Does Body Modification Hinder Professionals?

[cKGunslinger]

Detroit News Link

Wendi Wentzell has pierced her share of noses, tongues, lips and goodness knows what else at the popular Lucky Monkey tattoo and body-piercing parlor located in Ann Arbor.

The most frequent question she hears from would-be clients isn't "Will it hurt?" Instead, they ask how soon they can remove their new nose ring or eyebrow hoop if their employer objects.

Wentzell has one piece of advice: "Either talk to your boss or don't do this."

With tattoos and multiple piercings becoming fairly common, it's a discussion a growing number of bosses find themselves having with young hires.

A 2002 Mayo Clinic survey of university undergraduate students found more than half had some type of body piercing, and 23 percent had one to three tattoos.

Given the trend, more employers face the uncomfortable decision of whether to relax appearance policies and possibly alienate customers or other workers, or keep things strict and risk losing some talented staff members.

More than half of area employers have dress codes, according to a 2004 survey by the American Society of Employers in Southfield.

Yet many of these policies have yet to include body art specifically, said Kevin Marrs, the group's director of survey services.

Ford Motor Co., for example, doesn't have a specific policy regarding body art but does prohibit midriff-baring outfits.

For workers, the question often is whether personal expression is worth the stigma that some attach to highly visible tattoos, nose rings and the like.

Many companies, especially those that deal with customers in professional settings, still forbid anything more daring than a single pair of earrings.

But a growing number of workplaces accept and even embrace such individuality. Robert Wolfe, co-owner of Moosejaw Mountaineering in Madison Heights, said he rejects strict appearance policies.

(more)

I thought this was an interesting topic, as I am employed by a Defense Contractor that is (gasp!) rather conservative, yet I have quite a few bits of steel in my ears and face, as well as the requisite college tattoo. I have never been admonished for any of it, or even had any of it mentioned by any supervisor. Granted, I never deal directly with customers, so that may be why. I still probably stick out like a sore thumb around 80% of the rest of the workforce, however.

Does anyone else have any issues or thoughts on personal appearance and employment?

 

[NeoV]

"quite a few bits of steel in my ears" - no problems whatsoever

"quite a few bits of steel in my face" - next candidate, thanks for stopping by

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: NeoV
"quite a few bits of steel in my ears" - no problems whatsoever

"quite a few bits of steel in my face" - next candidate, thanks for stopping by

Rationale?

 

[ahurtt]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: NeoV
"quite a few bits of steel in my ears" - no problems whatsoever

"quite a few bits of steel in my face" - next candidate, thanks for stopping by

Rationale?

I'd echo that sentiment. My rationale would be, a bunch of steel in your face just doesn't seem like a thing a well adjusted and intelligent person would do. I would want well adjusted smart people working for me. It also kind of portrays the image of "Look at me, I do what I want, screw what people think!" = Issues with authority.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: NeoV
"quite a few bits of steel in my ears" - no problems whatsoever

"quite a few bits of steel in my face" - next candidate, thanks for stopping by

Rationale?

Have to be presentable. I am sorry but having pieces of metal sticking out of your head is not presentable.

But I guess it depends on the business also.

I know where I work it would never fly.

 

[Steeplerot]

Pretty sad, I think anyone who would judge someone over something so common nowdays has issues with power trips.

There are plenty of progressive places to work, even places with customers who do not act like tight asses.

Best bet I see is not to work or give your buisness to backwards folks. Keep your piercings or whatever and wear them with pride.

It is only a matter of time before people get over their hangups and their hangups aren't your problem.

First thought is not to work for a corporation or small redneck buisnesses. Use your creativity to find your own path, or move somewhere where people

have other things to worry about rather then something so superficial. (The pay is usually better also.)

Don't be intimidated into changing who you are. It is the people who make their own rules and step out of bounds to move things forward that are remembered. not the sellout drone.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: ahurtt

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: NeoV
"quite a few bits of steel in my ears" - no problems whatsoever

"quite a few bits of steel in my face" - next candidate, thanks for stopping by

Rationale?

I'd echo that sentiment. My rationale would be, a bunch of steel in your face just doesn't seem like a thing a well adjusted and intelligent person would do. I would want well adjusted smart people working for me. It also kind of portrays the image of "Look at me, I do what I want, screw what people think!" = Issues with authority.

I don't think an eyebrow or nose piercing is much of a individualistic, "Issues with authority" statement any more, when considering that such a large percentage of today's youth has them. Granted, I'm not talking about massively enlarged earlobes, ridged eyebrows, or dozens of facial piercings, but rather one or two, tasteful (IMO) pieces of jewelry. I don't think that reflects a person who is not "well adjusted."

Regardless, in this day and age of valued "diversity," does not the circus-performer-esque employee bring to the table the same uniqueness as the minority, female, and gay/lesbian ones?

 

[Steeplerot]

well adjusted is about the most laughable term I have ever heard....more like well adjusted sheep always ready to be shorn at their masters beckon call..no thanks.

