Tattoos and Piercings

[Blaze]

But as an employer, you should have that right, depending on the circumstances to state that. If you wish to disqualify a candidate solely on the fact that they have a tattoo or piercing you find objectionable, that's fine by me. It's your business. Neither I, nor the government should be able to dictate how your run your business, as long as it is not breaking laws.

But where does discrimination starts and ends. Tattoos is just the new "target". A few decades ago people were aloud to say the same thing about women. I don't think that as an employer you should have the right to discriminate against something that does not affect the quality of the work or the performance.

Again, some exceptions apply, I think offensive tattoos are one of them, profanity or discriminatory tattoos are one thing, those are not appropriate for people working with the public. But telling a doctor with a flower on his hand that he can't be a surgeon just sounds stupid to me. In some ways I agree with you, depends on the circumstance. For local business, I could see a point being made about that, but as far as where I stand, a lot of the "rules" concerning tattoos are just silly.

 

[brinkster130]

I guess for me it comes down to whether the tattoos/piercings affect the work. For example, usually a work dress code has a certain purpose. Like a mechanic wears overalls, a scientist wears a lab coat, a nurse wears scrubs. All that is for a certain purpose. But a tattoo won't affect any of those purposes. Piercings maybe, I can see why some jobs would ask for the removal of piercings (like doctors might get them ripped off by an angry patient, that stuff makes sense). But I don't see how a tattoo would prevent a doctor from doing it's job and saving lives.

If a job could convince me that there is a valid reason for hiding tattoos, than I will respect that, but the truth is that it really does not matter for most jobs.

I get that, and I totally agree that ones tattoos does not affect their ability to work at a certain level. I just think it's an employers or company's right to hire people who project the image they want. After all, you as the employee are representing them. Even though tattoos are becoming more accepted there are still people who would (and do) judge people based on appearance.

I still think it's fairly equivalent to dress codes, suits and ties don't make people more knowledgeable or professional but many are required to wear them. I guess, I just sorta consider it part of the job, if you don't like that aspect then look at other companies that don't have policies about it.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I get that, and I totally agree that ones tattoos does not affect their ability to work at a certain level. I just think it's an employers or company's right to hire people who project the image they want. After all, you as the employee are representing them. Even though tattoos are becoming more accepted there are still people who would (and do) judge people based on appearance.

I still think it's fairly equivalent to dress codes, suits and ties don't make people more knowledgeable or professional but many are required to wear them. I guess, I just sorta consider it part of the job, if you don't like that aspect then look at other companies that don't have policies about it.

Exactly. I worked four years where I had to wear long sleeve shirt and tie everyday. And I could show no facial hair. Even in 100 degree summers I had to wear long sleeves and a tie. It was a pain in the ass but I wanted the loot.

If you are going to work for them you follow the policies they set forth. Simple as that.

 

[Lyri]

There was that post floating around on Tumblr a while ago, photos of people in their work clothes verses in their normal clothes. In their work clothes, not one of their tattoos was visible, yet all of them said that they had been discriminated against because of them. If no one knows a tattoo is there when they're hired, how does it suddenly affect their ability to do their job if their employer accidentally finds out about it?

My sister has 5 tattoos, depending on what she's wearing to work that day, up to 4 of them are visible (one on her shoulder, one on her wrist, one on each ankle). She's a classroom assistant in a primary school. Not one person has ever said anything about her tattoos, and she's been doing the same job for 4 years. It doesn't affect her ability to do her job at all.

 

[brinkster130]

There was that post floating around on Tumblr a while ago, photos of people in their work clothes verses in their normal clothes. In their work clothes, not one of their tattoos was visible, yet all of them said that they had been discriminated against because of them. If no one knows a tattoo is there when they're hired, how does it suddenly affect their ability to do their job if their employer accidentally finds out about it?

My sister has 5 tattoos, depending on what she's wearing to work that day, up to 4 of them are visible (one on her shoulder, one on her wrist, one on each ankle). She's a classroom assistant in a primary school. Not one person has ever said anything about her tattoos, and she's been doing the same job for 4 years. It doesn't affect her ability to do her job at all.

