Can I (legally) be asked to remove my 9 ear piercings if they're part of my religion?

My clinic supervisor for massage therapy is asking me to remove my nine ear piercings (they are unobtrusive, and I don't have any facial which would be considered a health risk in my field). Can she do that if they have religious significance?
Additional Details
Thank you to all those who provided HELPFUL answers.

However, I should have be more specific: it is a clinical placement within my college where I am in my first semester. After I graduate, I intend to begin my own practice.

FYI: I exluded that they are Pagan Rite of Passage piercings because I thought that I would be ridiculed because of the amount of bigots on Yahoo Answers. They represent several stages of my life.

every1lovesamixedgirl

Well, there is probably something in the school's handbook that addresses dress code, but likely nothing that addresses religious issues regarding the dress code, so if I were you, and couldn't take the piercings out for the time you're in clinicals, I'd go to the dean of the school and plead my case.

Leogirl0804

what religion would that be? By the way, yes they can.

katydint

Your beliefs are likely viewed, at best, as cult-ish, and not recognized as valid in the mainstream sense. Sure, she can. Please consider searching for a more supportive and nurturing environment to work in, a place where you're accepted for your skill and talent, not appearance.
Or, come to Santa Cruz, CA!

voiceofreason

religious significance...?...come on....you're just stubborn....if you use religion as a crutch, no one will ever respect you or your religion

lonewolf1

Don't put religion into this, you are only trying to use an excuse for your piercings, and your wrong for using religion...!!!

Ronin

You're going to have to get some kind of proof, I'd say.

Dove4ever

Yes its legal, as you see on my profile am in the law field, especaily it could be hazardes to the suronding.if your religin is more important,find a place that will take you with your piercings and they would respect that.

C = JD

"Part of my religion"? Exactly who do you think you're fooling? No religion mandates "9 ear piercings" as a tenet of that faith.

IF IT DID, you'd provide a link.

You simply like your earrings and are being stubborn. When you work in the health field, you aren't always free to do what you wish.

Wolf

An employer can make you do that, yes. Their productivity is what matters to them, not your religion. I personally think that's a shame, but it's the truth.

The Dude

You should be fired for trying to claim your piercings have religious signifigance.

thelement_99

some employers just might ask you todo so

If a school or workplace has a strict dress code, you should submit to that code, just like everyone else.

I think it's to do with metal objects and conductivity - I have to remove my watch before having reflexology. If it means that much to you then you'll just have to do without the massage! Quite interested to know what sort of religion you're involved in.

neo_genesis10

If there is a valid health and safety reason why they should be removed, then yes your supervisor is entirely within her authority to ask you to remove them. Your best bet is to ask her for the reason why they should be removed and decide from there.

CaReBeAr

What religious significance do they have? I would say she can't make you.

Crazybird

You said they had relegious significance. A cross or something has "relegious significance" as well and they make people remove them in certain situations. Especially in the health field. I mean if you were denied entrance in the school because you had them it would be more a case of discrimination.....but they are just asking you to remove them while you're in school. It could have something to do with their insurance policies.....or it could also be the fact of pressure points in your ear that you may learn about and you're earrings would be in the way.

Anne

No she can't, but you might have to prove that they are part of the religion, either by showing her some religious text or by a note from a regional leader. if she does make you go through that she's being rediculous.

larry j

ask a jealous midget

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