WIBU to refuse to remove my nose piercing?

[ManonBlackbeak]

Just that really.

I work for an agency doing supply work in schools. Ive been doing this for about three years, and love it. I enjoy it and the flexiability it brings, that I can go on holiday in term time etc. I have regular schools that I go to and get excellent feedback, people ask for me and I'm pretty much always in work. Just for context, I think I'm good at my job.

The whole time Ive been with the agency I've had a small nose stud and no one has ever commented on it. In fact I forget it's there most of the time.

To get to the point I was asked yesterday about going for a potentially long term position at a school Ive never been to before, one of the few Ive never been to in the area. They asked to meet me first and I agreed, which in itself is unusual as usually you just turn up as and when you are needed. They liked me a lot apparently, and would like me take the placement but on the condition that I remove my nose ring. Now I was a bit taken a back at this, and so was my consultant actually. It's never happened before anywhere in three years! It's a tiny stud you can barely see! A ring I'd have understood. An eyebrow or lip ring certainly, but nose stud? Christ, Ive seen loads of teachers and TAs with them!

I'm not even alternative. Ive no visible tattoos, and dress fairly mundanely but this seemed horribly judgey to me. I don't know why? I feel like they've judged me on how I chose to dress and look I suppose.

WIBU to refuse to take it out?

Ah yes. I forgot it was primary age. I think you just have to decide whether you really want the job or not. I don't understand the not removing it out of principle though (I am a bit of a sheep )

They’re aged 4+, not babies or toddlers!

And again, it’s a very western notion that there’s something ‘out there’ about nose rings. They have been in the norm in Asian (Hindu, I think) communities for yonks.

Well if she wants to work in the west, then she's going to come across western notions isn't she.

Just to clarify I didn’t mean refuse to remove it - obviously if that’s their rules and they’ve told you before you accept the job then that’s fair enough, I meant refuse to take the job

Could you wear a clear retainer?
Like this www.ouchbodyjewellery.co.uk/acatalog/Curved-Nose-Retainer-with-1-4mm-Head-030190.html#SID=137

Also available on amazon and ebay.

Stevie - there seems to be a shortage of good accountancy tutors. Especially with the role out of AAT based apprenticeships. Presume FE has less rules than schools

@ShastaBeast thank you so much for this. I hadn't really considered FE. I'll be having a look at that option.

Big thanks

I’m the head of the primary school and I have visible tattoos and a nose stud.

I can understand their objection, dress code, re children in school.
Do you want the job? If you do, you'd have to take it out.

I’ve been thinking about this, I am looking to apply for school jobs. Had my nose pierced a year now, wondered if it would be an issue.... at a LA nursery school I worked in previously the deputy head had hers pierced....

The only job I have ever had that I have taken my nose stud out for was in a City of London law office. I used to put a clear retainer in. Hated doing so as the hole would close round it and I quite often had to pop it out from under a layer of closing skin with a needle...tmi probably but I heal very fast...
I'm now SLT in education and wear it to work, and have tattoos that aren't always covered. I did ask my immediate boss what she would prefer but she wanted me for what I can do not what I look like. We do have a dress code but it's more along the lines of 'don't wear anything revealing' than anything else.

Pmsl, my daughter's friend's parents are both doctors, one an A&e consultant. He has a Mohican and tunnels in his ears. She has much more sedate, but funky coloured hair.

I think that supply staff who may not be there for long shouldn't be made to adhere to this kind of crap. As if you should risk a piercing closing for an impermanent position. They're not unreasonable to ask, but I would turn it down for sure. It speaks volumes for the atmosphere.

If/when the day comes that our PM has "decorative" bits of metal in their face or "tunnels" in their ear, a green mohican or neck tattoos then I guess you can well and truly say such choices are generally accepted as "smart" and "professional" in British society.

Well I have chosen to see a GP who I believe to be the most skilled and competent in my greater area. I am well placed to assess such attributes. It so happens they have piercings, a very ‘modern’ hairstyle and quite an eclectic dress sense. I didn’t realise the ‘done thing’ was to see someone who is second rate but (importantly) has no piercings, a conventional hair cut and wears a tie .

Similarly I would want my child to be taught by teachers and assistants who are best placed for the job not someone who may not be best placed but is there because they were happy to conform to some prehistoric view someone had as to how they should look.

Don't be ridiculous Hopping.

???? In what way. That’s my personal experience and what I would truly value for my kids (or did when they were school age).

In over two decades of professional employment, I have never encountered a colleague with any sort of facial piercing. I cant Imagine expecting to be able to wear a nose piercing to teach. I’m surprised it has never come up before.

If you want a job as a Teacher. You have to follow the code of conduct
if one of the children waltzed in with a nose piercing they'd be sent home.
Why should it be different for you
I cAnt stand the do as I say not as I do attitude.

You can get a small flat plastic retainer for it, I wore one when I was studying my beauty therapy we weren’t allowed facial piercings :)

I think your perfectly reasonable to want to keep it in. However I think your stupid to possibly cost yourself a long term position because you refuse to take it out..,

I think it's strange that they asked you to remove it, and would be worried about how strict/stuffy they are.

If I really wanted/needed the job I would remove it, sounds like you don't need this job though so in your situation i would probably keep nose stud and not cover that school.

Admit I haven't read the thread fully as popped on to check something I'm mid migraine so excuse me for that

So here is my bit - be true to yourself, there were reasons why you got it pierced in the first place.

Example - Doria Ragland (mother to Meghan Markle) didn't take out hers for the royal wedding in May. She met the royal family with it in situ and if its good enough for her and the royals its acceptable for you to leave it in situ

These threads are always useful for working out who are the nasty posters.

YANBU OP.

I cAnt stand the do as I say not as I do attitude

There are countless things adults and specifically teachers can do that pupils can’t. It’s a pretty normal fact of life.

Hopping

This was the ridiculous bit:

I didn’t realise the ‘done thing’ was to see someone who is second rate but (importantly) has no piercings, a conventional hair cut and wears a tie

YABU.
And also precious- it's not a human rights violation.
Also not sure why you view a nose stud as more acceptable than eyebrow or lip. It's still a face piercing.