How Tattoos and Piercing Will

Affect Your Job Search

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Sarah Landrum

In our parents generation, tattoos were a big no-no

for professionals. Having a visible tattoo was enough to get your resume sent
to the trash. And, if you were hired, you may be forced to either get the
tattoo removed or keep it covered when in the office.
Things are different these days, but the numbers show that visibly tattooed
and pierced people are still at a disadvantage. Even though its not as bad as
it used to be, its still something to be aware of during your job search.
In one survey by Working World, 60 percent of employers said theyre less
likely to hire someone with tattoos or piercings. The main reason for this is
that employers worried about their companys image and didnt want it
tarnished. This belief, unfair or not, is backed up by a Pew Research Center
survey showing 39 percent believe pierced and tattooed employees reflect
poorly on the company.
Theres little data on this, but its safe to assume that a crazy hairstyle or
hair dyed to an unnatural color could also have a negative impact. Especially

considering that a third of bosses know whether they will hire someone
within the first 90 seconds, and that 55% of the impact when meeting
someone comes from their appearances and demeanor.
Such beliefs are unfortunate and possibly discriminatory, especially
considering a third of all people between 25 and 30 years old have at least
one tattoo according to the survey by Working World. The good news is that
the survey didnt differentiate between industries, so depending on your line
of work you might have no issues. There seems to be a growing trend of
companies even enormous ones like Starbucks not caring about personal
appearance too much. Can you imagine that happening a couple decades
ago?
Even in this tight job market, most companies arent going to view tattoos
too harshly, John Challenger, CEO of a consulting firm, told Forbes.
Companies have a vested interest in hiring the most qualified candidate.
Piercings, however, seem to make more of a negative impact. A study
conducted by Iowa State University asked college students and working
adults to look at resumes accompanied with a picture. Half the photos were
altered to include piercings on the fictional applicants. Both adults and
college students found the pierced applicants to be less employable.
Surprisingly, the students judged the pierced applicants more severely than
the adults did.

What to Do?
If youre seeking a job, the sad truth is that you might have to decide
between personal expression and a better chance of being hired. When it
comes to your personal brand, tattoos and piercings can do a lot more
damage than a typo on your resume.
Covering up tattoos is always a good idea but not always possible. If you
have one that cant be hidden during an interview, it may be best to ask

about the companys policy. That way, youll know straight away if its
hurting your chances of getting hired.
Piercings, of course, will require a different approach. Here are a few tips for
dealing with piercings in your job search:

Opt for low-key, classic jewelry like a nice pair of diamond studs if

possible.
Dont hide your piercing before the interview because the employer

might not appreciate the surprise when you show up with piercings
on the first day.
Dont bring up piercings unless the interviewer does.

The surveyed perception of employers can be depressing, but dont let it get
you down. If a place wont choose a qualified person because of his or her
tattoos or piercings, its the companys loss. Change is happening, even if its
not happening as quickly as it should.
`

Tattoos Still Reduce Chances Of Getting

Hired, Study Finds
09/05/2013 12:58 pm ET | Updated Sep 06, 2013

1K

Catherine TaibiDeputy Media Editor, The Huffington Post

GETTY
That body art of yours better be getting you some good attention on the street,
because its certainly not helping you get a new job anytime soon.
Yes, visible tattoos still carry a negative connotation among employers and
could be hurting your chances of getting hired, according to a new study by
Dr. Andrew Timming of St. Andrews University School of Management in
Scotland.
(About 23 percent of Americans today have a tattoo, and 32 percent of people
ages 30-45 have at least one, according to a separate study by Pew Research
Center.)
After Dr. Timming interviewed hiring managers and recruiters from 14 different
organizations who worked in places including banks, schools and prisons
he found the majority of those surveyed said that visible tattoos remain a
stigma, according to Management Issues, a management information website.
Surveyed employers said visible tattoos can make a person look dirty and
would stop me from employing them, according to Management Issues.
Distaste for the tattoos seemed to stem not so much from the employers
themselves but from their fear of how other customers might react.
Respondents expressed concern that visibly tattooed workers may be
perceived by customers to be abhorrent, repugnant, unsavoury and
untidy. Dr. Timming said. It was surmised that customers might project a
negative service experience based on stereotypes that tattooed people are
thugs and druggies.

