Tattoos in the workplace revisited
WOULD YOU HIRE HER?
A post I did on tatoos has had surprising staying power (meaning I still see hits on it though it was posted half a year ago).
That's why when I recently saw a story on tattoos in the workplace, I thought I'd share it with all the tattoo lovers or haters -- and tattoo-perplexed management -- who were so interested in the earlier post:
With more and more young people sporting tattoos and other forms of body art, companies are forced to be more accepting when considering potential job candidates . . ."Don't hide that tattoo; Some but not all companies more tolerant of job candidates with tattoos, body piercings: survey" (CNN/Money).
A survey by Challenger, Gray & Christmas found that body art has become mainstream, particularly among young people, and employers are learning to accept it.
According to the report, a study by the Mayo Clinic found that 23 percent of university students had one to three tattoos, and 51 percent had one or more piercings, other than earlobe piercings for women. A Harris Interactive poll found that 36 percent of 25- to 29-year-olds have tattoos.
"Some employers are already having trouble finding skilled workers -- they are not going to let some body art get in the way of hiring the best qualified candidate," Challenger said . . . .
See also Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Tattoo taboo: Is body art OK at the office?" by Melanie Mayhew:
"There's still a big stigma attached in a professional, conservative environment," according to a tattoo artist whose customers include "doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers and ministers."
Many Americans who don't have tattoos think people with tattoos are less attractive (42 percent), less sexy (36 percent) and less intelligent (31 percent), according to [a] Harris poll.
"A lot of older people grew up when people who were tattooed were unsavory characters." Another young tattoo artist says this perception is changing.
So would you hire the young lady above?
It's quite easy to imagine her "cleaning up nice" for an interview, in a long sleeved outfit -- so you wouldn't have a clue about the body art.
What about that first day she wears short sleeves or sleeveless?
Would your company policy permit asking/requiring her to cover up the tattoos?
Does it depend on the job?
Is your answer different if she's a superstar with much sought after skills and a great track record, and you just spent thousands on recruiting her?
Just wondering . . . If it hasn't happened yet, it will. . .
For up-to-date news on tattoos, tattoo links and merchandise, and more, see: tattooflash.info.
posted by George @ 5/20/2005 09:47:00 AM 
1 comments
1 Comments:
I'm a 43 year old attorney working for a federal government contracting firm. I just got my first tattoo in February and have gotten several additions since. They're all on my leg and based on traditional tribal designs. The only person who has a problem with it is my office mate, who's also a personal friend. He just hates tattoos. Everyone else has been either indifferent or interested in my tattoos. I've even inspired a couple of people to get a tattoo themselves. So far, my tattoos at work have simply not been an issue. Perhaps for the most part because they remain covered up by my pants. Occassionally, the bottom of my tat, near my ankle, shows. But it seems to peak people's curiosity and fascination rather than any kind of loathing or disapproval. Personally, people who disapprove of tattoos are severely out of step with today's extremely popular trend of getting tattoos. There's just too much unfounded prejudice associated with tattooing and against tattoo'd people. Don't judge a person by their tattoo. You'll likely be entirely wrong about them.
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