Stretched ears in the workplace?

Jul 2, 2014

Lizzy W.

I agree with Erin. I don't have a problem with stretched ears, but I think it's important to be realistic.
When you're young, a cool, unique look can often help you land retail jobs at stores that mostly have a teen/young adult market. For freelance/artistic careers, it won't really affect you.
But for corporate work, it could be a big disadvantage. If you go for a college interview, and your stats are just as good as someone else's, they would rather take the person without the stretched ears. We can be as liberal as we want, and say we don't care if we get judged, but at the end of the day law schools and firms have to be on the conservative side. They want someone with a professional look who they can take seriously, and who they know will take their job seriously. Sadly it doesn't matter how smart or capable or dedicated you are; they are going to judge you and overlook you for jobs because of your gauges. It sucks, becauss your appearance does not affect your abilities in any way, but from their point of view, you are not a smart or profitable person to hire, because clients would rather have someone who looks...well, boring, ordinary, and professional.
Of course, this may not be true for every single firm on the planet, but it's just something you should be aware of. From what I've heard, 8mm is the maximum you should stretch your ears if you want any chance of them returning to their normal size. If you are seriously considering a job in the corporate world, then you need to decide if it's worth the risk of continuing to stretch your ears. If you want it bad enough, you have to be willing to make sacrifices for your future. And if you don't, then you need to find that thing that you are so passionate about that you would give everything up just for a shot at your dreams. In the words of Charles Bukowski, "Find what you love and let it kill you."

Jul 2, 2014

Shaye M.

I just want to say.. I was at 22mm and after taking them out I can wear earrings again like normal. It really depends on your body and how thick your lobes were to begin with.

Jul 2, 2014

Caitriona H.

Lets nip this 'not hiring someone because they have tattoos is discrimination' in the bud now so that you don't say it to an employer.
"In fact, it’s very common for employers to have a dress code policy that may ban visible tattoos and piercings. Many employers also have policies that require employees to totally remove body piercings while in the office or cover tattoos with clothing and/or makeup.
There are a number of protected classes when it comes to employment law. Employers are prohibited from discriminating against candidates based on age, gender, disability, national origin, pregnancy and a number of other categories.
However, there are no current laws that prohibit discrimination against people with visible tattoos, body piercings, unnatural hair colors, unique hairstyles, and so on." (link down the bottom)

I love stretched ears, I love mad coloured hair and I have tattoos but the reality is that if you choose to do that to your body, you're choosing to make employment a little harder to find. If you had tiny stretched ears that look like earrings you're fine. If you have tattoos that are easy to cover with a short sleeved t-shirt, you're sailing.


http://www.careerealism.com/hiring-discrimination-tattoos-piercings/#!7gGAL

Jul 2, 2014

sarah p.

I have small stretched lobes and often get away with them at work but be prepared, there are boss's out there who don't like them. I've been asked to take mine out or "hide them "a few times now. if you keep the size 8 mm or under they nearly always go back to normal once taken out.

Jul 2, 2014

Kitty K.

Lizzy is spot on about the subject and it is actually legal in Florida to 'discriminate' your potential employees. Meaning, if I were to open a Chinese restaurant and only wanted Asians or employees who look Asian I am 100% allowed to do that. I am also allowed to fire you the same way.
There are a lot of people working for Law, so where your areésumé is there will be another one just like it.
Ultimately its up to your employer, not what you think what's right or wrong.
It's unfortunate and quite silly but I have yet to see a judge/circuit clerk/ or lawyer with body modifications. Most law firms that you apply to will even say that it's not allowed. Now a days the whole body modification is getting worse... Although we are growing in accepting it.. seems that other places are getting tighter on the matter.
My best friend is in the national guard... They are not allowing visible tattoos anymore. Police officers as well.. Although there are people who already have them, they are waived from the rule.
So basically any new recruits are not allowed to get them.
Is it silly? Yes.
Should we judge people based on body modifications? Absolutely not.
But when it comes to your career you need to face these type of decisions with 110% reality not 'what if's'.

Jul 2, 2014

Josii c.

Thanks everyone! Again I did this out of curiosity and I was just wondering how strict certain job fields were on body mods. (: