Men with Earrings

dragon300zx

I was just informed that after having worked here for almost a year, and no new management changes, that I can't have an earring anymore. Needless to say I am now looking for a new job as I wasn't super happy here lately anyways. But am I the only one who thinks this is rediculous. Even EDS was willing to overlook their dresscode (keep in mind this wasn't in the dress code till today) as long as I wore a small silver stud instead of the small black or silver hoops I normally wear. I mean common even Andy has an earring. It's been a common thing since the 90's. Next they will say I can't dye my hair blonde. What do you guys think. Especially want to hear from Andy considering he has a high power position where he works.

Andy

dragon300zx wrote:

I was just informed that after having worked here for almost a year, and no new management changes, that I can't have an earring anymore. Needless to say I am now looking for a new job as I wasn't super happy here lately anyways. But am I the only one who thinks this is rediculous. Even EDS was willing to overlook their dresscode (keep in mind this wasn't in the dress code till today) as long as I wore a small silver stud instead of the small black or silver hoops I normally wear. I mean common even Andy has an earring. It's been a common thing since the 90's. Next they will say I can't dye my hair blonde. What do you guys think. Especially want to hear from Andy considering he has a high power position where he works.

gee, and to think, when you leave you'll miss that peach of a boss you have

seriously, i wouldn't work *anywhere* where they told me such nonsense. i'm routinely in the offices of the top wall street firms, suit/tie etc. and not once, not ever, in the past 10 years since i got pierced, has my diamond stud ever caused me a problem or cost me any business.

dragon, good riddance to them!

marlof

You dye your hair *and* wear an earring? I'm amazed you ever got into a job.

Just kidding of course: I think in most situations this kind of dress codes is made up by people who have lost touch with the real world, and project their thoughts on this subject on what they believe customers will think. If people truly believe that in these days a guy wearing an earring would make a difference in the professional atmosphere in a company, they must live in a different world than I do.

That said: there are some jobs where if I were employer, I'd disallow wearing earrings. Sumu wrestler being one of them.

dragon300zx

Thanks Andy thats what I thought to. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't out of line. I mean even EDS let me have it. Plus when I was working for myself I would go into corporate board rooms with an earring, my colored hair, and decent clothes on (by no means the suit and tie kinda thing), to do quotes for large financial companies, large sports stadiums, etc and never had a problem. They were paying for my skills not my fashion sense.

Oh and just so you know the job I do. I am an IT director. I take photos, design websites, control the network, buy IT products, etc. No worries bout moving machinery in a factory ripping the earring out.

Frank

Sometimes these seemingly "little" job issues are indicators of more general problems. Years ago, after fighting the system at the "phone company" for years, I reached my tolerance level for stupidity (my analysis) and stood up at a meeting and said "I Quit!"

I walked out of the room shaking, no idea what I'd do next. Heck, I'd worked 26 years and had never even written a resume. I leaned against a fountain and a friend came by and asked me: "What are you smiling about?" I cracked up laughing, realizing how good it felt (despite the panic) to have burned a bridge.

To cut this a bit short... ...within three months I was working at Sun Microsystems, surrounded by technology and brilliant people from all over the world. Greatly boosted my salary, flexible hours, work from home, all the modern perks. It did take most of the 1st year to relax my dress code. :-)

Anyway Dragon - It just might be time for a shift. It can really feel GREAT to get into the right gear.

Good Luck,

- Frank

4labs

dragon300zx wrote:

Thanks Andy thats what I thought to. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't out of line. I mean even EDS let me have it. Plus when I was working for myself I would go into corporate board rooms with an earring, my colored hair, and decent clothes on (by no means the suit and tie kinda thing), to do quotes for large financial companies, large sports stadiums, etc and never had a problem. They were paying for my skills not my fashion sense.

Oh and just so you know the job I do. I am an IT director. I take photos, design websites, control the network, buy IT products, etc. No worries bout moving machinery in a factory ripping the earring out.

Dragon it's all about priorities. When I got out of college I had an earing but I wanted to manage money on wall street so I took it out because there was no way in hell I was getting the job I wanted with a pierced ear. You don't love your job to begin with but I am sure if you liked what you did and you made the kind of money you wanted and your employer wanted you to take the earing out at work maybe you would think twice about it.

I doubt andy would be able to walk into the same wall street firms 20 yrs ago with an earing like he does now. Times have changed. I kind of liked the days when you had to wear a suit and tie to work. That's why it's called work.

dragon300zx

Oh, I'll take it out till I find a new job. But do a search on my posts about my office manager. The level of stupidity here is rising and time to find a new ship before this one goes titanic.