But there were some professions that felt more strongly about tattoos than
others. Prison guards, for example, can often benefit from having tattoos by
giving them something to talk about with prisoners.
Were there any signs of hope? Well, Dr. Timming did note that employers who
responded most negatively tended to be older, which suggests tattoos may
become more workplace appropriate in time.

Are tattoos a stain on your job prospects

and career?
First impressions are important when it comes to interviews and tattoos still divide
opinion

Can you be fired from your job for getting a tattoo? Photograph: Graeme
Robertson
Lizzi Hart

Monday 6 October 2014 07.00 BSTLast modified on Thursday 9 October

201412.14 BST

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In 2012 a survey by The British Association of Dermatologists suggested that 1
in 5 British adults had a tattoo. So it is reasonable to conclude that many
graduates currently looking for a job have some form of body art. Many high
ranking employees of desirable companies are of an older generation and have
a traditional view of tattoos. But with body art becoming increasingly socially
acceptable, both in and out of the workplace, are young jobseekers really
risking their careers by getting the latest body decoration?
Can you be rejected or fired because of a tattoo?
Sadly, in 2014 the answer is yes. Just a few months ago Jo Perkins allegedly
had her non-client-facing contract terminated after she displayed her small
foot tattoo of a butterfly. At the age of 38, with plenty of high-level experience
under her wing, the termination came as such a shock that she is considering
legal action.

In the UK, the law on equality in the workplace does not cover those with
tattoos as a protected characteristic, allowing employers to base their
recruitment decisions on just that. The only exception would be religious or
beliefs related markings under the 2010 Equality Act, but proof must be
provided.
In terms of rejection for a role, Rebecca Johnson, a managing consultant at
theGraduate Recruitment Bureau (GRB) explained: "I think in the majority of
cases and certainly in the more corporate world, if there were two candidates
in the running for a job and there was absolutely no difference between the
candidates' skills/abilities resulting in the choice purely being based on
presentation, most employers would pick the candidate without tattoos. I
believe this would be to limit potential offence made to their clients."
It does depend on the company's dress policy, and employees with more than
two years' experience have more rights. But a change in the dress code, in a
similar manner to Jo Perkins' company, can see those with visible tattoos
come under fire.
So is this fair? If a candidate was rejected from a role because of their faith, the
company would face punishment under the Equal Opportunities Act. Yet if
someone was rejected because of their visible tattoos, another lifestyle choice,
there wouldn't be nearly as much uproar.
So why are they such a big deal?
Speaking to Steve Agace, director of sales at GRB, we found that first
impressions are very important when it comes to interviews. But the glimpse
of inked skin can divide opinion. He explained that "highly creative industries
like the media sector are unlikely to bat an eyelid, whereas more conservative
client facing sectors like IT consultancy, management consultancy and
recruitment are more likely to find very visible tattoos challenging."
But it's not just about the industry, it's also about the location and content of
the body art: "It's generally bad practice to swear in interviews," Agace
explains, "so going in with a vulgar or offensive tattoo on display is not exactly
recommended practice". Another employee at GRB explained that they have

met clients boasting small inoffensive tattoos, but for candidates applying to
the corporate world tattoos are still frowned upon.
Are they intimidating?
Katie Smith* , a resourcer for a recruitment consultant, says that in a previous
retail role she was in a minority as a non-tattooed worker. She explained that
this, at first, created a divide because "I felt different to them; less cool maybe?
Or worried that they thought I would be very different to them personalitywise." This shows that first impressions really can warp our views of people,
and sadly having a tattoo can be both intimidating and unprofessional not
exactly what you want a potential employer to think.
Is 'hidden' enough?
Primary school teachers must have any tattoos covered as they are considered
role models. Yet is there a need to protect a child against inoffensive
decoration when other people in their lives and in the media may be covered
in ink? As of 2010 the Metropolitan Police Service employees were banned
from getting any visible tattoos and were required to register all current
tattoos, or face the sack. Supposedly this action was to keep the reputation of
the MPS as an authoritative figure, compared to criminals who used to be one
the few types of people garnering ink. But this is 2014: is it still applicable?
But I have/want a tattoo, what do I do?
Evidently, the traditional views of tattoos are still woven deep within the
corporate world, and unless you choose a creative sector of work, having a
tattoo may set you back. GRB's marketing director and co-founder, Dan
Hawes, advises undergraduates "to really consider how their personal
adornment choices might be perceived by potential employers when they
come to start looking at graduate employment opportunities. I do think
attitudes are changing, but rightly or wrongly, some peoples' personal
opinions are old fashioned."
*Katie Smith is a pseudonym

