I got a couple of small face piercings and my employer said that I had to remove them otherwise I would lose my job. I have always been rated a top performer, so how does my face piercing have anything to do with my ability to do my job? Can they do this?
What is the appeal of the face piercing? Was it a wild weekend with buddies and you woke up with regret? Are you trying to make a statement, or is it a true fashion choice like earrings? I’m only being half snarky here — some face piercings are discreet, while others look like the person would spring a leak when drinking. To each his own, and that goes for the employer too. Employers have the right to enact a dress code which includes visible piercings and tattoos. They may want to enforce a certain culture or employer brand, internally and externally. Or, the powers that be may just not like piercings. If you want to play for the New York Yankees, you can’t have facial hair because they want a certain look for their brand. So the choice is yours. Take out the piercings while at work, or look for another job.
I run a bodega and one of my workers grabs a soda from the display case and a newspaper and reads it in the basement on his break. Sometimes he returns the papers to the newsstand and other times they are left in the basement. I don’t want to appear cheap, and it is so hard to find help, but he is technically stealing my products. How do you suggest that I handle this?
Which newspaper is he reading? If it’s not this one, then you should fire him for his bad taste in news source. OK, I jest — but I’m not sure that he is technically stealing the soda if he is taking it openly and knows that you are aware. He may think it’s OK because you aren’t telling him otherwise. And he isn’t removing the newspaper from the premises, so he isn’t stealing that. You are right, though — good help is hard to find. If he is solid and dependable, you may want to let him know that he can’t help himself to merchandise, but maybe a good perk of the job is that you provide lunch or snacks on a break. Small price to pay for good help.
Gregory Giangrande has over 25 years of experience as a chief human resources executive. Hear Greg Weds. at 9:35 a.m. on iHeartRadio 710 WOR with Len Berman and Michael Riedel. E-mail: GoToGreg@NYPost.com. Follow: GoToGreg.com and on
Twitter: @GregGiangrande