Normalizing Piercings in the Workplace

Why can’t we rock a nose ring in court?

by KATIE HILL ★ FEBRUARY 4, 2021

Earrings are the accessory that makes any outfit complete. For many people, including myself, leaving the house without giant silver hoops or gold huggies is a tragedy and complete social suicide. We feel as if we’re naked, lacking an essential piece of our ensemble for the day. The absence of piercings in general, not just ear piercings, can spawn these emotions for anyone who sports them. 

Unlike a person’s religion, ethnicity, gender, or race, the presence of body piercings is not considered illegal discrimination in the workplace. Unless your piercings are part of your religious beliefs, they are prime targets for unfair treatment at work, losing promotions, or not being hired at all. 

Employers have the power to set a workplace dress code. If your employer isn’t a fan of your piercings, they are allowed to ask you to remove them, and failure to comply may cost you your job. But hey, what about those hip women in the TV shows we all watch killin’ it at work with their millions of ear piercings and their trendy nose rings? The answer is that workplace dress codes are significantly different depending on your profession. Working at a lifestyle magazine, especially one geared toward young adults, has a very different dress code than a law firm. But, why should it?

These days,“professional attire” for women in most workplaces consists of a pantsuit, lengthy skirt, or modest dress. When it comes to hair or accessories, most women are expected to look clean and collected with minimal additions, the classic pearls if anything. These expectations are what make it so difficult for employees who are a little edgier, one could say, to feel like themselves in the workplace. When the traditional looking employee spots an extra piercing or two on their coworker, their thoughts immediately bounce to “that’s so unprofessional,” “she’s a mess,” or “she must be goth.” People have such a hard time accepting anyone slightly different looking because attire in the workplace has been set in stone for so long. It has always been a rule that you must appear “professional” at work, but people can’t seem to accept that a new professional may include a few piercings.

Credit: Pinterest

The way people are viewed in their workplace should be based on the quality of work that they deliver, not the way they look. Piercings, no matter where they are located on the body, are a form of self-expression and personality. Everyone should be allowed to express who they are, regardless of their profession.

Now, *clears throat* calling all lawyers, all doctors, all accountants, all journalists, all whatever profession you may be, to PLEASE GO ROCK your piercings at work. Show your current or future employer how awesome you are, even with a little bit of metal. And if they don’t want you with all of your piercings, go somewhere else where they do, kill it, and make more money than the loser who wouldn’t hire you.

Cover photo credit: Instagram (@fkatwigs)