Got my ear pierced - Should i be worried?

SusieBlue

the_pen_turner wrote: »

Which part are you agreeing with

Picking the best person for the job has nothing to do with appearance so long as they look professional. Evaluating an established, long standing employee solely on their appearance without taking their education, experience etc into consideration when it comes to promotions and pay scales is down right unprofessional.

The employee deserves to be appraised solely on his ability to work. I don't see how some piercing scars from many years previous should dictate someones career progression.

No one is saying it should be a free for all with mohawks and stretched earlobes, but to hold someone back for something as trivial as previously having an ear piercing is an injustice.

By your logic, I have a scar on the side of my nose, therefore I should not progress any further in my career because a prospective client may think I once had a nose piercing. Can you not understand how ridiculous that sounds???

DrPhilG

nigel_wilson wrote: »

If one piercing is enough disqualify a man who abides by the dress code in all other ways then humanity (most ignorant f*cks anyway) deserves to be wiped out.

Does it aye?

DrPhilG

WhiteRoses wrote: »

No one is saying it should be a free for all with mohawks and stretched earlobes, but to hold someone back for something as trivial as previously having an ear piercing is an injustice

So who appointed you as the judge of how far is too far?

And why do you have such discrimination and hatred for those poor stretchy earred people?

the_pen_turner

WhiteRoses wrote: »

the_pen_turner wrote: »

Which part are you agreeing with

Picking the best person for the job has nothing to do with appearance so long as they look professional. Evaluating an established, long standing employee solely on their appearance without taking their education, experience etc into consideration when it comes to promotions and pay scales is down right unprofessional.

The employee deserves to be appraised solely on his ability to work. I don't see how some piercing scars from many years previous should dictate someones career progression.

No one is saying it should be a free for all with mohawks and stretched earlobes, but to hold someone back for something as trivial as previously having an ear piercing is an injustice.

By your logic, I have a scar on the side of my nose, therefore I should not progress any further in my career because a prospective client may think I once had a nose piercing. Can you not understand how ridiculous that sounds???

I haven't said any of that.
Of course your scar should have no bearing.
I agree about hiring in ability. . All the things youbsaid are part of that but so is personality ,and appearance. . I believe something like appearance is a yes no , question are they suitable for the job.
What decides that yes no is up to the employer.

Also a small piercing is the tip of the iceberg. If you allow one thing then it starts to progress and is impossible to backtrack

rawn

nigel_wilson wrote: »

rawn wrote: »

And completely immature.

Elaborate please?

Looks like boardsies are showing their ignorance once again.

It's completely immature for a grown man to hold back a good employee's career based s on their scars.

SusieBlue

DrPhilG wrote: »

So who appointed you as the judge of how far is too far?

And why do you have such discrimination and hatred for those poor stretchy earred people?

Wind back with the aggression. I never appointed myself the judge of anything.

It is common assumption that to work in an office professional capacity, one needs to look professional. That would be formal attire, neat hair, and subtle make up for women. Rightly or wrongly, visible tattoos and piercings are discouraged, which is fair enough.
Most people would agree this is the common standard, even if they don't fully agree with it.
Forgive me for thinking its a tad dramatic to punish someone by holding back their career due to an ear piercing they used to have before they started working there. Its just a bit over zealous for my liking.

As for how far is too far, great question. I had bright red dyed hair 14 years ago. Should I never get another job? Or is it fair enough because I made a silly decision over a decade ago? Where do we draw the line?

mitresize5

eight pages read and still no idea was your man told to take out the earring.

thats 15 minutes of my life I'll never get back

jjmcclure

Maybe the OP should ask himself this question.

" Would I wear the earring to an interview" ** for a job that doesn't come with a cutlass, parrot and wooden leg

Stheno

Mod

This is not after hours
Quit the nonsense

DrPhilG

WhiteRoses wrote: »

Wind back with the aggression. I never appointed myself the judge of anything.

There was no aggression. I wrongly assumed that the comment about stretchy earred folk would have given away the humorous intent.

John_Rambo

I work in the creative field. Design, photography and media. It's perfectly normal for creatives to be heavily tattooed, pierced and dressed differently. In fact it can help sometimes.

But.

It can be a hindrance for sales people pitching for blue-chip, legal, corporate and civil service. Particularly middle aged men. If you're going to be adorned with jewelry and tats you gotta be slim, very up to date, good looking and wear it well. Sorry, but middle aged, overweight, whispy ponytail and ear-ring with mom jeans won't garner confidence in your client.

21Savage

John_Rambo wrote: »

I work in the creative field. Design, photography and media. It's perfectly normal for creatives to be heavily tattooed, pierced and dressed differently. In fact it can help sometimes.

But.

It can be a hindrance for sales people pitching for blue-chip, legal, corporate and civil service. Particularly middle aged men. If you're going to be adorned with jewelry and tats you gotta be slim, very up to date, good looking and wear it well. Sorry, but middle aged, overweight, whispy ponytail and ear-ring with mom jeans won't garner confidence in your client.

Pretty much all that matters tbh.

Avatar MIA

I hope the OP enjoyed the date with his boss. Surely, that's the logical conclusion of the sudden interest from their boss and subsequent info blackout. Jokes!

Seriously - I'd hate to think a small stud would in anyway lead to prejudice. There's conservatism and then there's downright paranoid prudishness.

I'm from an finance background myself, but have spent most (apart from 3 years in healthcare (and some of those were a riot)) of the latter part of my career in creative/media and I don't bat an eyelid at dress, jewellery or demeanour as long as a professional job is undertaken.

There was a time when a female would have shocked the same "Professional" prudes, and we got over that (mostly).

21Savage

Avatar MIA wrote: »

I hope the OP enjoyed the date with his boss. Surely, that's the logical conclusion of the sudden interest from their boss and subsequent info blackout. Jokes!

Seriously - I'd hate to think a small stud would in anyway lead to prejudice. There's conservatism and then there's downright paranoid prudishness.

I'm from an finance background myself, but have spent most (apart from 3 years in healthcare (and some of those were a riot)) of the latter part of my career in creative/media and I don't bat an eyelid at dress, jewellery or demeanour as long as a professional job is undertaken.

There was a time when a female would have shocked the same "Professional" prudes, and we got over that (mostly).

Ultimately that is what shatters the argument of all those on here justifying this. You can't just move the goal posts as you see fit. People can be very dishonest. It's your obligation to question your thought process ALL THE TIME. Very poor mindsets on display here. Like seriously, it's an earring. It potentially makes someone stand out more in a positive way depending on how they pull it off.(I personally think it's cringeworthy)

The best post on the thread was replied to with the biggest cop out response ever. 'Straw man' indeed.

Insufferable.

somefeen

eeguy wrote: »

It's a general boards policy not to inquire about the identity of a poster. Don't know why you're pushing this.

I don't feel like I was pushing it? If JayZeus doesn't want to answer that's fair enough.
I just thought his response was a bit aggressive but in retrospect its understandable. We all have prejudices, and he's been getting lambasted for being honest about his when everyone else hides them. I like to think I wouldn't care about piercings, but when I really think about, septum rings........

Yeah, I can't guarantee my decisions won't be subconsciously influenced by one of them yokes.

AndrewJRenko

JayZeus wrote: »

That’s our industry and our customers.

That's your industry as long as you allow it to be your industry. When your organisation grows a pair and decides to stand up to silly customers like this, you'll find that you will gain as many customers as you lose, if not more.

DrPhilG

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

When your organisation grows a pair and decides to stand up to silly customers like this, you'll find that you will gain as many customers as you lose, if not more.

What is his industry?

AndrewJRenko

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

That's your industry as long as you allow it to be your industry. When your organisation grows a pair and decides to stand up to silly customers like this, you'll find that you will gain as many customers as you lose, if not more.

You have no idea what you're writing about. No idea at all. :rolleyes:

the_pen_turner

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

JayZeus wrote: »

That’s our industry and our customers.

That's your industry as long as you allow it to be your industry. When your organisation grows a pair and decides to stand up to silly customers like this, you'll find that you will gain as many customers as you lose, if not more.

What about an employer s right to have their company represented the way they want it.

rawn

the_pen_turner wrote: »

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

JayZeus wrote: »

That’s our industry and our customers.

That's your industry as long as you allow it to be your industry. When your organisation grows a pair and decides to stand up to silly customers like this, you'll find that you will gain as many customers as you lose, if not more.

What about an employer s right to have their company represented the way they want it.

Then why did they hire him?

rawn

rawn wrote: »

Then why did they hire him?

To work in a factory. He did well from there and moved up a few times.

He’s gone as far as he’ll go now without changing companies.

This can’t be as difficult to understand as some people are making out.

davo10

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

That's your industry as long as you allow it to be your industry. When your organisation grows a pair and decides to stand up to silly customers like this, you'll find that you will gain as many customers as you lose, if not more.

How does this work? How does "standing up" to some customers gain you more? Personally I would have thought that holding on to existing customers and attracting new ones is the way to go, not sure how "we allow our staff to wear earrings" gets you more business.

