My Boss won't let me wear my Plugs at work
Jan 5, 2023 / by Alex Peace
So your boss just said you cannot wear your plugs in your stretched ears at work. I know the feeling. I love my piercings and have been stretching my ears for years. Over my years of stretching my ears I have been through many careers and bosses. It took me a long time to figure out the right job and place for me in the workplace. I do now of course have a job that accepts my stretched ears, but this took a lot of growing up and internal reflection. The reality of the world is that there still are going to be workplaces that frown upon plugs in stretched ears. So what to do?
For starters, it’s important to understand why your workplace may have such a policy. Generally, the goal of these policies is to maintain a professional image. By enforcing certain dress codes, employers can ensure that employees are presenting themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the company. This includes restricting items that may be seen as too casual or distracting.
Many employers have rules in place that dictate what kind of clothing and accessories employees can wear. This often includes rules about visible piercings and tattoos. Even if the employer doesn't have a dress code specifically about plugs, you wouldn't want to risk going against the rules and potentially getting reprimanded. Especially if you really liked the job. There has been jobs were I went ahead and took out my plugs and just accepted this is the way they want to run their business. The overall goal of the company outweighed my individual appearance.
Underworld Tree Teardrop Plugs (Pair)
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Inverted Steel Cross Ear Weights (Pair)
Second, I need to consider how my plugs might be perceived by my coworkers and customers. Although ear stretching are becoming pretty much accepted in mainstream culture, there are still people out there who won't understand why I wear them. They could potentially be offended and think I'm making a statement or trying to be too edgy. Even if I'm not, it's important to be aware of how my style can be interpreted by others. The plugs might also be a distraction to the sale you are trying to make to a customer.
It’s also important to consider the safety aspect. While it’s rare, there are certain jobs where wearing ear jewelry could be a hazard. For example, in a hospital setting, wearing plugs or other jewelry could pose a risk of contamination. Additionally, in certain jobs, such as construction, wearing plugs may be seen as a safety risk due to the potential of falling out of your stretched ears and being caught in machinery.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you have to give up your ear stretching journey. There are still ways to get creative with your look, while still adhering to workplace policies. For example, many people who stretch their ears have opted to wear flesh-colored silicone tunnels. These can be worn in the ears to give the appearance of a stretched ear, without actually having to wear a plug. Additionally, some workplaces may also be open to other forms of body jewelry, such as a small nose ring or facial piercing.
Ultimately it will come down to your goals and personal choices. If you really believe in the company and like what you are doing than you can just suck it up and find some other way to express yourself. If ear stretching is more important than the job maybe it is time for you to find a job that accepts your tattoos, plugs, and body jewelry. There are so many different jobs and employers in the world. Find the job that fits who you are along with what you want to accomplish in life :)
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