Thursday, September 6, 2012

Workplace Dress Code


When it comes to tattoos and body piercings in the workplace, employers often have policies in place as a part of their dress code. It is often assumed by employees that they have a right to show off their body modification in the workplace. However, unless they are marks of religious or racial expression they are not actually protected by discrimination laws. That means that your employer has the right to have you remove or hide body modifications in the workplace.

I have a friend who actually lost her job because she refused to take out some facial piercings at work. This really is a situation I cannot understand. Think of it this way. If you have body modifications to express your own opinion then that is fine, but when you are on your employer's time you are there to express THEM! The staff are often the first impression so it is up to them to choose what impression that is. This might mean they want you to be smart and clean and it may mean no visible body piercings and tattoos. That is their right as your employer, this is their business. If you cannot put aside your own preferences for 8 hours a day then it makes you very narrow minded!

I have another friend who is so Goth it is not even funny! She has tattoos, piercings, jet black hair and wears pale make-up. Want to know what her job is? She is the receptionist at a very posh legal firm! How does she do it? Simple. When at work she wears neutral make-up. Takes out her facial piercings, wears long sleeves and put her hair in a fancy up do. She meets her boss's expectations and then does her own thing in her own time. Is she selling out? I don't think so. I think she is being a responsible adult!

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