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will tattoos prevent me from getting hired?

by ALISON GREEN on

NOVEMBER 10, 2009

A reader writes:
I have a couple tattoos, 2 that are visible, one on my wrist and another on my forearm. They arent
large or obscene. I also have my nose pierced with a small stud. I do have a good job, that Ive been
at for 6 years, and I got these decorations while working here. I am currently looking for a new
position and wondered if having visible tattoos will hurt me from getting hired, although they can
be covered up by long sleeves. What do you think?
Depends 100% on the company. Some wont care, some will. Some industries would see right past it
or even welcome it, and some would frown on it.
Unless youre in a very creative field, Id cover the tattoos up during the interview and definitely
remove the nose ring just as part of dressing appropriately formal for an interview.
But, on the other hand, if its very important to you to get a job where things things dont matter,
then you can always keep them visible and assume that itll be a good screening mechanism for
ensuring that you end up in the culture you want. Do you want to work for someone who would have
a problem with your tattoos and piercing? If not, take that into account.

Tattoos in the workplace, are they really taboo in

2015?
Apr 2, 2015
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Every few years there are a flurry of media stories about tattoos in
the workplace and these tend to regurgitate the same messages:
that tattoos and body modification aren't professional, arent
corporate, and that they give out a 'certain message'. But in 2015, is
this kind of rhetoric really useful? Does having a tattoo or piercing
really impact your value as an employee?
More and more people from a range of backgrounds, working in a
range of industries, are getting tattooed. My dad got a tattoo a few
years ago and that was certainly something I would never have
predicted! There are more tattoo parlours, more styles, more
conventions and more legislation to ensure happy tattooed
customers. On some level this would imply that the negative
connotations must have changed. And yet, every time a friend of
mine is deliberating about getting a tattoo theres always hesitancy,
not brought on by choosing the artist or the image, but whether the
tattoo will somehow brand them in a way they'll regret.
A tattooists view
As the Centre is based on Old Street I didn't have to look very far to
find a successful tattooist (one I can personally recommend) to get
their view on this subject. Paul Hill is one of the founders

of Vagabond Tattoo Studio on Hackney Road (just a short stroll away

from us) and hes also noticed a significant change in the market:
"Tattoos have become much more widely accepted in recent times,
both in general society and in the workplace. We see a wide variety
of different people from every walk of life and every age group. That
can be anything from tattoo collectors to doctors and lawyers.
Tattooing has become less of a taboo for older generations too and I
think this is reflected in some employers more relaxed attitudes
towards them.
Being heavily tattooed in very public places such as hands, neck
and face will undoubtedly affect your progression in certain career
paths. I believe being tattooed should be more acceptable but there
are limits to how far people push things if they are not an artist or
working within the tattoo industry".
Do tattoos affect how people perceive you in the workplace?
I worked for a not-for-profit a few years ago and one of the external
trustees came from a legal background. After retiring she instantly
went out and had some beautiful large pieces tattooed on both her
arms. She felt, in the time she was practising, that having tattoos
would have impacted her career. So that definitely echoes Pauls
sentiments that, although attitudes are changing, you may want to
consider the location and size of your piece.
But its not just tattoos: other body modification such as facial
piercings and non-standard hair colours can also attract some mixed
reactions. Sarah Twist fromNHS South Commissioning Support
Unit doesn't have any tattoos but she does have several piercings