I don't think anyone is saying that having tattoos will affect somones ability to do their jobs; that's silly and simply untrue. People may judge others based on them, but having a tattoo doesn't add to or take away from someone's skills set and ability to do their job.

Some people just think companies and employers should have the right to have policies regarding whether or not tattoos are visible in the work place. Just like I have the right to go and look for work in a more casual environment.

Why is it ok for some employers to make men shave daily but not ok for them to ask them to cover their tattoos?

 

[Lyri]

I don't think it's right for employers to make men shave daily. As long as they look clean and tidy and respectable, I think facial hair, hair and tattoos should be left to the individual. Piercings are another matter as they can impact the health and safety of the place of employment, such as kitchens, hospitals, etc.

 

[Blaze]

It's one thing to ask to cover up a tattoo, if suit and tie is the way the company works, than so be it. A suit will cover 95% of someone's tattoo anyway, but I still think it's silly to refuse someone work because of tattoos (I've been asked at job interviews if I had tattoos before, while none of them were even showing at the interview). It's like my haircut, I got a side shave, some companies would refuse to hire me base on it, which is stupid because guys can have that but girls can't.

It's one thing to make the whole building wear a suit, but when every one is allowed to wear a t-shirt and that one guy with a sleeve has to wear a long sleeve shirt, I just find it a bit discriminatory. And that goes for things other than tattoos too. As long as someone can do the job and look professional, I don't think appearances should dictates who gets hired (I've read a few interesting studies on how fat people are less likely to get hired exactly because of their look. Or how women gets hired less even if they have a better resume than a male counterpart. I just don't find it fair nor logical).

 

[Skanky Vamp]

As long as they look clean and tidy and respectable, I think facial hair, hair and tattoos should be left to the individual. Piercings are another matter as they can impact the health and safety of the place of employment, such as kitchens, hospitals, etc.

But it's perception. I was selling $70,000 printing presses.. they didn't want people that looked 'scruffy' so you could not have facial hair.
 
Oh.. and don't even get me started about female reporters... they have to sign a weight contract. My friend's wife was taken off air because she weighed 10 pounds more than her contract allowed. It happens everywhere. The bigger and more corporate the place, generally, the more they concern themselves about it.

 

[gite63]

I don't have neither tattoos nor piercings.

I like tattoos and I'm kind of radical about it (about tattoos in other people's bodies, that is!) – I like them big, and not small butterflies or little flowers or the name of the kids in small letters in the wrist. If you do a tattoo, do it right! But I don't like the whole body covered.

Another question: what's your thoughts on parents getting their baby's ears pierced? It's quite common in the UK. You see it all the time.

Here is traditional to have baby girls's ears pierced soon after they are born. Not an issue, at all.

 

[The Bronze]

I don't wear jewellery so I've never felt the need to get piercings. If I like a pattern or slogan I can get it on a shirt, so I don't get the appeal of having it carved into my skin. Each to their own though. Other people enjoy them and it doesn't do me any harm.

I have a real issue with stabbing holes into or cutting pieces off of babies though. No amount of "it looks cute" or "God says so" makes that OK to me. Parents are supposed to protect children and their bodies until they are old enough to make their own decisions, not inflict them with their issues.

 

[bespangeled]

Exactly. I worked four years where I had to wear long sleeve shirt and tie everyday. And I could show no facial hair. Even in 100 degree summers I had to wear long sleeves and a tie. It was a pain in the ass but I wanted the loot.

If you are going to work for them you follow the policies they set forth. Simple as that.

I live in Tucson - home of short sleeves and bolo ties. Normal dress style is called Tucson casual, which means you can wear shorts to an outdoor wedding. You can always spot an out of towner by their red faces and waterfall of sweat.

I had my ears double pierced but they've closed - no other piercings and no tattoos. That said, I love both tatts and piercings. One of my daughters has several of both, the other has fewer. They both have a tatt that says 'my cousin, my sister, my friend' (obviously with a cousin). Since that tatt is in Hebrew, the younger one insists it really says 'I do bad things to sheep'.

