I am confused because, I am a teen and not got a job yet, but my parents were saying how jobs wont hire people with stretched ears or alot of tattoos. Isn't that technically discrimination?? It's our bodies and that doesn't effect the way that we work just cause of what we look like. So if Im wrong please help but yea.

SkuLLkiDx1337:

Isn't that technically discrimination??

Yes.

SkuLLkiDx1337:

It's our bodies and that doesn't effect the way that we work just cause of what we look like.

That may be true but body art often draws negative criticism from hiring agents unless you work in a very liberal-minded community and sector.

 

 I can tell when I apply I might be in trouble, I am the kind of guy that speaks his mind and doesn't care what other people think of it. Its unfair :*(

As hackneyed as it sounds, life is unfair. People judge other people based upon their appearance, whether for positive or negative reasons.

 Yea and its screwed up :( thanks though

SkuLLkiDx1337:

 I can tell when I apply I might be in trouble, I am the kind of guy that speaks his mind and doesn't care what other people think of it. Its unfair :*(

 

There REALLY is a time and place for everything.  Sometimes speaking your mind costs more than it's worth.

In spite of the illegality of discrimination based on appearance, it is often impossible to prove in court unless there is actual evidence of that discrimination (notes, a recorded conversation, eye witness).  You might be able to get around this by 1) becoming highly trained and skilled in a field in need of workers - but visible mods might prevent you from even getting that far; 2) working in a non-conservative field or 3) getting unobtrusive mods that you can hide during work and letting your freak flag fly.

Yeah.. it's unfair.. but as Axon said. It's life.  If you know that you want to be a substantially modded person, work towards building a life for yourself that will allow that freedom.  It's doable.. you just have to have patience.   

  Certain professions are more lenient about body mods. You can hide mods to an extent with clothing and retainers, but some businesses just aren't ok with it. A lot of places are becoming more accepting though since mods are becoming more common. For now, if you haven't already, check out this: http://www.modifiedmind.com/employline.html Oh and one of the moderators on here, Adwoa, once posted a photo of herself in a suit to show you can have mods and fit the standard professional look. Definitely opened my eyes, because I too used to think it was impossible to be a modded professional. 

Edit: I guess Adwoa and I were typing at the same time, haha beat me to it

my husband was fired from a tattoo shop- while he was piercing!!- bc he got his horns. something to think about

 As a business owner with quite a few employees, I have a bit of knowledge about hiring. I can absolutely NOT hire you because of your body modifications. It is NOT illegal to do so. I can't do so because of sex, race, religion, etc. But tattoos and piercings can be grounds for not hiring someone. As a teen you should realize that your parents are always just telling you things to control you but might have something important to teach you. As for being a lippy person, good luck. I can tell from your post that your interview with me would not last long, no matter how qualified you might be. 

 

fyi: I am not trying to bash you but trying to answer your question and give some advice. 

Jagerick:

I can absolutely NOT hire you because of your body modifications. It is NOT illegal to do so.

 

Rick you are right. However, I've worked for several organizations that have no discrimination based on personal appearance as part of their bylaws.  Granted these have been progressive organizations... and that's never truly been put to the test.

from what I understand (and I could be mistaken about this), it's legal to not employ someone based on their body mods because those are a choice you made. it's like if I showed up to work in a bank wearing a bikini -- that was my choice, and I'm gonna get in trouble for it. gender, sexual orientation, religion, race, things like that aren't considered something you can easily change but things like how many holes you have in your ears or face ... you decided to get those mods.

I would recommend you only do minor/easily disguisable/reversible mods until you figure out what you want to do and gauge how likely visible mods are going to be accepted in that field, but that's just my opinion. : )

Kaitlin N:

my husband was fired from a tattoo shop- while he was piercing!!- bc he got his horns. something to think about

that is completely amazing...  and quite a bummer...  i hope he found a 'better' place to work since then...

to the OP, it turns out that personal-appearance is indeed a factor that can be used to weed out candidates for jobs...  and since this is a 'down' economy where there are more-workers than jobs, it seems prudent to make yourself more-marketable rather than less-so...  otoh, there are places/jobs where being outspoken and unique can be a benefit, rather than a hindrance...  and there are some employers (a minority amount, imo) employers who realize that multiple-viewpoints can be useful to productivity, rather than a hindrance... 

there is an old expression - you reap what you sow...  thus, i would recommend that you pay attention to what you are sowing/showing...  :-)

Kaitlin, that's nuts!!  I would think horns would be accepted at a place that performs body modifications!!

OP, I know it's basically been covered, but because modifications are a choice you make, unlike your sex, looks, etc, you can totally not be hired because of them.  You choose to get mods knowing that there's a chance you'll be looked at/looked down upon for them.  For now, until you figure out your career, I'd keep your mods to a minimum or in coverable spots.

I kinda understand now, but still it sucks. Ill just have to look at the differenet jobs and things.

It does suck.  Explore your options..just don't base your whole career around your mods, ya know?  Piercings can be retired if the job is worth it.  Don't go into something you'll end up hating, just because they allow mods...just saying.