and brightly coloured hair (she currently has a full rainbow). I asked
Sarah how she felt about her appearance and whether it had
impacted how people view her in the workplace.
I think that there is a different perception of people with alternative
looks in the workplace. Personally, I think that it makes me appear
younger, which can be a good or a bad thing.
I always feel more friendly towards a company who allows me to
make my appearance how I would like it. Its also important to
remember when considering discrimination that an alternative
appearance is still a choice, and where appropriate, it is reasonable
to ask for changes to be made. If asked (especially for specific
events) I understand the desire to tone down my appearance when
representing the company and am happy to appear more
understated.
From my personal point of view, I have no problem with keeping an
open dialogue with people who have never had any piercings and
wouldn't know the first thing about getting their hair from brown to
blue and am always happy to talk about my hair. For me, its just
become another talking point to start a conversation which supports
social relationships in the workplace.
Comically, Sarah notes that it does make her easy to spot at work!
Its interesting to hear that having the support of her organisation
makes Sarah feel happier at work, and thats something that other
companies should certainly take note of. She acknowledges her
willingness to tone down her appearance for specific events but

enjoys having the freedom of expression to dress how she feels

comfortable.
I spoke with Christopher Beecham, HR Manager at Breast Cancer
Campaign to get a HR perspective on the subject. We just ask staff
to dress appropriately; so fairly relaxed in the office but more
professional when meeting with clients. I like to see individualism in
the workplace but feel that for the majority of workplaces prejudice
can still prevail. That standing out from the crowd could ultimately
hold someone back. The safest choice would be to dress
appropriately for the situation.
First impressions count
Liz Sewell is the founder of Belina Consulting, an organisation that
specialises in getting parents back into work after having a family. A
lot of the training Liz delivers is around CV writing and interview
skills so her insight on employers first impressions was something I
was keen to hear.
My take would be that employers are more accepting of tattoos
now than they were ten years ago - as they become more prevalent
in society.
But there are still areas of the body the visible part of the neck,
hands or face where employers can still find them an issue, and if I
were advising people I would say that it would make getting a job in
public facing areas more difficult.
And my view on the subject?
In general my sentiments echo the people I've spoken to whilst
putting this blog together. There has been a huge shift towards

individuality and self-expression in the workplace. Pastel hair

colours, tattoo sleeves and facial piercings are no longer confined to
students or the creative industries.
Appraisals and KPIs focus on tangible outcomes and an individuals
success at work. There simply isnt the space to judge people on
aesthetics when these goals are usually part of a much bigger
strategic plan. The space for bias is shrinking and thats clear by the
increasing number of unconscious-bias tools that are being
developed to support fairer recruitment and selection.
But err on the side of caution - irrespective of job role we are all
working in an increasingly competitive market. Several organisations
are usually competing for the same projects and hundreds of people
are competing for the same jobs. Although Ive got a tattoo sleeve
its not something I usually have on show the first time I'm meeting
with a new client or someone I'm about to start coaching. Usually
they'll notice and it becomes a talking point, but for that initial
meeting I like to be assessed on my knowledge of Learning and
Development rather than my taste in tattoos.
And I think thats the takeaway message: better to have a blazer,
long sleeve shirt and opaque tights in your armoury so that if you
want to dress down you can. I adore my tattoos but sometimes I
wish I'd thought about the number of sunny days I'd be in blazers!
All the same, I would have done it anyway

Sally Pearman is the Centre's Strategic Director and has been

working in L&D for seven years. Sally works with organisations to
develop training programmes as well as offering L&D and OD
support.
\

Hiring Discrimination Against Tattoos And

Piercings
Amanda Haddaway
March 11, 2015
Job Search

At a recent job fair, a woman approached my booth and asked me a question about
hiring discrimination. She was a hiring manager from another company also exhibiting
at the job fair, but she wanted to know about her sons prospects for getting a job.

Related: 4 Signs You May Be Facing Employment Discrimination

I talked to her about the type of work her son is interested in and asked some other
questions. After chatting for a while, she told me that she knows her son has good
qualifications, but he keeps getting turned down after the interviews. She then shared
that her son has a large tattoo on his face. She asked me if I thought his tattoo might be
hurting his chances of employment. I was honest with her and told her yes.

The reality is that hiring managers discriminate, and they are totally within their rights to
not hire someone with a facial tattoo (or piercing) that they believe would be offensive or
inappropriate in their workplace or with their customers.

A lot of jobs require employees to be customer-facing and on client sites. Although

tattoos and body piercings are becoming more mainstream, there are still many
traditional workplaces that favor a more conservative look.

In fact, its very common for employers to have a dress code policy that may ban visible
tattoos and piercings. Many employers also have policies that require employees to
totally remove body piercings while in the office or cover tattoos with clothing and/or
makeup.

