A few years ago I was hired at Walmart as a cashier. Thru out the hiring process and all the training I wore a labret and nostril piercing and no one said a word. Then about a week after I started full time the manger called me into her office and said I’d have to take out the labret or I’d be let go. I was very upset because it came out of know where and I never saw any “no piercing” rules in anything I signed. I decided since the piercing was a few years old it was okay to take it out during work and it really didn’t bother it. But then about another week went by and I was called into the office again and this time I had to change my short sleeved shirt to long sleeves to cover a butterfly on my forearm. I have a small star on my hand too and they asked that I put a band aid over that. To make a long story short…I got really sick of their shit and 2 things became 10 and I eventually just quit. Working for Walmart is hell if you are not a drone.
I find this ridiculous. If they don’t want their employees to have facial piercings, they should tell them before they hire them. The same goes for hair colour. As long as its not affecting the customers, you shouldnt have to change it.
Also, i cant imagine how the customers feel when they walk in and see someone with a plaster on their face. I honestly saw this photo and thought there was something wrong with the piercing!
I find this ridiculous. If they don’t want their employees to have facial piercings, they should tell them before they hire them. The same goes for hair colour. As long as its not affecting the customers, you shouldnt have to change it.
Also, i cant imagine how the customers feel when they walk in and see someone with a plaster on their face. I honestly saw this photo and thought there was something wrong with the piercing!
I work for Walmart and only have my right nostril done.
I worked for two different stores since being hired by this company and the first one was a hell of a lot more anal about it than the second.
I got it pierced I’d like to say two months into working for the first store.
One of my managers had hers done and didn’t have to take hers out, but I still covered mine up with a band aid just because I didn’t want to start anything. Or at least, I thought I wouldn’t.
My main supervisor, after not saying anything for a good two weeks, pulled me aside one day and told me to take it out or go home.
And when I explained to her that I was keeping it covered, that my front end manager had one, and that taking it out wasn’t an option since it was a new piercing she basically said “that’s not my problem and do as we say, not as we do” in so many words.
Pissed, but not wanting to lose my new job I talked to the main manager and pulled the religion card. I don’t know if that was to work or not because (conveniently) I had to return home, two hours away, due to a family emergency.
Since I hadn’t worked their for six months, I couldn’t transfer but my managers knew I was a hard worker and helped me get hired at the Walmart near my parents’ place.
On the day of my interview I asked about my nose stud and if it could be covered and my head boss told me as long as it was covered there was no issue, but as soon as it healed he wanted me to get a retainer.
That I could agree to and I even asked one of my front end managers if I could get more facial piercings and if I do could I cover them without getting in trouble and she told me if I do to take it slow so my face isn’t full of band aids.
And as far as the tattoos go, I have two for now and my old Walmart wanted me to keep them both covered in fear of offending someone (one is a celtic cross, the other is my zodiac) and the one I work for now doesn’t give a fuck if they show or that I’m getting new ones, as long as they’re not vulgar they can be shown.
Even though I was basically given permission to get more facial piercings, I think I’m just gonna get my labret done and call it a day until I get a job that approves of facial piercings and just work on my ears for now.
I wanna stretch them a bit and get a lot more piercings in those too.
I’m really happy with the people I work for now and when it comes down to it, it really is all about the people you work for.
I do think it is against the law to fire you over preexisting piercings if you were hired with them in though. Better check.
I work for Walmart and only have my right nostril done.
I worked for two different stores since being hired by this company and the first one was a hell of a lot more anal about it than the second.
I got it pierced I’d like to say two months into working for the first store.
One of my managers had hers done and didn’t have to take hers out, but I still covered mine up with a band aid just because I didn’t want to start anything. Or at least, I thought I wouldn’t.
My main supervisor, after not saying anything for a good two weeks, pulled me aside one day and told me to take it out or go home.
And when I explained to her that I was keeping it covered, that my front end manager had one, and that taking it out wasn’t an option since it was a new piercing she basically said “that’s not my problem and do as we say, not as we do” in so many words.
Pissed, but not wanting to lose my new job I talked to the main manager and pulled the religion card. I don’t know if that was to work or not because (conveniently) I had to return home, two hours away, due to a family emergency.
Since I hadn’t worked their for six months, I couldn’t transfer but my managers knew I was a hard worker and helped me get hired at the Walmart near my parents’ place.
On the day of my interview I asked about my nose stud and if it could be covered and my head boss told me as long as it was covered there was no issue, but as soon as it healed he wanted me to get a retainer.
That I could agree to and I even asked one of my front end managers if I could get more facial piercings and if I do could I cover them without getting in trouble and she told me if I do to take it slow so my face isn’t full of band aids.
And as far as the tattoos go, I have two for now and my old Walmart wanted me to keep them both covered in fear of offending someone (one is a celtic cross, the other is my zodiac) and the one I work for now doesn’t give a fuck if they show or that I’m getting new ones, as long as they’re not vulgar they can be shown.
Even though I was basically given permission to get more facial piercings, I think I’m just gonna get my labret done and call it a day until I get a job that approves of facial piercings and just work on my ears for now.
I wanna stretch them a bit and get a lot more piercings in those too.
I’m really happy with the people I work for now and when it comes down to it, it really is all about the people you work for.
I do think it is against the law to fire you over preexisting piercings if you were hired with them in though. Better check.
Been working at mcdonalds for four years they haven’t made a big deal about tattoos until the last couple years now they have this no visible tattoo policy and if we have tattoos on our arms we have to wear a long sleeve shirt in addition to our regular work shirt. This is ridiculous that we should be punished. We’re told daily that if we have a problem with it to discuss it with the owner/operator but I’m afraid if I make too much of a fuss that they will just try and nit pick and fire me. I’m at a loss and don’t know what to do.
Been working at mcdonalds for four years they haven’t made a big deal about tattoos until the last couple years now they have this no visible tattoo policy and if we have tattoos on our arms we have to wear a long sleeve shirt in addition to our regular work shirt. This is ridiculous that we should be punished. We’re told daily that if we have a problem with it to discuss it with the owner/operator but I’m afraid if I make too much of a fuss that they will just try and nit pick and fire me. I’m at a loss and don’t know what to do.
Discrimination laws really only cover age, gender, religion, national origin, race, and physical disability, so a lawsuit may not gain much traction. Unfortunately, the employers/owners are well within their rights to require these things. And the safety issues, i.e. something falling and ripping the ring out, aren’t so much for your benefit, but more of if you’re clocked in, that company is liable. If your mod is more important to you than the job, quit. But if you’re starting an actual career and want to continue on, then you have to play ball. Remember, it’s their company. Employees are really just a resource.
Discrimination laws really only cover age, gender, religion, national origin, race, and physical disability, so a lawsuit may not gain much traction. Unfortunately, the employers/owners are well within their rights to require these things. And the safety issues, i.e. something falling and ripping the ring out, aren’t so much for your benefit, but more of if you’re clocked in, that company is liable. If your mod is more important to you than the job, quit. But if you’re starting an actual career and want to continue on, then you have to play ball. Remember, it’s their company. Employees are really just a resource.