Shows lack of character, those people who promote a unrealistic vanilla mindset will sell you out in a heartbeat anyhow as they have inadequicies issues themselves so must persecute others.

The only "normal" america there is is the people you decide to surround yourself with.

Surround yourself with sheep and expect to have to fall into line to play their sad game. Life is far too short to compromise yourself.

Why waste it on becoming the same boring dumbass as the next guy?

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Regardless, in this day and age of valued "diversity," does not the circus-performer-esque employee bring to the table the same uniqueness as the minority, female, and gay/lesbian ones?

Spoken like a true liberal.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: NeoV
"quite a few bits of steel in my ears" - no problems whatsoever

"quite a few bits of steel in my face" - next candidate, thanks for stopping by

Rationale?

Have to be presentable. I am sorry but having pieces of metal sticking out of your head is not presentable.

But I guess it depends on the business also.

I know where I work it would never fly.

Now, when I interviewed for my current job, I only had the two earrings in each ear, not the other 3, and I didn't not have the eyebrow ring at the time. They were never mentioned in the interviews (3, in total.) And it was only after 3 years of employement, with performance recognitions and promotions/raises that I began to get more peircings.

Perhaps because I had shown myself to be a competent and useful employee, nothing was said. Or perhaps it is because most logical and intelligent people (most senior people here) realize that these kinds of things are completely trivial when it comes to job performance.

 

[umbrella39]

I removed my steel years ago due to overzealous employers not wanting customers having to look at them in meetings. Fine. I lived. In additon I have 5 tattoos all of which can not be seen when I am wearing a short sleved dress shirt. Upper arm, back, legs. I would love to have a few on my forearms but know there would come a time where I would get sh!t for it. So I keep my art hidden.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Regardless, in this day and age of valued "diversity," does not the circus-performer-esque employee bring to the table the same uniqueness as the minority, female, and gay/lesbian ones?

Spoken like a true liberal.

:beer:

 

[Steeplerot]

job performance is number one....if the employer is a idiot then his loss. He is creating his own barrier to success.

you know, you do not have to work for a corporation, plenty of good buisnesses out there that do not stereotype and have a judgemental power trip.

 

[1EZduzit]

I personally have no desire to decorate my body. If I did, I'd go with piercings instead of tattoo's because once you tired of the piercings, you just leave them out.

 

[Tommunist]

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
Pretty sad, I think anyone who would judge someone over something so common nowdays has issues with power trips.

There are plenty of progressive places to work, even places with customers who do not act like tight asses.

Best bet I see is not to work or give your buisness to backwards folks. Keep your piercings or whatever and wear them with pride.

It is only a matter of time before people get over their hangups and their hangups aren't your problem.

First thought is not to work for a corporation or small redneck buisnesses. Use your creativity to find your own path, or move somewhere where people

have other things to worry about rather then something so superficial. (The pay is usually better also.)

Don't be intimidated into changing who you are. It is the people who make their own rules and step out of bounds to move things forward that are remembered. not the sellout drone.

i think it's personally reasonable for an employer to request that people dealing with customers not have excessive body art. whether you personally find it acceptable or not - certain people (customers) will be bothered/offended by it. as a business this isn't a chance worth taking.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: umbrella39
I removed my steel years ago due to overzealous employers not wanting customers having to look at them in meetings. Fine. I lived. In additon I have 5 tattoos all of which can not be seen when I am wearing a short sleved dress shirt. Upper arm, back, legs. I would love to have a few on my forearms but know there would come a time where I would get sh!t for it. So I keep my art hidden.

Actually, I'm looking at an inner-forearm tattoo as well, and have really never considered what my employee would say. I know a few people around here with visible tattoos, but most are military-themed. I'm not too worried about it, however, which is a pretty nice feeling.

 

[Steeplerot]

Originally posted by: Tommunist

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
Pretty sad, I think anyone who would judge someone over something so common nowdays has issues with power trips.

There are plenty of progressive places to work, even places with customers who do not act like tight asses.

Best bet I see is not to work or give your buisness to backwards folks. Keep your piercings or whatever and wear them with pride.

It is only a matter of time before people get over their hangups and their hangups aren't your problem.

First thought is not to work for a corporation or small redneck buisnesses. Use your creativity to find your own path, or move somewhere where people

have other things to worry about rather then something so superficial. (The pay is usually better also.)

Don't be intimidated into changing who you are. It is the people who make their own rules and step out of bounds to move things forward that are remembered. not the sellout drone.

i think it's personally reasonable for an employer to request that people dealing with customers not have excessive body art. whether you personally find it acceptable or not - certain people (customers) will be bothered/offended by it. as a business this isn't a chance worth taking.

depends on the buisness....If you have all that stuff why would you want to surround yourself or serve someone who do not share your interests?

Find a job that serves people you have something in common with..it's common sense to me...accentuate what you enjoy and your talents not sell it out asap.