I will say my older daughter was turned down for a job as a waitress at a chain restaurant for having a small tattoo at the base of her neck, easily covered by a shirt or her hair. No big deal really - I mean who would want to work for a**holes like that.

As for baby piercings - it's a very big deal in the Chicana community. I have no real problem with it - there are so many far worse things that happen to babies in this country.

 

[Fuffy Baith]

I don't like tattoos. I don't get it. I just don't see the point of having tattoos. I like my skin the color it is. Needless to say I don't have tattoos. There is nothing that I want permanently on body. I don't have a problem with other people having tattoos, as long as I don't have to look at them. lol. No, but I don't find them offensive, I just don't find them attractive. I do think that employers have the right to not hire people with tattoos, but it also does depend on the business. You're not going to hire a fat person to walk around and promote Abecromie and Fitch. And whether or not people should judge, reality is they still do. Some people may not want to be buying things from people with tattoo or piercings. It's not fair, but that's life and that's a persons individual right.

As for piercings. Some crazy piercings freak me out, and I don't like body mods. I just find it super creepy. I do have my ears pierced, and I had them pierced as a baby then repierced as a teen so I don't have problems with piercing babies ears, they won't remember it.

 

[Ethan Reigns]

The following tattoo is an interesting case:

Anybody on this forum have one of those?

 

[Faith]

I've never been asked about tattoos during a job interview, and people seem quite shocked when they find out I have them. I have black cat on the inside of my wrist and you can't see that unless I move my hand and it is easily covered. Last year I got a big design that spans halfway up my back and twists around to my ribs, a tribute tattoo for my Mum.

I don't have a habit of going into a law firm half dressed and I never wear white so you can't see it. Occasionally if i'm top rides up when I crouch down you se part of it but thats it. I'm looking to join the police and as part of their application process any tattoos cannot be on your hands/neck/face and must not cause any offence. I've often seen coppers with their shirt sleeves rolled up and they are sporting some pretty sweet sleeves, so i'm not really worried about mine!

I don't agree with small children and babies having their ears pierced. It is not their choice, if they want to get them when they are older then let them make that choice.

 

[Blair]

I strongly disagree with babies having their ears pierced. Had a friend who really wished her parents hadn't pierced her ears when she was a baby. She was obsessed with wanting the holes in her ears to close up but they kinda didn't close up properly (She was also kinda strange with her ear obsession there)

I had my ears pierced when I was 16, and an extra one on my left side at age 22, my belly button done at age 24.

I have no tattoos but don't really care about them. They look good on some people, but hey whatever floats their boat.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

I have multiple tattoos and I'm lucky enough to work in a profession where it's not an issue.

I used to be an employment counselor, and am pretty knoweldgeable about wht employers are looking for these days, at least in America, and the idea that tattoos can hold you back is pretty overblown. Most employers don't care, especially if you can cover them. Most of the heavily tattooed people I know work for themselves, so there's that I guess. My boyfriend is an EMT and is heavily tattooed and it's not an issue.

As for piercing babies ears, well...honestly, I wouldn't do it, but to each their own I guess.

 

[Mr Trick]

I strongly disagree with babies having their ears pierced. Had a friend who really wished her parents hadn't pierced her ears when she was a baby. She was obsessed with wanting the holes in her ears to close up but they kinda didn't close up properly (She was also kinda strange with her ear obsession there)

I had my ears pierced when I was 16, and an extra one on my left side at age 22, my belly button done at age 24.

I have no tattoos but don't really care about them. They look good on some people, but hey whatever floats their boat.

I agree it feels like a fashion statement which is being forced onto the child. Once they are old enough to make the choice if they choose to have them its a different matter.

 

[Athena]

I strongly disagree with babies having their ears pierced.

Same. I didn't have mine done til I was 11 and even then I had to beg!