There are a number of protected classes when it comes to employment law. Employers
are prohibited from discriminating against candidates based on age, gender, disability,
national origin, pregnancy and a number of other categories.

However, there are no current laws that prohibit discrimination against people with
visible tattoos, body piercings, unnatural hair colors, unique hairstyles, and so on. There
have been some grassroots efforts to make body art and body modification protected
classes, but those efforts have not been successful.

While it may not be fair to discriminate against a tattooed or pierced person, it does
happen.

In recent years, the number of people with tattoos and body piercings has increased
significantly and we may see employers relax their standards in the future, but were not
there yet. If you have tattoos and piercings and you feel they are an important part of
your personality, make sure you find a workplace thats accepting of them.

Aunque cada vez resulta ms frecuente cruzarse con jvenes que llevan tatuajes que cubren gran
parte de su piel o que portan uno o ms piercings en su rostro, esta forma de expresin o
simple moda todava sigue despertando miradas negativas en determinadores sectores de la
sociedad, especialmente en el mundo de los reclutadores de personal.
Lee tambin
3 preguntas discriminatorias que hacen en las entrevistas laborales
El color de piel sigue siendo motivo de discriminacin en Mxico
Jvenes mexicanos dejaron de hablar lenguas indgenas por discriminacin
Una encuesta del sitio Career Builder, recopilada por BBC Mundo, hall que el 37% de los
empleadores cuestionados considera que tener un piercing si es una limitacin para obtener un
ascenso, mientras que el 31% asegur que se replantara otorgar una mejor oportunidad a un
profesional con tatuajes visibles.

Condiciones que representan una gran dificultad si se tiene en cuenta que cada vez son ms los
jvenes con tatuajes o piercings; ejemplo de ello es que del total de la poblacin de 18 a 29 aos en
Estados Unidos, el 38% asegur tener al menos un tatuaje, mientras que un 23% opt por portar
un piercing en su rostro.

En relacin a esta temtica, Barrie Gross, un consultor de recursos humanos, asegur que
aquellasempresas que quieran hacerse con los mejores talentos debern dejar atrs esta clase de
estereotipo. Agreg tambin que los reclutadores deberan cuestionarse si realmente un buen
desempeo est determinado por un piercing o un tatuaje.

Aunque todava resta mucho camino por transitar, algunas empresas comienzan a mostrarse ms
flexibles ante este tipo de modas. Si bien prefieren o aconsejan cubrir los tatuajes demasiado notorios
o retirar los piercings del rostro, no llegan a despedir a un buen profesional slo por esta razn.

Profesionales con este tipo de arte aconsejan cubrir los tatuajes, al menos
hasta demostrar su valor profesional al reclutador

Tattoos in the Workplace: Whats an

Employer to Do?
By Barrie Gross | In: Women In Business

Tattoos used to be considered part of a counterculture. Its probably a fair statement to

say that for years, many people associated tattoos with gangs, bikers, and other groups
that were thought to operate outside of the social center. Today, tattoos have gained
wider social acceptance and more and more people, men and women alike, have them.
People with tattoos work in a variety of industries and hold entry-level jobs as well as
top executive positions. So, whats an employer to do? Is body art a workplace issue?
Does having a visible tattoo say anything about an individual that is relevant to his or
her job?
In todays global marketplace, employers are taking more seriously the need to provide
a work environment that welcomes employees from many different backgrounds. The
competition to attract and retain skilled workers has resulted in corporate cultures that
strive to demonstrate the value placed on individual and group contributions. And there
is increasing attention paid to offering a company culture and benefit package that
supports a variety of lifestyles. Should someone with a visible tattoo be treated any
differently?
Depending on what and where the tattoo is, there may or may not be an issue for
employers. The laws still tend to support employer dress code/appearance policies in
general and employers retain some flexibility in creating rules that require employees to
present themselves in a way that is consistent with the employers image. But that

