Facial Piercings in The Workplace

[Blair Bennett]

I recently got my lip pierced and it's come to my attention that, if I so desired, I would be unable to work in certain places. I've been discussing with a few friends why piercings, facial piercings in particular, are considered so off-putting when encountered in a place of business, and we've all sort of come to the same conclusion: they're distracting, and to some, unappealing. And it's not the more profession of places either: I know of several grocery stores than will not allow an employee to work there if they are sporting visible piercings or tattoos. My question is not why this is considered unappealing; I know it's because of how the piercings could be perceived by the general public. I can understand places like Starbuck's, and businesses that demanded a higher level of respect utilizing this policy because they have a very specific look that they sell to a very unspecific demographic. However, if the IGA down the street declared that they were going to use this policy, they'd never hear the end of it.

Ok, I'm sure that all of my bitching was very erratic, as well as barely relevant to my question, but here it is anyway: When you see someone working in the service industry, and they have facial piercings, do you find them distracting, unpleasant, or unattractive? Or is the reasoning behind this policy completely ungrounded? There, the only discussion value this thread will ever see.

 

[LightspeedJack]

People need to be open minded. A piercing is no reason to deny someone a job.

 

[Marter]

They are a slight bit distracting, as it's currently something against the norm, but I don't judge people by what they have on their face. I have no issue with it. If people want to puncture their face, that's their decision. It certainly should not cost someone a job opportunity.

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

Some companies don't care. I'm a Software Trainer and I have two black rings through my left eyebrow and one through my left ear. As long as I'm in a suit when I'm in front of customers they don't care. That said when I trained in Vietnam last year I took them out when I was training just to be on the safe side.

Mind you I have noticed that when I have been waiting at the intersections in the city along with the other suits I do look like the odd one out with facial piercings. If I took them out I'd look just like the rest. It's good to be a little different.

 

[Irridium]

Well, I have to work alongside one of these people. And honestly, I don't find it distracting at all. I'm sure others have a quick glance but from what I've seen thats it. Everyone just went on as they always have.

 

[The Eggplant]

I personally find facial piercings to be quite attractive and not the least bit distracting. I myself have both my ears pierced numerous times and am working on snakebites...my past employers haven't ever had a problem with the many ear piercings, although we'll see what happens with the lips.

 

[Pink_Pirate]

hmn well i have snakebites, two mirrored lip rigs if you dont know, and most of the time some sort of bright unnatural hair colour... so finding a job..aint exactly easy... id dye my hair natural if it got me a job TBH... but the piercings are ***** to take out and get in... so yes this suck... a lot of places dont want facial piercings, its an image thing. To retain an air of respect you have to present a heteronormative and culturally acceptable image. Although i oncy got refused a job at a bakery becasue there was an issue of my piercings falling off into the food. Some places do consider facial piercings a sanitary risk. I have no idea why though.. fucking things wont come out without a pair of pliers.

 

[Booze Zombie]

I'm only bothered by someone with a facial piercing if it makes them look like an idiot and that's a very subjective thing, really, so I guess I can't really verbally take the issue to them, I just have to resolve it in my head.

 

[s0denone]

hmn well i have snakebites, two mirrored lip rigs if you dont know, and most of the time some sort of bright unnatural hair colour... so finding a job..aint exactly easy... id dye my hair natural if it got me a job TBH... but the piercings are ***** to take out and get in... so yes this suck... a lot of places dont want facial piercings, its an image thing. To retain an air of respect you have to present a heteronormative and culturally acceptable image. Although i oncy got refused a job at a bakery becasue there was an issue of my piercings falling off into the food. Some places do consider facial piercings a sanitary risk. I have no idea why though.. fucking things wont come out without a pair of pliers.

I think this bolded part strikes the nail right on the head.
I have contemplated many times to get a tattoo, or even several, but the effects it would have on my job-searching capabilities have kept me from doing so. I've never been interested in piercings, but I find the tattoo-subject to be very relevant if not exactly the same as the question posed in this thread.

Companies need to remain neutral. It is as simple as. Displaying no relation to any particular ethnic group over the other, as well as no relation to any culture/subculte.

In order to appeal to everyone, a company must appeal specifically to no-one.

 

[thenumberthirteen]

Unless you work near any large magnets I don't see the trouble with it.

 

[child of lileth]

I think in some jobs, there really needs to be a certain level of professionalism. I'm not saying it's right to deny someone a job because of piercings, but I can completely understand why they would do it, depending on the job. Especially if it's one of those ones that have chains hanging off their face and connecting to their ear and so on.

 

[squid5580]

People need to be open minded. A piercing is no reason to deny someone a job.

Hell yes it is. Look I got long hair, piercings and tattoos. I know not everyplace will hire me. And they shouldn't. Having me as your waiter would probably make most folk uncomfortable. And if they are uncomfortable they won't be coming back. So I am costing them money when as an employee I should be making them money.

 

[Eyhren]

While I personally don't care, I think the issue is that facial piercings are meant to be distracting. When you get one, you know that everybody you meet will see it and that everybody will make an instant judgement in their head about it, because that's human nature.

 

[The Eggplant]

I think in some jobs, there really needs to be a certain level of professionalism. I'm not saying it's right to deny someone a job because of piercings, but I can completely understand why they would do it, depending on the job. Especially if it's one of those ones that have chains hanging off their face and connecting to their ear and so on.

Fair point...although I'm a fervent devotee of body modification, I'll be taking most of my ear piercings and my soon-to-be snakebites out before next summer. Why? Because I'll probably be interning at the U.N. Consulate in New York, and in such a setting common courtesy for the gravity of the work dictates a modicum of maturity and respect. Similarly, I was planning on getting sleeves this summer, but again due to my expected internship (and hopefully future career as a U.N. translator) I'll now be getting bicep tats instead, since those are much easier to hide.

 

[Blueruler182]

I believe a professional place should be professional. Their policies are very founded, in my opinion.

 

[thethingthatlurks]

I'll be honest, piercings make you look like an idiot. But what you do with your body is your own business, so it's no reason to deny you a job, unless you're working around powerful magnets (like NMRI machines if you're a medical technician).