If people want to make that decision for their baby, so be it, I'm not going to judge. But I would never, ever stick holes in my child purposely with a needle for non-medical reasons until they are old enough to request it verbally and make an excellent case for it, like I did with my Mum. (all my friends had theirs done and I felt left out!)

Of course, when I was 18 I got other stuff pierced, top of my ear, belly button - they've all since closed up.

I also have a tattoo on the base of my spine (ha ha - tramp stamp!) which I had done about 8 years ago. It's great, because I know it's there but unless my top rides up, no-one else does. I didn't get my tattoo for other people, I got it for myself. I would get another, but my current design took me a couple of years to decide on, so when that'll be and what that'll be I'm not sure.

As for work, I'm of the opinion that as long as the tattoo/piercing isn't offensive in nature and doesn't affect the day to day job, I don't see why it should be a problem, although if you've tattooed a swear word on your forehead, then don't be surprised you don't get that customer facing role....

 

[Bluebird]

I feel like the odd one out with no tattoos and no piercings. A lot of girls have their ears pierced here because it's fashion or because they had it done as a baby. I don't wear jewellery so I've never had a need to have my ears done.

I have no problem with them at all, it's just not something I've wanted to do. My boyfriend has quite a few tattoos and they look good on him.

My parents were all about choice, so I'm glad I got that choice and my earlobes are hole-free.

 

[cryptwarmer]

What's your take body art? Do you have any tattoos? Any piercings?

I LOVE tattoos. Been fascinated with them since I was a tiny kid. When I was young only military and scary guys had tattoos and when I would edge over to a guy to look at them my mom would pull me back and reprimand me.

Now I can gaze with abandon!

I have six tattoos and plan to get another soon. I only have piercings in my ears, lobes and tragus.

I don't love piercings the way I do tattoos but I don't mind them. Some I find unattractive but that's just a matter of taste.

Do you find them offensive? Do you think it's right for employers to discriminate against those who have (visible) tattoos or piercings, be it by lack of promotion and treated differently in the workplace or not being offered a job in the first place?

Some jobs have dress codes so I accept that removing visible body jewelry is acceptable. Sometimes it's a safety issue as well.
Tattoos, obviously you can't remove so that's trickier. For jobs that require suits etc, most tattoos aren't visible so not a big issue and unless you have facial tattoos you can nearly always cover them.

That being said, obviously it doesn't bother me if employees do have tattoos. It doesn't put me off at all.

I read an article earlier today about police officers (and recruits) in the UK getting tattoos laser removed as those with body art are more likely to be snubbed for promotion.

Hopefully this will soon be a non issue. It should already be an non issue and should not be supported but that kind of discrimination is darn hard to prove. It should be challenged.

Would something like that about the job you really want put you off if you had ink? Would you really consider getting your tattoos or piercings removed?

Not at this point in my life. On the other hand I'm not qualified for most types of jobs where it would be an issue.

Another question: what's your thoughts on parents getting their baby's ears pierced? It's quite common in the UK. You see it all the time.
I think piercing places vary with what ages babies can have their ears pierced, the most-used chain store called 'Claire's' states on their website the youngest age they accept is four months old. There was also a petition set up this year in the UK, with 33,000 signatures, asking the children's minister to set a minimum age requirement and a ban on piercing the ears of babies and toddlers.

I had my daughter's ears pierced when she was 3 weeks old. Cultural thing. A tiny hole in the ear isn't body mutilation IMO and if she hated it she could have simply stopped wearing earrings when she wanted to. I let my son get his ear pierced when he was 9 by his request.

I wouldn't let them get any other piercings or tattoos until they were 18 because I didn't want them to come and say "why did you let me do that?" Believe me, the subject came up often.

I refused to get my boys circumcised because that is body mutilation, ear piercing not so much.

I worked in a place that had millions of people from all over the world come through each year. At least one third of the people under the age of 40 had visible tattoos. I'd say closer to half. At the pool this summer, half the people under 40 had tattoos, most of them several. Many older people have them as well.

Two of my kids have tattoos.

I think the generation of people who are anti tattoo are on their way out, and they are becoming a non issue. Even where I live in conservative land.