Self-Injury Support Group

Whether you or someone you know or love struggles with self-injury, this is the community to discuss your experience, find support, meet others going through the same, and get advice on how to stop. Working together, we can help find alternative coping skills to reduce the urge to self-harm.

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VolatileVacuum 03/15/2011

I've been applying for a job at numerous places lately, and now that I've thought about it, I'm incredibly scared that one of them will actually consider hiring me. Most of the places I applied to (fast food restaurants) have uniforms, and all the employees I saw were wearing short sleeves.

If I were to get a job that required me wearing long sleeves, could I be fired or denied a job for cutting? I have hundreds of scars that are very visible and cuts that I can't hide with a short sleeved shirt.

SecretlyDamaged 03/15/2011

i dont kno about where you live but i live in Western Australia
and recently went for a drive with my bf and his mate and there was a girl at a maccas who had deep scars. like sugery scars on her wrists and arms, very visable, very noticable, she wasnt particularly chatty or anything.... just saying, she was working there...
i work in a kitchen in a hospital. people see my arms and im still working. so.... i think there might be concerns with fresh cuts... unhygenic or somthign... but i think you might be able to get away with it. just be 'normal' whatevr that is :)

deleted_user 03/15/2011

Open cuts can be problematic due to risk of infection. But scars, they can't use that as a valid reason to fire someone. You could sue. Fast food places typically let you layer a long sleeve under the uniform if you'd feel better doing that. I wouldn't worry :) it's all gonna work out for you. I have horrid scars and I have worked in clothing retail, restaurants, and as model. It never impacted my jobs. I'm sure it'll be the same for you :)

deleted_user 03/16/2011

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to fire someone just because they have scars. I don't even think the manager is allowed to ask about that, but I could be wrong. But if you have any open cuts just be sure to treat them and cover them up so they don't get infected. Yes, you could sue if you do end up getting fired for the scars, but that probably really won't happen. Try not to worry about it, and good luck :)

sempermedusa 03/16/2011

I work actually in Children's Ministry at a church that I do not attend. I teach Sunday school and I work in the nursery during the week. During my breaks I help with the preschool and I am very active with another ministry there which is designed to provide support to hurting children and teens. Long story short, I have small children who look up to me and think I am the best thing since sliced bread. I am supposed to be a positive role model for them. While most of my scars are hidden and on my hips, there are some on my arms. In fact, I have suicide scars from past failed attempts. The children's minister, my boss, is fully aware of my past suicide attempts, and of my past and current struggles with self-injury, and had been for months before she officially hired me. Clearly, even with my scars and knowing what I do, she saw it fit to hire me, as did the coordinator of children's ministries. It was not an issue before they hired me, and it is not an issue now. Point being, if my self-injury has not kept me from working in a place where I am teaching about God (and I have had people, not at that church, but others, tell me that I am an abomination in His sight for what I have done) to small children who look up to me, where I am expected to be a positive role model, then your scars should not be a obstacle for flipping burgers.

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