AndrewJRenko

JayZeus wrote: »

T
This can’t be as difficult to understand as some people are making out.

What's difficult to understand is a manager who thinks it's a good idea to NOT tell employees what their performance issues are, just to make absolutely sure that they don't do anything to improve.

davo10 wrote: »

How does this work? How does "standing up" to some customers gain you more? Personally I would have thought that holding on to existing customers and attracting new ones is the way to go, not sure how "we allow our staff to wear earrings" gets you more business.

You've worked out 'we allow staff to wear earrings loses you business, right? Well isn't it reasonable that for personal, quirky issue like this, there are going to be as many buyers turned on by this as turned off. Unless there is some massive anti-earring conspiracy that has never come to public sight?

the_pen_turner

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

What's difficult to understand is a manager who thinks it's a good idea to NOT tell employees what their performance issues are, just to make absolutely sure that they don't do anything to improve.


You've worked out 'we allow staff to wear earrings loses you business, right? Well isn't it reasonable that for personal, quirky issue like this, there are going to be as many buyers turned on by this as turned off. Unless there is some massive anti-earring conspiracy that has never come to public sight?

in jays case there would be no performance issues. they are doing there job perfectly fine. it is just that the next job up the line isn't suitable

AndrewJRenko

the_pen_turner wrote: »

in jays case there would be no performance issues. they are doing there job perfectly fine. it is just that the next job up the line isn't suitable

OK, if you want to get picky - development issue instead of performance issue. But it's the same principle.

the_pen_turner

are you only allowed to hire people that could potentially get to the top of the ladder. some people suite roles very well but could only do that role

AndrewJRenko

the_pen_turner wrote: »

are you only allowed to hire people that could potentially get to the top of the ladder. some people suite roles very well but could only do that role

Yep, that's true, but in this case (apparently) he is well capable of carrying out the higher level role, except for the damned earring holding him back - but shhhhh - whatever you do, don't let him know. It's a big secret.

the_pen_turner wrote: »

What about an employer s right to have their company represented the way they want it.

I don't have a problem at all with any company having a clear and direct dress code. If dress is important in your industry, then you write down the rules and make them known to all.

Rubberchikken

Im sorry but middle aged man, small black stud earring and professional job 4 months in, and you wonder why colleagues look and maybe the boss wants a chat.
Yes its an earring. Yes people should be able to wear what they like but thats the ideal world.

rawn

Rubberchikken wrote: »

Im sorry but middle aged man, small black stud earring and professional job 4 months in, and you wonder why colleagues look and maybe the boss wants a chat.
Yes its an earring. Yes people should be able to wear what they like but thats the ideal world.

But he's not wearing an earring.

AndrewJRenko

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

OK, if you want to get picky - development issue instead of performance issue. But it's the same principle.

It's not even a development issue. Maybe it is for him, but not for the company to be fair. He does what they want him to do. If he made better choices then they'd want him to do more and they'd give him the opportunity. His bad choices in the past will not facilitate that now, not in this company.

He would probably be a big hit in a music shop or a skate shop or something. That's not what we do though. Our client facing technical, project and sales personnel, management and executive leadership aren't the kind of people who would have multiple holes in their ears. Same goes for visible tattoos, colourful hair or styling.

I didn't pierce his ears. I didn't put jewellery in them for him to wear to a company christmas party. I didn't hire him. I wouldn't fire him. I wouldn't embarrass him or ridicule him for his personal styling choices of the past or present. I just wouldn't put him in front of a customer. I've explained why and no matter whether you think that's unfair or perfectly reasonable, that's the way it is. It's not going to change just because somebody on the internet thinks it should!

AndrewJRenko

JayZeus wrote: »

I didn't pierce his ears. I didn't put jewellery in them for him to wear to a company christmas party. I didn't hire him. I wouldn't fire him. I wouldn't embarrass him or ridicule him for his personal styling choices of the past or present. I just wouldn't put him in front of a customer. I've explained why and no matter whether you think that's unfair or perfectly reasonable, that's the way it is. It's not going to change just because somebody on the internet thinks it should!

THat's a slightly different spin to your original position;

JayZeus wrote: »

I would find it very difficult to take a middle aged man wearing an ear stud or ring seriously. In fact, I couldn't take them seriously. It's a finance position in an aircraft leasing firm. It's office work, where a professional appearance and demeanour are generally expected. If you drive a forklift in a warehouse or plaster farm sheds, it's a whole other thing.

I worked with a guy who had maybe 6-7 piercings down his left ear, probably many years ago. The holes are still just visible and ever since i spotted them I can't take him seriously at all. He doesn't realise it but the holes in his ear mean I've refused to bring him onto projects for the last 4 years where he'd meet with customers. My reason was perfectly acceptable too.

