Is it over for me? (CAN)

[u/Altruistic_Push_1918]

When I was at orientation, a rule was no piercings and no fake nails. Now I love my fake nails but I just decided I’m not gonna get acrylics anymore. I’ll just get press so I can pop them off whenever I need to go to work and I don’t go to work often so I thought this was good. I bought a new nail glue and it’s super strong and my nails hurt so bad when I try to rip one off. I have a super strict floor manager and I really don’t wanna go to work. I don’t know what to do. I’ve really fucked myself over. Does anyone have any tips what should I do?

[u/bj21237]

In most areas of the country, food safety regulations have edicts against false nails as they can harbor bacteria easily even after proper handwashing and sanitation. It isn't your boss being a hard-ass, it is the law. Piercings and hair coloring are individual owners' discression on appearance policy and have no legal basis on your ability to perform the functions of the job-- except they may have a preference on wanting to appear "professional". At the end of the day, if the boss states that is the standard for your employ, unless you had these personal modifications to your appearance prior to these edicts, it is not discriminatory and simply wanting to provide a formal, professional environment instead of valuing individuality.

I understand... I dyed my hair up to my 20s every color under the rainbow but never pierced anything. None of my employers in the 90's and early aughts cared... as long as I did my job and met metrics expected of me. Minimum wage positions are not often supposed to be so rigid but every owner/ manager may want their establishment to play by last centuries' playbook. That is their right and yours to look elsewhere... employment throughout the United States is mutually at will from both sides. Either can increase the value of the working relationship or terminate it at any time, for most any reason. If they cannot accept your abilities at the job, sell yourself to another company that aligns with your values. It is your current managers' loss. And no. 2 weeks notice is a "courtesy" but is by no means required. The owner/ manager will fire you without that buffer and you have no responsibility to not fire your boss by resigning for any reason.

[u/MusicalMoments84 → u/bj21237]

It actually isn't the law on the nails but just what is preferred that you not wear them or have them. I wash my hands so often it hasn't been an issue though.

[u/bj21237 → u/MusicalMoments84]

From the Food Safety organization ServSafe: https://minnesota.safefoodtraining.com/servsafe-neha-best-practices/the-truth-about-food-safety-managers-and-fingernail-hygiene-in-the-kitchen/ :

ServSafe recommends that a food employee can wear artificial nails ONLY IF they also wear gloves that are clean and in good condition. Although, it is a best practice to forgo the nails or check your company policy.

The State of Minnesota, along with many other municipalities, outline this further:

Food safety managers should provide fingernail hygiene training concerning:

• Trimming Fingernails
• Wearing Gloves over Painted Fingernails
• Artificial Fingernails

Fingernails must be trimmed and filed so that they are easily cleanable. Rough fingernail tips can become caught in food product and potentially break off into food or onto preparation surfaces. Rough fingernails can also harbor bacteria in the frayed edges, even with proper handwashing, so maintaining smooth nails is much more than a grooming aesthetic. Long fingernails also pose the risk of breakage, even if carefully filed, so make sure nails are an appropriate length.

Food safety managers should enforce good fingernail hygiene by making it clear that painted or artificial fingernails should never come into contact with any type of food product. Managers should make note of poor fingernail hygiene and instruct employees with painted or artificial nails to cover them with gloves at all times in the kitchen.

As they develop and accredit the industry, along with other organizations, they do have the legal authority to create regulations that are enforced by food and safety inspectors nationwide. These inspectors also require licensure through ServSafe and/or similar. Long story short... if a Food Safety inspector cites a violation they an demand its immediate correction. If it is not on a subsequent inspection, the restaurant can be re-cited, have their license to operate suspended, and/or the establishment permanently closed.