4labs

dragon300zx wrote:

Oh, I'll take it out till I find a new job. But do a search on my posts about my office manager. The level of stupidity here is rising and time to find a new ship before this one goes titanic.

Hopefully you will find a job where you can be yourself and your skill is what matters and not how you dress or what color your hair is..good luck in the search.

colourbox

4labs wrote:

I kind of liked the days when you had to wear a suit and tie to work. That's why it's called work.

No, that's why it's called "white-collar" work.

I wouldn't walk up to a big construction worker and tell him he isn't doing real work because he hasn't got a suit and tie on.

JamesJWeg

dragon300zx wrote:

Oh, I'll take it out till I find a new job. But do a search on my posts about my office manager. The level of stupidity here is rising and time to find a new ship before this one goes titanic.

Personally I would be a little pissed if someone took it out for the interview, the interview is all about figuring out if you and the company go together, that is the time to find out if they have a problem with it, not later. You are that much better off if they just never hire you because of it, then you don't have to deal with the BS later. Having it actually gives the interviewer a chance to ask if you object to to removing it at certain times/conditions etc. There are some jobs where ALL jewelrey is prohibited due to safty. A friend of mine had a hard time explaining to his wife that he couldn't wear his wedding ring at work.

James.

dragon300zx

JamesJWeg wrote:

Personally I would be a little pissed if someone took it out for the interview, the interview is all about figuring out if you and the company go together, that is the time to find out if they have a problem with it, not later. You are that much better off if they just never hire you because of it, then you don't have to deal with the BS later. Having it actually gives the interviewer a chance to ask if you object to to removing it at certain times/conditions etc. There are some jobs where ALL jewelrey is prohibited due to safty. A friend of mine had a hard time explaining to his wife that he couldn't wear his wedding ring at work.

James.

I ment I will take it out during the day where I work now. The big problem si the stupidity in the company now, and this isn't a safety concern, I don't interact with our clients, or anything like that. It's just the office manager and owner trying to put people on a leash.

patch29

Discrimination, do women have to remove them? Can women wear pants vs skirt? I see a kilt in your future. I think that is too far for them to take a dress code. If it was a lot of metal I could see issues, but a small earring.

dragon300zx

A kilt. Brilliant. I wonder where I can find one.

patch29

dragon300zx wrote:

A kilt. Brilliant. I wonder where I can find one.

Just don't blame me when they hand you a pink slip. Just tell them you are mourning the passing of Scotty. :cry

JamesJWeg

dragon300zx wrote:

A kilt. Brilliant. I wonder where I can find one.

rofl

James.

patch29

Try you local tuxedo rental shop.

GREAPER

dragon300zx wrote:

A kilt. Brilliant. I wonder where I can find one.

Just about any Catholic school girl can get you a plaid skirt...



Just kidding.

Are you the only male in your company with an earing?

If you are, and it has not been a rule before, it is probably actionable harassment.

Sam

dragon300zx wrote:

I was just informed that after having worked here for almost a year, and no new management changes, that I can't have an earring anymore. Needless to say I am now looking for a new job as I wasn't super happy here lately anyways. But am I the only one who thinks this is rediculous. Even EDS was willing to overlook their dresscode (keep in mind this wasn't in the dress code till today) as long as I wore a small silver stud instead of the small black or silver hoops I normally wear. I mean common even Andy has an earring. It's been a common thing since the 90's. Next they will say I can't dye my hair blonde. What do you guys think. Especially want to hear from Andy considering he has a high power position where he works.

It's time. You need to move on.

I think 4Labs made a good point about if you liked the job, and money.

Also if there was a reason that you could at least understand, even if you dissagreed with that reason, I think you would be more amicable.

Never argue with idiots. You will never know as much as they think they do.

Take ear ring out, go to work, smile, put resumes out, find new job, say bye, bye.

Sam

Angelo

you may be ready for a change but I might suggest that you:

a) ask to speak with a decision maker regarding this issue. be that the OM, a Personnel manager or the owner.

b) find out the reason behind the change of policy. keep your head on straight and your ears open... you might hear something "between the lines"

c) ask if the new policy applies to all employees (hint: females?) I guarantee it doesn't.

d) respectfully refuse to comply on that basis.

My point: You want to leave anyway? fine; but do it in a way (termination) that not only ensures you unemployment benefits but also a possible cause of action for discrimination.

Nobody likes a quitter so think about how you'll explain why you've left this position to a future employer.

DavidTO

Angelo wrote:

Nobody likes a quitter so think about how you'll explain why you've left this position to a future employer.

While I agree with a lot of what Angelo says, I would also point out that no one wants to hire a pain in the ass, either.

wholenewlight

dragon300zx wrote:

A kilt. Brilliant. I wonder where I can find one.