He's totally oblivious to it but he earns a lot less than he could (for the same workload) and is held back in his career generally as a result of doing stupid things like getting his ears pierced.

By all means, get holes put in your ears as a grown man. Your choice. Don't expect everyone to be okay with your strange behaviour.

It's possible to give an employee direct and specific feedback without ridiculing them or embarrassing them. It's called performance management.

lawred2

Take it out when going to work... It's a bit of an oddity in such a work place. Not worth the attention really.

AndrewJRenko

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

THat's a slightly different spin to your original position;



It's possible to give an employee direct and specific feedback without ridiculing them or embarrassing them. It's called performance management.

Seriously? Just because he is held back does not mean it's anyone else's fault but his own. I'm done arguing this with you. I've been very clear and if you can't understand that, I don't think I'll be able to help you get any closer to your moment of enlightenment.

On to your second point, his performance is managed already. He does a very good job in fact. I've said as much at least a couple of times. He can also develop his role further, for example by learning new products and technologies to complement his existing capabilities, but that's as far as it goes. How about you accept that I don't have to tell the guy that his piercings are limiting his options. He does a good job. The company are happy. As long as he's happy, it's all good. If he's not happy, he'll have to try his luck elsewhere.

Not. My. Problem.

matrim

Deleted User wrote: »

You are assuming that it wasn't noticed during the interview. It might well have been noticed and not have impacted the hiring decision for that role.

He has said it is impacting his progression rather that his current job.

@nutmeggirl
Which of the following grounds do you believe they are falling foul of?

He has outlined a career progression from the factory floor to the office which would be a good defence against any discrimination claim.


Gender
Civil status
Family status
Sexual orientation
Religion
Age (does not apply to a person under 16)
Disability
Race
Membership of the Traveller community

Unless they have every promoted a female employee with an earring to the same position

matrim

matrim wrote: »

Unless they have every promoted a female employee with an ear-ring to the same position

There are no female employees in this company with the exception of two finance admins and a logistics/shipping co-ordinator. That's out of about 100 employees.

So no, no female employees will have been promoted or denied promotion in this role/company on any grounds. Not my company and not my decision to have that kind of ratio or that kind of thing, so please, let's not even start down that particular path folks. (We'd hire women in a heartbeat, but there's just not the interest in working in this field amongst qualified graduates or skilled trades workers)

Ugly piercings on female staff who interacted with customers would be treated just the same in any case.

doolox

Why not leave the stud out while at work and wear it in your free time?

Keep the boss happy and keep you happy in your own time.

I knew a lot of lads who dressed up as Goths and Bikers on the weekend and were all corporate and blue suited respectability during their working hours. Engineering and software environment. The juniors and techs could do as they wanted within reason but a certain level of conformity was expected of the people from supervisors upwards.

I have just found out that some people have problems with earholes closing up during the initial stages, the trick is to get through this initial stage as discretely as you can, maybe flesh coloured studs at the top of the earrings shaft if such a thing exists. Or maybe hair long enough to cover the ears if this is allowed and is not seen as being too "Oscar Wilde".....

AndrewJRenko

JayZeus wrote: »

There are no female employees in this company with the exception of two finance admins and a logistics/shipping co-ordinator. That's out of about 100 employees.

Why doesn't that surprise me?

JayZeus wrote: »

Seriously? Just because he is held back does not mean it's anyone else's fault but his own. I'm done arguing this with you. I've been very clear and if you can't understand that, I don't think I'll be able to help you get any closer to your moment of enlightenment.

On to your second point, his performance is managed already. He does a very good job in fact. I've said as much at least a couple of times. He can also develop his role further, for example by learning new products and technologies to complement his existing capabilities, but that's as far as it goes. How about you accept that I don't have to tell the guy that his piercings are limiting his options. He does a good job. The company are happy. As long as he's happy, it's all good. If he's not happy, he'll have to try his luck elsewhere.

Not. My. Problem.

Just in case you forgot your earlier comments;

He's totally oblivious to it but he earns a lot less than he could (for the same workload) and is held back in his career generally as a result of doing stupid things like getting his ears pierced.

AndrewJRenko

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Why doesn't that surprise me?

Just in case you forgot your earlier comments;

:rolleyes:

I'm done with you.

FionnK86

Folks,

Can’t log back in anonymously AFAIK. The meeting went well, I was offered a new position with a higher salary starting January.

The strange looks stopped about 3 days into work. I pretty much forgot about how nervous I was. Thanks for the replies but I forgot about the thread here!

As for comments about professionalism, I once worked with a multi millionaire CEO who would spit and curse in the office, and he’s still doing pretty well for himself.

Wanderer2010

JayZeus wrote: »

I would find it very difficult to take a middle aged man wearing an ear stud or ring seriously. In fact, I couldn't take them seriously. It's a finance position in an aircraft leasing firm. It's office work, where a professional appearance and demeanour are generally expected. If you drive a forklift in a warehouse or plaster farm sheds, it's a whole other thing.

I worked with a guy who had maybe 6-7 piercings down his left ear, probably many years ago. The holes are still just visible and ever since i spotted them I can't take him seriously at all. He doesn't realise it but the holes in his ear mean I've refused to bring him onto projects for the last 4 years where he'd meet with customers. My reason was perfectly acceptable too.

He's totally oblivious to it but he earns a lot less than he could (for the same workload) and is held back in his career generally as a result of doing stupid things like getting his ears pierced.

By all means, get holes put in your ears as a grown man. Your choice. Don't expect everyone to be okay with your strange behaviour.

Wow, who the hell put you in charge of judging other people in a workplace? I'm pretty sure that plenty of people who work with YOU find lots of annoying things about your clothes/manner or personality but generally people keep it to themselves and get on with the job because its work.

Your attitude is pretty low. Remember, be 100% perfect before your judge others.

Wanderer2010

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

Wow, who the hell put you in charge of judging other people in a workplace? I'm pretty sure that plenty of people who work with YOU find lots of annoying things about your clothes/manner or personality but generally people keep it to themselves and get on with the job because its work.

Your attitude is pretty low. Remember, be 100% perfect before your judge others.

You don't have to like me or my posts and you most certainly don't know me, yet your post is a blatant personal attack, full of hypocrisy.

You are completely wide of the mark from my perspective. I can only imagine much of what I've written resonated with you negatively, most likely having been on the receiving end of it if I had to guess.

Well, so be it. People like me will rarely if ever care what people like you think of them. :rolleyes:

AndrewJRenko

JayZeus wrote: »

People like me will rarely if ever care what people like you think of them. :rolleyes:

And yet, you expect other employees to care greatly about what others might think about tiny, historical issues in their appearance!

AndrewJRenko

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

And yet, you expect other employees to care greatly about what others might think about tiny, historical issues in their appearance!

No.

I expect people to accept that when you get piercings, tattoo’s, weird hair styles or make other choices that have a significant impact on your personal appearance, those choices can and often do have consequences.

Whether any of you like it or not, people judge others ALL THE TIME. It won’t stop. Ever.

Be smart about the decisions you make.

Incidentally, the OP said they’re middle aged.

The ‘OP’ with the positive outcome has logged in from an account where the user has mentioned their being a recent graduate and 24 years of age.

https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057707686/1/#post102659908

A bit of a whiff off that, isn’t there?

AndrewJRenko

JayZeus wrote: »

Whether any of you like it or not, people judge others ALL THE TIME. It won’t stop. Ever.

So when people judge you based on what you say, you don't care about what anyone says. But when you judge others based on tiny issues with their appearance, you're right on the button.

Is there just a little bit of hypocrisy in there somewhere?

dieselbug

I'l bet if a client came in wanting to make a big spend and he had earrings from his eyebrow to his crotch, his boss would be happy enough to entertain him.

Jen Pigs Fly

I have numberous piercings and currently have pink hair.

I work in an official basis service job where I meet face to face with a lot of people, if anything my hair is a good conversation starter before I get down to serious business.

Bosses have said nothing about my hair and piercings, luckily my tattoos are covered.

Wanderer2010

JayZeus wrote: »

You don't have to like me or my posts and you most certainly don't know me, yet your post is a blatant personal attack, full of hypocrisy.

You are completely wide of the mark from my perspective. I can only imagine much of what I've written resonated with you negatively, most likely having been on the receiving end of it if I had to guess.

Well, so be it. People like me will rarely if ever care what people like you think of them. :rolleyes:

Actually you are completely wrong about your view resonating with me at all. I replied because your view was so arrogant and insulting, and strangely out of context with the OPs situation. I mean, do you represent every single occupation and dress standards for each job in Ireland? Of course you don't, so your ridiculous assertion of calling the OP strange stuck out a mile. Who are you anyway, who are you to dictate what people should and shouldn't wear and how they behave?

I guarantee you if I spoke to a few of YOUR workmates they could list a few things about you they find strange or inappropriate but they just dismiss it because its work. Your view of what people should or shouldn't do is just bizarre.