Would you hire someone with an exposed tattoo or body piercing?

Question

A lot of places won't hire people unless their tattoo or body piercing is covered.

Answer 1

Nope, can't respect their own body... what other compromises for the sake of vanity will they entertain...

Plus unless you are in the business of T&P what sort of image are you trying to convey? Like attracts like.

Answer 2

It would depend on the job that I would be hiring them for. If it a place that the public could see them and they are the first contact with the customers than I would not hire them unless they cover up the tattoo or body piercing. If it was as a delivery person or running machinery that the typical customer will not see than as long as it does not interfere with the job it does not matter. Even though both tattoo and piercings are more popular with the young, people still do not like them. I have two tattoo that I purposely got high on my arms because of where I want to go career wise. A lot of the younger people do not think about the consequences before they get tattoos or piercings.

Answer 3

Obviously, the answer is: that depends. What is the nature of business? Who are your customers?

If you're in business, the hard truth is that you're there to make money. And you make money by encouraging people to buy what you have to sell them, build loyalty, and create an atmosphere where they will return in the future...the basic equation. My clients are middle aged, and MIddle America, for the most part, so when I hire people, it's a matter of how many and how obvious the tattoos and piercings are.

Is a small tatoo on a shoulder, wrist, or ankle offensive to MOST people? No. Is a small nose jewel or thin eyebrow ring offensive to MOST people? No. Labrets, tongue piercings, and even "plug" style ear piercings can be displayed in good taste.

However...large tattoos...neck and face tattoos...offensive images and wording...too MANY visible tattoos...that might be a problem. Same things with piercings. Nose rings like those seen on livestock, multiple lip piercings, and dozens of earrings worn at once just wouldn't cut it in my workplace.

Now, I would never PERSONALLY deny anyone's desire to express themselves--but when their appearance creates an atmosphere that makes my customers uncomfortable--that's where I draw the line.

A tattoo or a piercing is not a disability or a medical condition--lest someone put up the argument that there are other kinds of physical characteristics that might "turn off" clients. Tattoos and piercings are voluntary.

I'm pretty liberal about hiring people--I try to look at what's on the inside just as much as the outside--but an appearance that calls attention to itself in the extreme is not going to make my customers return.

Answer 4

If I had my own business, open to the public, I would consider hiring someone with an exposed tattoo or body piercing. I would not hire them if the exposed tattoo was offensive in any way, such as nudity or any hateful imagery, but I wouldn't mind if the tattoo was a neutral image. As for body piercings, I'd have to consider the amount and type of piercings. I would not refuse to hire simply because there is an exposed piercing, but I would not automatically hire anyone with piercings either. I think I'd limit the number of non-ear, cranial piercings to two or three. Ear piercings, regardless of the number or type, are fine with me.

Answer 5

Although having or not having a tatoo is not as important as work habits. Generally Tatoos give off the wrong impression. Depending on what type of business I ran, I would not hire someone with a revealing tattoo. It's just not professional looking. If you have a naked lady on your forearm, then showing people through houses is not an appropriate place for you. Now if you have a small rose on your ankle... that's debatable. It's just depending on the job, and the tattoo I guess. If I had a restaurant I would most likely hire someone with a tattoo as long as they weren't covered head to toe! It would be hard to hire someone with an offensive type of tattoo, no matter what.

Answer 6

Yes I would and I do not see any reason why I shouldn't. even though I know very well that a lot of places will not hire someone with tattoos or piercings. To me it's not the outside that counts. It's who people are inside that matters and if they are willing to commit themselves to the job and have the right qualifications I have no problem what so ever. Judging people because of their outside is unfortunately something that happens far to much and it only shows that people are prejudiced to what they consider not to be normal. What should matter is who people are inside and how they behave not the way they look outside. Tattoos and piercings are one the many expressions of someones inner self and it shows ones personal individuality and that is what makes people so beautiful and interesting. We are all different and we express each other in all different ways and that's what makes us unique.

Answer 7

It really depends on the type of business and what the "art" is.

If it is a law firm, no exposed tats or piercings (except for 1 set of lobe piercings).

If you're working at a place like Spencers, it doesn't matter.

Fast food joint? If it is graphic, no. Otherwise, doesn't matter.

High class restaurant; lobe piercings only.

I work at a family restaurant as a waitress. I have 2 tattoos (one of which is covered at all times and the other, you won't notice unless you're really looking for it as it is under my watch) and 7 piercings (all in my ears but I generally just wear the cartilage). It doesn't matter as much.

Answer 8

In businesses, i can see why they wouldn't, because the employees are the IMAGE of the store, and some companies just straight up don't like the image it gives off. Me personally, at least for the type of businesses I'm familiar with running, I would, but there are limits there as well. Also, people with tatoo's should know the risks, and if you're only getting 1 or 2 tat's, then being well placed and easy to cover up, could just land you that job.

Answer 9

Are we living in the same country?

Tattoos and piercings are so common, it would be difficult to get employees if you were too strict about it. Of course, no one usually hires someone who's tattooed and pierced like a circus freak..but other wise it's OK. Maybe in rural conservative States, it might be a problem, but not in most places.

How many and what kind do you have?

Answer 10

If I were running a nightclub and needed dancers or bouncers I would probably prefer people with tattoos, however in the business world it is best to keep your personal life to yourself and tattoos express at least one personal value. You lose the "me too advantage" with many people when you expose tattoos. If a client shows you his or her tattoo, a previously hidden tattoo can be shown but as a rule I would never hire someone with a tattoo.

Answer 11

I have several tattoos. (12) and have had them for years. I never went on an interview where i wasn't offered the job. I cover my tats for the interview, then after hired show/tell. It is against the law to discriminate against body art under the fair labor act but it does happen prior to hiring. After you have the job, if you do it well, they won't fire you.