doesnt mean that banning tattoos altogether is appropriate. In some cases, it can still
violate the law.
Many employers have policies that do not allow visible tattoos. Depending on the
employers industry and the type of job, this may make sense. For example, the odds
are that a four-star hotel may not want the concierge to have large tattoos of skulls and
crossbones on the back of each hand. But the same hotel may have less concern if a
dishwasher in the kitchen has those same tattoos because direct contact with the
hotels customers is minimal. From a business perspective, the issue for the hotel is to
write a policy that draws appropriate lines between jobs in which visible tattoos may or
may not be appropriate.
This example is probably a simple one. It can get more complicated, however, if an
employer is not thoughtful. For example, what if a bank employs a valued administrative
assistant who never has contact with customers? His desk is located in the corporate
headquarters and his interactions are strictly internal. Is it okay if this person arrives at
work one day with a star tattooed under his eye? The answer, in part, is dependent on
the corporate culture and the banks general attitude toward tattoos. It also, however, is
dependent on the difficulty in recruiting and retaining good administrative assistants.
The odds are that while the bank may not appreciate a facial tattoo, its probably not
worth the chance of losing a good employee or not being able to retain a new one by
having a policy that would prohibit the tattoo altogether. On the other hand, the bank
may be more concerned about a teller with the same tattoo who regularly interacts with
bank customers. In that situation, a policy prohibiting the tattoo may be understandable.
In drafting the policies, its important to stay focused on the business issues at hand.
Policies that prohibit tattoos should not reflect value judgments about tattoos or the
people who get them. In fact, many employers would likely be surprised to find out how
many current employees have tattoos and simply cover them up at work. So negative
assumptions about what tattoos say about the people who have them are very often
misplaced.

Issues raised by tattoos can get more complicated when it comes to gender and
religion. And employers should be aware of these issues before writing and enforcing
policies that prohibit visible tattoos at work. For example, historically, it is likely that
more men wore visible tattoos than women. As a result, an interviewer who notices a
tattoo on a mans arm may have no reaction. But more and more women are getting
tattoos, some of which are visible, and the same interviewer may have an adverse
reaction if a tattoo is visible on a female applicants ankle. In this situation, an employer
can be exposed to liability for sex discrimination if the presence of the tattoo was an
issue in making the hiring decision.
Religious tattoos can pose even more challenging questions. What if an employee who
works directly with customers has a tattoo around his wrist and the company has a
policy that prohibits visible tattoos in customer service positions? Is it okay to require the
employee to wear sleeves that are long enough to cover the tattoo? The answer is: it
depends.
If the tattoo is part of a sincerely held religious belief or practice, and that practice or
belief prohibits the employee from covering the tattoo up, the employer may need to
allow an exception to the no visible tattoo policy. Thats because employers are
obligated to reasonably accommodate sincerely held religious beliefs and practices
unless doing so poses an undue hardship. In that situation, it is a good practice to ask
the employee about the tattoo and find out whether there is a religious basis for it that
prohibits them from covering it.
Managers should coordinate with human resources before having that sort of
conversation because if it is not handled properly, the manager could say something
unintentionally that exposes the company to liability for religious discrimination. But
done properly, the manager may find out that the employee is able to cover the tattoo. If
not, this employee may be permitted an exception under the policy as a reasonable
accommodation. And doing so as an accommodation will not result in having to allow all
employees an exception under the no visible tattoo policy.

The key for employers is to have a written policy that employees are required to read
and sign, and then to enforce that policy consistently. That way, employees are not able
to claim that the policy was applied differently to them. And the policies should be based
on sound judgment that is in the best interest of the business. That means that
employee and customer interests also need to be considered before the policy is
drafted.
Work with your human resources department to develop written dress code/appearance
policies that are reasonable and can be enforced consistently. Check with human
resources and/or legal counsel before talking with an employee about covering a tattoo
unless it is clear that the tattoo has no religious significance and having the employee
cover the tattoo is consistent with your policy. And remember, making assumptions
about the qualifications of people who have tattoos is not only unfounded, it may result
in discrimination claims against your company. A woman with a tattoo of a skull on her
arm is no less entitled to be judged based on legitimate business factors than a former
U.S. naval seaman whose arm is adorned with a tattoo of a ships anchor.

