Recently, the BBC had the news topic about tattoos being a barrier for some people to get a job in certain professions. Do you share the opinion of some employers and think it's right not to hire people who have visible tattoos? Or do you think it shouldn't make a difference to the job?
I don't see what the problem is? Tattoos are a choice, its not something that should be shunned. Frankly I believe that everyone should be treated equal regardless of physical ability, appearance, gender or sexuality. We've made some big strides in the past few years to prevent and stop discrimination against disabled people.
I've seen plenty of people in jobs with tattoos and piercings. As long as they are doing their job it really shouldn't matter.
Many business professions have certain standards of dress and appearance. This means tattoo are still stigmatized even today. I know at my place of work one must cover up tattoos if we are going to conventions or anyplace where business associates or vendors could find us. I hope that as the generations roll by, the tattoo taboo will fade as the populace realizes it is about service and work ethic, not what one looks like.
"If you could touch the alien sand and hear the cries of strange birds,
and watch them wheel in another sky, would that satisfy you?"
Oodilolly---
I will state up front that I do not have any tattoos. My wife, however, does have tattoos. Make of this what you wish.
I chose "the middle ground," but it requires some explanation.
First, what type of tattoo and where? That's important! You don't agree? Try this. Two people walk into a Jewish Deli to apply for a job. The first has a small butterfly tattoo on the left ankle. The second has a swastika on the side of the neck. Who's getting the job? Anyone want to debate why the second person should? Didn't think so.
Second, all jobs are not equal. Now, I did not say all jobs are not important, nor did I say all people are not equal. Different jobs have different requirements and there's no way around it. No one expects a construction worker to show up in a suit and tie. No one expects a plumber to show up without tools to do his job. Would you hire a person to deliver your/your wife's baby if that person had no medical training? I didn't think so. Every job has certain expectations... and in some cases a certain appearance is expected.
Third, a person's choice about the type of tattoos and where they are placed can give an indication of that person's decision-making ability. If I am hiring someone to work for me, I want the person who shows the most potential to make the best decisions possible for my company. The choice of tattoos and where they are placed, like it or not, is an indicative factor in the ability of that person to make some decisions.
Finally, I think this will soften as time goes on, but it will not go away. As the boundaries are pushed, the rigid barriers will fade away and tattoos will become more acceptable... within certain limits as illustrated above.
What I really need is a cupholder and a couple of Advil.-Quincy Taggart
As someone who has highly visible tattoos (as far down as my wrist), I would hate to be judged based solely on my appearance rather than on my merits as a potential employee. That being said, it does happen. It is a potential consequence that you should seriously consider before taking the plunge and getting inked. I am in the lucky position where my workplace is quite progressive, and many of my senior management team also have visible tattoos. I can (with certain exceptions) walk around with my shirt sleeves rolled up, and nobody will think twice about it.
The interesting thing is that I still choose to wear long sleeve shirts, so I can cover my arms on short notice when I'm at work. I'm also not a big fan of face, neck and hand tattoos. I think hand and neck tattoos can look beautiful, and occasionally I have to fight off the temptation. Ultimately though, I like having the option to completely cover up if I want.
Obviously it also depends on the design. If you have a nude pinup or gory tattoo on your forearm, then I can certainly see why a potential employer would take that into consideration before hiring you. I'm always conscious of the designs I have permanently put on my skin. In short, I think non-offensive tattoos are absolutely fine and should be welcomed in the workplace as an expression of individuality.
I work in a Medical Center and we employ people who do have tattoos but they need to be covered up while they are working. That is the dress code for our company.
Personally, I don't like tattoos. I don't think they're for me, but just because I don't want them doesn't mean I think people shouldn't have them. I have to agree with a lot of the sentiment shared so far that it really does depend on the job. Like with all things - context is everything. In my place of work, tattoos are fine as long as they can be covered up. One of my managers has full arm tattoos on her arms, but if required to look presentable, she just wears a business jacket.
I think if you're in a non-customer/client facing environment, or even in a more progressive working environment that customer/clients don't mind that sort of thing - then you should be free to do what you want. However, if you're in a more traditional working environment or in an environment where you cater to certain customers, then tattoos could be quite off-putting. For example, you wouldn't think twice about the cashier at your local store having tattoos, but if you were being driven in a limo - the driver having visible tattoos would not be expected.
As I said before, its all down to context.
I'd be delighted to offer any advice I have on understanding women. When I have some, I'll let you know.
CAPT. JEAN LUC PICARD
For example, you wouldn't think twice about the cashier at your local store having tattoos, but if you were being driven in a limo - the driver having visible tattoos would not be expected.
I wouldn't think twice about a limo driver having tattoos, well maybe I would, I'd think "that's kind of neat" and carry on. Unless their tattoos were rubbish, wouldn't stop me using the service.
Someone with tattoos all over their body I really cant take series in a business aspect. I'm not saying they are not trustworthy or what not. Just doesn't seem professional to me. So, im in the boat dont have them showing.
Posted Thu 29 Sep, 2016 6:39 PM –
Last edited by Hermanator; Thu 29 Sep, 2016 6:43 PM.
I've worked for a political party, a member of parliament, an affiliated parliamentary group, a think tank and a national newspaper. I've never seen anyone in the workplace with a visible tattoo.
I don't see why anyone should face prejudice for having a visible tattoo, assuming it's not insensitive i.e. a swastika. Employers must be missing out on some really clever and extraordinary employees by having such a policy.
I think as tattoos become more common, and they're already pretty common, this will all be relaxed. I cannot see how a visible tattoo here or there could prevent an employee from respectfully representing their company.
Then again I know people who have been discriminated against by turning up to interviews in the city (Banking & Law) for wearing brown shoes with a Navy suit. Strangely I think this more of faux pas than tattoos, but perhaps that's another thread.
p.s. I've seemed to attached an image of a swastika. I had a bit about context of such tattoos and how it's not necessarily all how it seems. That in some cases it could be innocent. I wanted to delete it but I failed. That's also probably better for another debate.
I'm in the "keep it coverable" group. As a number of members have already posted, acceptability depends on the situation. If someone refuses to accept that being hired means they represent their employer and not themselves while they're on the job, then they don't have the level of maturity and consideration of others necessary to do the job. Making a statement is all well and good as long as the person desiring to make the statement does not insist on forcing people to listen by screaming in their ear.
Being considerate of others goes a long way towards changing cultures and earning the same consideration.