how do each of you handle discrimination in the work place relating to your body art?
so, here's a quick background. I was hired with my 2 piercings in (a 12g septum, which i usually tuck up and a 12g labret stud, no hoops, so they're small) I applied with them in, walked into my interview with them in, started my first day of work with them in and continued to wear them. Up until recently it hadn't been a problem and then all of a sudden my boss starts riding my ass about taking them out. Now, it is written into company policy not to wear them. Now at the same time, my piercings were done with a certain amount of spiritual soul searching so to speak. Finding myself, finding my limits, defining my self as a human and spiritually. I find this policy to be discriminating just as much as treating someone different for their race, religion and sex.
Does anyone else agree or disagree? and why?
My problem now is that I have been suspended from work for it... and suspended at my work basically means fired.
Any comments or suggestions?
Anyone out there with a law background that can advise?
so, here's a quick background. I was hired with my 2 piercings in (a 12g septum, which i usually tuck up and a 12g labret stud, no hoops, so they're small) I applied with them in, walked into my interview with them in, started my first day of work with them in and continued to wear them. Up until recently it hadn't been a problem and then all of a sudden my boss starts riding my ass about taking them out. Now, it is written into company policy not to wear them. Now at the same time, my piercings were done with a certain amount of spiritual soul searching so to speak. Finding myself, finding my limits, defining my self as a human and spiritually. I find this policy to be discriminating just as much as treating someone different for their race, religion and sex.
Does anyone else agree or disagree? and why?
My problem now is that I have been suspended from work for it... and suspended at my work basically means fired.
Any comments or suggestions?
Anyone out there with a law background that can advise?
posted by:
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St. Louis
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Re: Discrimination in the work place
Wed, July 28, 2004 - 9:06 PMI'd say call a lawyer if you want to get serious about it. It doens't seem right that they would make a fuss about it now. So they recently wrote it into the policy about no piercings? Your boss must have some other motivation because that is just too wierd. For some people body piercing is part of their heritage or religion in which case it would be discriminating. Decide if it is worth it to you to fight, if it is, call a lawyer and find out your rights. Maybe call your boss after that warning about persuing legal action if suspension isn't imediately revoked. I bet you could sue for lost wages too.
Sorry you are having trouble with that. Good luck.
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Re: Discrimination in the work place
Thu, July 29, 2004 - 10:15 PMAfter i've graduated from the university i worked in a company. I had to take off all of my facial piercings (8 ga septum and ears but i still wore invisible piercings) and wear long sleeve shirt for hiding my tattoo. Im my country we have no company policy that the employee can't wear piercings. But for some organization tattoo means no job.
I worked at that company for a year and quitted it. And I went to the another company for an interview. This time I didn't shave my sideburns, goatee. The interview began, the manager came into the room and went out. About 5 minutes he came again and this time he gave me a razor. He told me to shave my facial hair. It's the RULE. (f**k the rule I said it in my mind) He pointed me the direction to the toilet. I said kept it jerk and walked out. My friend said I was crazy.
I'm the one who disagree. Stupid rule. I'm really sorry about your story. -
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Re: Discrimination in the work place
Sun, January 20, 2008 - 6:15 AM
"No company wants an employee to look in such a way that is bad for their business"
why? how does this make a business look bad, round here the only people i want to talk to is someone w/ body mod's. i know i'll get the same care as other nonpierced get. people need to get over it. here is arkansas the 2g in my ears didn't faze most people but when i got my septum done it's like i have a don't fuck w/ me flag up. i know it's different but people have been piercing them selfs for how long thousands of years. luckly in the kitchen i don't have to worry, except when people want to speak w/ the chef.
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Re: Discrimination in the work place
Sat, January 19, 2008 - 10:14 AMI don't know if you interact with customers in your job face to face, it's quite possible someone complained... Or made it clear they were uncomfortable or untrusting of someone with piercings... (Conservative, religious, traditional, elderly...) I formerly worked for a national insurance company and my office manager would even take out her cartilage piercing when meeting with clients for that reason... Office policy said nothing about piercing, tattoos, etc, but she had noticed negative reactions from many people. At that point policy was changed and even though it still allowed ear piercings, she took hers out.
No company wants an employee to look in such a way that is bad for their business, but I don't know the legal ramifications.