Tattoo discrimination shouldn't exist in the

workplace

By Jenna Prewett

In present day America, employers are not allowed to discriminate against their potential or hired
employees based on their race, sex, handicaps, religion, and other factors. Laws have been created to
protect the rights of Americans in the workplace. However, there is still a form of discrimination that
exists today. This discrimination is centered on employees or applicants with body modifications such
as tattoos. Though the stigma is not as great as it was in the past, it is still present in most white-collar
jobs and in the service industry. The presence of tattoos or other body modifications should not be a
deciding factor when a business deals with people in any step in the employment process, and the
government should pass laws that protect the rights of this growing group of Americans.
Instances of discrimination are rampant in the history of America. The federal government has created
many laws with which to combat this problem. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Equal Pay Act, among

others, have been passed in the last few decades. Government agencies such as the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) have also come into existence. The Civil Rights Act of
1964 made it illegal for an employer to discriminate against sex or race when hiring, promoting, or
firing employees. In the final legislation of the bill, discrimination against religion or national origin was
also outlawed. This law also included the creation of the EEOC to enforce its provisions. This particular
government agency places a large role in protecting the rights of Americans.
The practice of tattooing has been around for millennia and has held several different purposes. Those
purposes could be to identify status or represent community. The Ancient Greeks used tattooing to
mark those in their community that were criminals or slaves. The Romans later adopted this practice.
These two cultures used the practice of tattooing criminals as a means of control. The earliest record of
a human being tattooed comes from an Iceman who dates back to 3300 B.C. Evidence of tattoos has
also been found on Egyptian and Nubian mummies from 2000 B.C. Though the practice of such body
modification has been around for millennia, the actual word tattoo has only been around since its
introduction in the 1769 publication of James Cooks memoirs of his travels in the South Sea Islands.
The English word tattoo comes from the Polynesian word tatau. While the practice of tattooing has
been in existence for millennia, prejudice against tattooed persons still remains in modern culture.
Despite, or perhaps due to, the history surrounding tattoos, body modification is discouraged in the
modern workforce. The number of companies that state any official rules in their dress code is actually
very small, at only 16 percent. These companies are usually found in the service industry, and each
company has different rules. Starbucks prohibits any visible tattoos or facial piercings. In comparison,
Wal-Mart does not allow facial piercings, but does allow inoffensive visible tattoos. In a complete
opposite view, Ford Motor Company allows visible tattoos and piercings, as long as it is not an issue of
employee safety. Most sources state that employee dress codes should be written at the employers
discretion.
Its a matter of catering to your clientele, said one tattooed librarian.
Most companies still view body modifications as a hindrance to their business, even with the growing
amount of people in the workforce with tattoos. When hiring, companies are more likely to hire
someone who has no ink or piercings, though they may be just as qualified as someone who does have
a piercing or tattoo. Also, a tattooed man used to be more socially acceptable than a tattooed woman.
This means that while a tattooed man may not affect an employer, the woman may not get the job.
In the past, people with tattoos were thought to be criminals or sailors. Recently, this has changed and
many people are adopting the practice of getting a tattoo. However, this form of self-expression may
cost a person their job. In todays workplace, an employer cannot discriminate against a person in any

part of the employment process based on sex, age, race, religion, national origin, or disability. If an
employer were to do so, it would violate the Civil Rights Act and be considered illegal. However, if an
employee has tattoos, their employer may be discriminative towards them. This is questionable, as a
tattoo, like race or sex, is part of a persons appearance. All aspects of a persons appearance,
including tattoos, should not be a deciding factor when being considered for a job. In order to put a
stop to this discrimination, the government should pass a law or expand the Civil Rights Act so that
tattooed individuals are protected from workplace discrimination.

Transcript of English 101 Research Powerpoint

Acceptance or Rejection? So Who Cares? Koryna Moore
English101 Tattoo Acceptance in the Workplace Most companies do not allow
their employees to have visible tattoos. Their policies reject visible tattoos
because they believe:
Tattoos are unprofessional
Customers view them as a negative attribute and are reluctant to work face
to face with the employee
They are distracting
They reflect negative self worth
Other employees are uncomfortable being around them There are currently
twelve million Americans that are unemployed.
About one in every four people has at least one tattoo.
That leaves about three million unemployed people at a greater
disadvantage of becoming employed because of their tattoos. (What Tattoos
Really Do) Allow People to: Be individual
Express beliefs and religion
Carry Memories, loved ones, and dreams
Be artistic and creative
Any other personal reasons That's three million people who care. But Society
is Growing... With twenty-five percent of the U.S. population sporting tattoos,
it will soon become impossible to discriminate against this trend. Companies
will have no choice but to hire inked employees.
Companies that are already tattoo friendly: Ikea Target Apple Hot Topic
Border's Books Lowe's Khol's Best Buy Applebee's Staples As well as many
more Did you know?... In a study conducted in 2006 for career-oriented
women, the most common jobs that tattooed women held were... Counselors