Your going against the grain...which will only lead to burnout.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: Tommunist

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
Pretty sad, I think anyone who would judge someone over something so common nowdays has issues with power trips.

There are plenty of progressive places to work, even places with customers who do not act like tight asses.

Best bet I see is not to work or give your buisness to backwards folks. Keep your piercings or whatever and wear them with pride.

It is only a matter of time before people get over their hangups and their hangups aren't your problem.

First thought is not to work for a corporation or small redneck buisnesses. Use your creativity to find your own path, or move somewhere where people

have other things to worry about rather then something so superficial. (The pay is usually better also.)

Don't be intimidated into changing who you are. It is the people who make their own rules and step out of bounds to move things forward that are remembered. not the sellout drone.

i think it's personally reasonable for an employer to request that people dealing with customers not have excessive body art. whether you personally find it acceptable or not - certain people (customers) will be bothered/offended by it. as a business this isn't a chance worth taking.

Now, I can understand that viewpoint. If you are meeting with customers, you want to impress them, as well as keep from offending them. If it would be perceived that they would have a problem with such things, I would gladly suppress them, temporarily.

There are times for personal expression, and times for sucking it up and following the 'norm,' for a greater good. The more business you can bring in, the more likely you get more leeway for your noncustomer-facing attributes.

 

[nageov3t]

I think it depends on the job position.

99% of the time, my company doesn't care about a dress code. the only thing actually on the books is "no sweat pants," and even that usually gets overlooked. if there's ever a day where we know we'll be interacting with a client, though, it's suddenly khakis, button-down shirt (long-sleeve if you have visible tatoos on your arm), and polished shoes.

why put yourself in a position where you could possibly alienate clients and lose money if you don't have to?

 

[azazyel]

Dude, you've got a lot of cranial accessories.

 

[Tommunist]

Originally posted by: azazyel
Dude, you've got a lot of cranial accessories.

i can't recall that comics name - but he was a funny guy....

 

[Steeplerot]

It just depends....My dayjobs always have been a way to pay rent and supplement and fund my projects and true love, my bands and nightclub work.

Sure, I may not be a milionaire but I am at least enjoying myself and able to participate in something people only get to experience on their tv sets during their boring rat race of a life.

If you are happy in a cubicle then go for it. I would go nuts thugh playing some role I am not really part of besides being a faceless cog in a wheel. Life is a tree full of fruits and sometimes you have to climb pretty high up on iffy branches to find the good stuff....maybe fall a few times. But the juciest fruit are tasted by so few..and how sweet it is.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: NeoV
"quite a few bits of steel in my ears" - no problems whatsoever

"quite a few bits of steel in my face" - next candidate, thanks for stopping by

Rationale?

Have to be presentable. I am sorry but having pieces of metal sticking out of your head is not presentable.

But I guess it depends on the business also.

I know where I work it would never fly.

Presentability is the sole issue. Professionals frequently work with the public or with individuals with other companies and, in such capacity, they represent the company. Visible tatoos and face piercings are the business equivalent of wearing unpressed clothes or having bad/missing teeth. It looks bad.

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
job performance is number one....if the employer is a idiot then his loss. He is creating his own barrier to success.

you know, you do not have to work for a corporation, plenty of good buisnesses out there that do not stereotype and have a judgemental power trip.

Body modification hinders job performance. Customers frequently find it objectionable and unprofessional, and take their business elsewhere.

It's an odd upside-down world you live in, rot. IMO, "sheep" is multilating your body because everyone else is doing it. "Look at me, I'm cool, I have defaced myself." That's what your sh!t is, no offense. It's not individualism, that's for sure.

FYI, I don't work for a "corporation." We have ~120 employees.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: NeoV
"quite a few bits of steel in my ears" - no problems whatsoever

"quite a few bits of steel in my face" - next candidate, thanks for stopping by

Rationale?

Have to be presentable. I am sorry but having pieces of metal sticking out of your head is not presentable.

But I guess it depends on the business also.

I know where I work it would never fly.

Now, when I interviewed for my current job, I only had the two earrings in each ear, not the other 3, and I didn't not have the eyebrow ring at the time. They were never mentioned in the interviews (3, in total.) And it was only after 3 years of employement, with performance recognitions and promotions/raises that I began to get more peircings.

Perhaps because I had shown myself to be a competent and useful employee, nothing was said. Or perhaps it is because most logical and intelligent people (most senior people here) realize that these kinds of things are completely trivial when it comes to job performance.

Maybe but try running around with piercings in your face in the banking industry.

One thing to remember is while some in America may view it as no big deal. When you deal with overseas customers it is a completely different ball game.

Willing to alienate a multi-million dollar merger because you want to hire some guy with the front of his chevy inbedded in his face?

Think not.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: Tommunist

Originally posted by: azazyel
Dude, you've got a lot of cranial accessories.

i can't recall that comics name - but he was a funny guy....

Mitch Hedberg?