Welcome to Gaia! ::

I haven't had this problem, but then of course I also don't have a job.

A friend of mine in high school who worked as a waitress was once told to remove her eyebrow piercing, but it was clamped down a little too hard when she got it done so she was actually unable to take it out. She didn't get fired or anything for it. Her employer just learned to accept it. I don't think everyone would be so nice about it, though... and her circumstance might have helped influence her employer's decision to let her keep working there.

Multiple answers.

1. No, I wouldn't remove piercings, any more than I would shave my head, or any more than I would remove my clothing because it had been out on the public streets. Since diners don't remove their piercings before eating, it means they actually aren't concerned at all about my piercings. The health inspectors need to learn what is, and isn't, sanitary or unsanitary.

2. Yes, I would remove my piercings, or cover them with a Band-Aid if they were too new to be removed. I'd also wear a hairnet, or change into a work uniform. I also wouldn't sweat it if told to remove them. When I was hired, I knew what the job required, and if I didn't like it, I could seek employment elsewhere. Times are tough. We do what the employer requires unless it violates our legal rights or moral code.

I'm a teacher and I know it can be a touchy subject. I have 3 piercings in each ear and I would LOVE to get my nose pierced, but I will probably have to wait until I get tenure (in NJ). They can't fire me for a pierced nose, especially when other teachers in the district have their noses pierced.

I think some of it is still the clash between the generations. Much like tattoos, to some of the older or more conservative folk piercings hold a negative connotation. Where as younger or more less conservative people see both as alternative forms of expression. There will always be that difference in opinion.

I took my nose piercing out in order to secure a job in local government. I wish I hadn't have had to, but it's paid for a lot of good things over the years and meant that me and Pinkuiro could move in together, we could get married and we can still buy lots of unnecessary crap to clog up our house with. smile

My wife, who now works in the same unit as I do (although a different line of work), has her lip and tongue pierced and each ear three times. None of those come out for work and they shouldn't either.

I guess the only real factor is if you need the job then you need the job - it's not being a sell-out to make these sacrifices to survive.

Yes, all this is true - the franchise owner was the one who choose the piercing/jewelry policy. He did this from the stand point that excess jewelry and adornments can carry bacteria and such and contaminate a food service environment. It's not state law - it's the personal opinion of the guy who comes out and gives us a grade on our food safety.

I find it ironic, however, that the job where I have to go out into the business world doesn't mind how I look as long as I wear business clothing.

smile

Earrings have a distinct cleaning ritual behind their upkeep; claiming they are a bacterial health hazard simply because a person has a few extra fails logically. Why ban 5/6 when you can ban 6/6? This is very difficult to compute.

When I was in my junior year of high school, I suddenly became aware that my appearance (at the time and times past) was a bit shocking and unprofessional, so I chose to clean it up - a LOT. I chose to outwardly "grow up" perse, in the way I dressed, accessorized and carried myself. I grew out my hair, let it keep a more natural color, and wore longer skirts/pants/shorts and less leather, metal studs/spikes, and less black makeup. Did I sell out? No... I realized something. By buying all those clothes to "make a statement" I was already selling out. Also, this was back before all the kids got into wearing a pyramid studded belt with blue jeans and a girly top (and when they did, I used to become so enraged by the little wannabes/posers...).

I worked at Subway for a year without a problem. I wasn't allowed to wear a ring with a gem unless it was around my neck, and I had no piercings to worry about.

Now, despite having applied to scores of open positions, some of which are for companies with whom I already have experience, I am still incapable of acquiring a job. I would be so happy to work for Subway again. Even Burger King.

Your point on the irony of each of the jobs you have is intriguing, however. I suppose they have had many personalities work for them, and are a lot more open-minded and acceptable of things that are, nowadays and in most cases more widely accepted. Still, I fail to see how an earring is so hazardous to your health.

How have the jobs been going lately, and changes (if any) have you seen in regards to attitudes toward multiple earrings? How do your coworkers feel about the situation?

Personally, if my ears were still pierced, I'd not give them up.

For ROTC class, we HAD to take them off, and thus my piercings closed. Back in high school, in the lab, we had to remove them as well for lab, and we understood the rules.

But in a open-minded world, you could be the remake of Pinhead. I think most employers don't care as long as it does not interfere with their business or with your job. But that's just my opinion.