20-year-old works for parents for 4 years, gets fired after getting a tongue piercing: 'They're using it to punish me'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Mar 18, 2026 9:00 AM EDT

The problem with working for family is that the personal can often override the professional. Those petty disagreements and long-held grudges are not just confined to the home, but become a part of the working environment as well. While nepotism can feel like the comfortable route when it comes to navigating the rocky landscape of the job market, it can come back to bite you. There are downsides to being at the top of the hiring list just because you happen to be related.

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  • A young woman smiles as she shows her tongue piercing
    via Lorenzo Nafissi

    A young woman smiles as she shows her tongue piercing

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • For young people in particular, it can be common for their first job to be working at their parents' business. While this offers a useful stepping stone into the world of work, it is also the perfect setup for parents to exercise an unnecessary level of control over their kids as they get older. At the same time, an employee should not be able to break the rules or slack off just because they are working for the family business. That is not a fair mentality to have, not least if other workers get treated differently for this.

    It has long been known that many working environments do not approve of body modification. Although attitudes have changed slightly as tattoos and piercings have become more common, there are still plenty of companies, big and small, that refuse to allow such things to be a part of their dress code. It just does not fit with the image they are trying to portray, and sometimes it comes with hygiene concerns as well.

  • Worked for parents and was fired. What do I put on my resume?

    As the title says, I've worked for my family since I was 16, I'm 20 now and they hired me on officially at 18.
    via WittyTheStallion
  • Yesterday, I went and got my tongue pierced on whim since I don't really do much of anything aside from work and gym and I felt bored, dumb reason I'll admit but hey, I'm only 20 once.
    via WittyTheStallion
  • Their reason for firing me was that it's against policy but they've never enforced that policy as long as we've been open for business and I know they're using it as a way to punish me for doing something they don't agree with, not because it's something they've been firm on already.
    via WittyTheStallion
  • If they were then they wouldn't have most of the employees they do now. That was all backstory, my actual question is when I make my resume what am I supposed to put for the reason I was let go?
    via WittyTheStallion

  • One young employee was irritated to fired from their parents' business after four years of work because they decided to get a tongue piercing on a whim. The reasoning was that it was against policy, but they argued that the policy had never been enforced before now.

    Faced with the prospect of looking for another job, the disgraced worker asked for advice on how to address this situation with future employers. They did not want it to affect their prospects.

  • They're saying I'm quitting by not showing up but they also don't want me to show up so I'm confused on how to word it and I'm not sure if I even need to include it.
    via WittyTheStallion
  • Sorry for the drama but any help is appreciated! Edit: well I'm happy yall are giving me so much feedback!
    via WittyTheStallion
  • And to the folks asking who the f puts the reason they got fired on their resume?
    via WittyTheStallion
  • I ask that you reread the part where I asked if it was even necessary. Yes, I know it's probably a stupid question but that's why I asked it.
    via WittyTheStallion
  • I'd rather you kind folks clarify it here before I took something like that to an interview.
    via WittyTheStallion
  • A young woman laughs next to a string of fairy lights
    via Igor Rodrigues

    A young woman laughs next to a string of fairy lights

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • GarageQueen >They're saying I'm quitting by not showing up but they also don't want me to show up So, which is it? were you actually fired? or did they tell you not to show up until you take out the tongue piercing?
    via GarageQueen
  • Witty TheStallion Original Poster's Reply They don't want me there with the piercing. I'm fairly certain if I took it out they'd let me go back to work but I don't think it's right they're only enforcing it now that I, their 20 year old child, is the one with a piercing they don't like. It's unreasonable considering they had no problem hiring multiple. employees with visible piercings on their face but mine, hidden in my mouth, is suddenly a problem.
    via WittyTheStallion
  • nancylyn Never put a reason you were let go. You alway have left to pursue different opportunities. And do that. Get experience in other jobs, have you gone to college or learned a trade?
    via nancylyn
  • K-Sparkle8852 You don't need to specify on your resume why you left your last job. If they ask, tell the interviewer it's a family business, you've worked there a few years and are now looking for a role at a different company that provides more opportunity for learning and growth.
    via K-Sparkle8852
  • NeckFar6706 getting fired by your parents is crazy Imao
    via NeckFar6706
  • cap_oupascap You're mixing things up. On a resume, you just write what you did at the job. In an interview, if they ask why you left that job, just say something like "it was my parents' business but I'm ready for new opportunities with long term growth potential." It's really not a big deal. If your parents are saying they're considering it as you quitting, then even better. Just make sure that if future employers call them to confirm employment, they maintain that logic. It sounds like they're
    via cap_oupascap
  • ChickChocolceCreCro List it as a regular job on your resume.
    via ChickChocolceCreCro
  • Bec21-21 You don't write on a resume that you got fired.
    via Bec21-21
  • Daedroh "You're fired, I'll see you at home honey."
    via Daedroh
  • -MaximumEffort- Just put that you worked at the family business. There is no need to list that you were fired. Say you left as you needed to pull away from the family business and follow your passions.
    via -MaximumEffort-

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piercing dress code employee fired resume business parents
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