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Like it or not, employers in the U.S. have the legal right to impose and enforce dress-code policies -- including policies about body adornments -- as long as they don't discriminate on race, color, religion, age, national origin, or gender. While many offices in recent years have relaxed their dress codes, some types of attire are considered unprofessional or inappropriate in certain business and commercial establishments. And that goes for body illustrations and nose rings. In some industries, piercings raise concerns about health and safety issues. Many restaurants, cafes, coffee bars, and grocers frown on pierced employees who handle food,
citing a potential health risk to customers. Other employers cite safety issues: Jewelry can get caught in machinery and equipment, endangering the pierced and unpierced alike. The "comfort factor" is also an issue with regard to employee appearance. Some employers argue that "body art" may scare off customers, especially if tattoos portray sexually offensive images or messages. The U.S. Air Force policy spells out its standards on body art and piercings in excruciating detail. Its attitude toward skin pix and perforations is echoed by many potential employers. While all this
may seem unfair to a tattooed or pierced population, it's often a matter of good business. But if you're in no mood to cover your illustrations or remove your jewelry, you might want to seek out a piercing-friendly employer. No matter how stringent an appearance code your employer enforces, you can always show off your personal style when you aren't at work.
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