I think this one would be a particularly great choice.:nono :wow


http://www.scotwebstore.com/landing/kilts

On wearing kilts:
You can wear a kilt any time you'd wear trousers! Kilts are amazingly versatile, and can be used to create countless looks, according to the impact you want to make! This could include a tweed jacket, shirt and tie; or a chunky jersey, rolled-down socks, and hiking boots; or the romantic, loose-fitting jacobite shirt; or a simple T-shirt and sneakers, with or without socks. In the end, wherever and however you wear your kilt, you'll be on the receiving end of plenty of admiring attention!

dragon300zx

Angelo wrote:

you may be ready for a change but I might suggest that you:

a) ask to speak with a decision maker regarding this issue. be that the OM, a Personnel manager or the owner.

b) find out the reason behind the change of policy. keep your head on straight and your ears open... you might hear something "between the lines"

c) ask if the new policy applies to all employees (hint: females?) I guarantee it doesn't.

d) respectfully refuse to comply on that basis.

My point: You want to leave anyway? fine; but do it in a way (termination) that not only ensures you unemployment benefits but also a possible cause of action for discrimination.

Nobody likes a quitter so think about how you'll explain why you've left this position to a future employer.

I'm going to talk to the owner tomorrow cause this is really getting on my nerves. It's a load of crap. I will ask him these questions and talk to the ACLU. No one else in the office but the women wear them so it is pretty much directed right at me. I don't interact with clients, and even if I did it wasn't a problem for EDS. If I was a cross dresser or having a sex change they would have to deal with it or face lawsuits. It's just a freaking earring that most people don't even notice.

patch29

I would google to see what turns up to see if there are any precedents in the courts before confronting your boss. It may help shed some light on your frustrations.

dragon300zx

Already done it.

Angelo

DavidTO wrote:

While I agree with a lot of what Angelo says, I would also point out that no one wants to hire a pain in the ass, either.

Amen brother!

Angelo

wholenewlight wrote:

I think this one would be a particularly great choice.:nono :wow


http://www.scotwebstore.com/landing/kilts

On wearing kilts:
You can wear a kilt any time you'd wear trousers! Kilts are amazingly versatile, and can be used to create countless looks, according to the impact you want to make! This could include a tweed jacket, shirt and tie; or a chunky jersey, rolled-down socks, and hiking boots; or the romantic, loose-fitting jacobite shirt; or a simple T-shirt and sneakers, with or without socks. In the end, wherever and however you wear your kilt, you'll be on the receiving end of plenty of admiring attention!

but please be sure to wear underwear or you might find yourself dismissed for entirely different reasons than an earring!!!

patch29

From the quick google search I did, it did not look favorably for you. I was getting the feeling that the company can set a dress code. I just want you to be careful, even if you convinced them you are correct and they are wrong you will become a thorn and it could make work unpleasant. If you truly do not like working there I would find a new job first. Good luck, it is sad that they would make an issue over this.

dragon300zx

I'm still looking for a new job but I am also looking for a clear plastic stud earring. Might have to custom make one myself but their argument is that they simply don't want to see men wearing earrings (morons), well a clear plastic earring that looks like your skin pretty much can't be seen.

Sam

dragon300zx wrote:

I'm going to talk to the owner tomorrow cause this is really getting on my nerves. It's a load of crap. I will ask him these questions and talk to the ACLU. No one else in the office but the women wear them so it is pretty much directed right at me. I don't interact with clients, and even if I did it wasn't a problem for EDS. If I was a cross dresser or having a sex change they would have to deal with it or face lawsuits. It's just a freaking earring that most people don't even notice.

OK, I gota ask, who or what is EDS? Also how long have you worked there, and have you always worn an earring?

Even though you are the only guy wearing an earring, I believe the company may have the right to change the dress code. Of course since you are the only guy that does wear an earring, and if they have accepted this for any length of time, it then becomes apparent it is directly aimed at you alone, and is discriminatory, yet it still might be legal, state laws vary.

CA is a right to work state meaning that an employer may fire a worker for any and / or no reason at all. Nice huh?

Please don't call the ACLU. That's like making a deal with Satan.

Sam

dragon300zx

EDS Electronic Data Systems. Huge computer consulting company that works for GM and other large companies like that. They used to be part of GM.

I have worked here for almost a year and always had an earring in.

Andy

dragon300zx wrote:

EDS Electronic Data Systems. Huge computer consulting company that works for GM and other large companies like that. They used to be part of GM.

I have worked here for almost a year and always had an earring in.

if i were you, i'd be speaking with my attorney. does it clearly state in the eds employee manual that earrings for men are not allowed? i betcha you have a little discrimination thing brewing here. i'm not a lawyer, you should consult your own or drink some kava and have a cherry ripe....