Nurses and Physicians Lawyers and Business Managers But There Are Some
Exceptions... Although there are many successful tattooed people, about
20% of Americans who are inked are unsatisfied with their tattoos or regret
getting them done. What Is The Solution For the 20%
of Unsatisfied People? Laser Tattoo Removal In The Past Two Years... Laser
Tattoo Removal has increased in the U.S. by 32% Its a great idea, if you have
a lot of time, money and are aware of the side effects... The Side Effects
Include, But Are Not Limited To: Hypo Pigmentation- skin pigmentation
becomes significantly lighter
Hyper Pigmentation- skin pigmentation becomes significantly darker
Infection
Complete loss of pigmentation
Large, irreversible scarring
Nerve Damage
Pain, redness, swelling or bruising As If The Side Effects Weren't Bad Enough
To Remove the star tattoo to the right, it costs $882 and is estimated to take
twelve treatment sessions. To remove the tattoo to the left, it costs $588 and
is estimated to take eight treatment sessions. Laser Treatment will burn a
hole in your pocket
(no pun intended). So Why Discriminate? 40% of laser tattoo removals are
job related, and with so many people unemployed, those without jobs can
not afford laser treatment. There are no studies that suggest a person's
intelligence or work ethic are measured by their self image. There is over one
hundred million people living in the United States with tattoos, many of
which are employed, but many are unemployed as well. Plenty of studies
have been conducted that reflect personal image, with the emphasis on
tattoos and piercings, and a person's success. It is true that it is more likely
for a person to be less successful if they have visible tattoos.
This does not mean a person's education is not justified or that they are less
intelligent or hardworking than their non-tattooed counterparts.
But, as society grows, more people are sporting tattoos. Eventually,
employers will have no choice but to hire tattooed employees. It goes
without saying that Tattoo Removal is an option but not one most people
should take. A Little Known Fact: And...

Discrimination Against Tattoos

in the Workplace
By Beth Greenwood, Demand Media

Your employer can require you to wear clothing that covers your tattoos.

That cute little tattoo of a rose just above the curve of your backside is
discreet enough that only you and your honey know its there, but if you
have tattoos in places that are clearly visible, you may be heading for a clash
with your employer. Multiple tattoos, body piercings and a wide variety of
jewelry inserted into various portions of the anatomy are becoming much
more common in todays workforce, and employers are taking notice.
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Visible Body Art

Body art, another term for tattoos, has historically been associated with
gangs and other undesirable elements of society. Many employers wince at
the sight of visible body art or multiple piercings, especially when the
employee is on the front lines providing direct customer service. Some
people find extensive tattoos, tattoos that include obscenities or images such
as daggers, drops of blood or a skull and crossbones to be offensive. Most

organizations are sensitive to anything that might make customers

uncomfortable, even if the intent behind the ink is innocent.

Professional Appearance
Employers are entitled to determine what constitutes a professional business
appearance and may implement dress code policies to enforce their
expectations. Its also okay for an employer to enforce different standards for
men and women, according to Business and Legal Resources. Hair length, for
example, is one area where an employer may have different requirements
for the two sexes. Employers may also allow female employees to wear
earrings while restricting earrings for men.

Discrimination
Tattoos are a different situation when it comes to employee policies. An
employer can develop policies that require employees to wear clothing that
covers visible tattoos or simply refuse to hire people who have visible tats.
These policies are legal as long as they are enforced evenhandedly across all
ages and apply to both sexes. However, if an employer allows men to display
their tattoos at work while women have to cover up, it may face claims of
sex discrimination, which is illegal.

Religion
One exception to the rules about tattoos and other forms of body art such as
piercings is religion. Employers must make reasonable accommodations for
employees who practice a religion that requires certain types of dress or
behavior. Among Hindus, for example, henna tattoos and body piercings such
as nose rings or facial studs are the norm rather than the exception. Another
exception is that an employer cant fire you just because you have tattoos.
But in all other respects, your employer calls the shots when it comes to your
body art.
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