Can you help me settle an argument please?

Question

I was arguing with my friend about having a tattoo on your wrist and how it would affect getting a job? Can someone choose not to hire you simply because you have a visable tattoo? Surely thats not legal? discrimination and all that....?

Thanks so much for all the responses guys. just adding some more here - i already have a tatto on my wrist and i have a great proffesional job. (i do keep it covered with my watch tho.) It was my friend that wanted a tat on her wrist but she was put off because someone told her there was no way she'd get hired (she's going for a job as a manager in a big proffesional company) i was just wondering but thanks agaon for all your answers :D

Answer 1

I have four tattoos myself so I make it a habit of asking about the dress code. Most employers I've dealt with were okay with tattoos so long as they weren't blatantly noticeable. In other words, they were covered up until I had to bend over etc.

But it really depends on where you want to work .

If it's a business type setting, your appearance can have an adverse effect on the clientele, so you may have to cover the tattoo up. If you're comfortable with wearing long sleeves in the summer than go for it.

Answer 2

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there's a difference between what is legal and what is actually done.

What I mean by that is that it really doesn't make a whit of difference whether or not an employer illegally discriminated against someone who IS in a protected class until a complaint is made, and followed by a lawsuit. I can assure you that desite the laws against discriminating based on gender and minority status, it does still happen.

Now, if that's the case, what do you think the chances are that someone is going to not hire or promote someone because of a tattoo or body piercing, regardless of what the laws might say?

I think pretty good.

And no, voluntary body art is not a protected class for discrimination purposes. An employer can tell an applicant to their face "we didn't hire you because you have tattoos." and there's nothing anyone can do about it.

Answer 3

You can be refused a job based on your appearance. Try walking into a business office for an interview in sweat pants and a tank top and see how far you get. Visible tattoos can have the same effect if the individual hiring has a personal dislike for them or feels that others such as clients and customers may feel it is unprofessional. The person conducting the interview does not have to state this as a reason they could simply say they did not feel you were right for the position. It may mean absolutely nothing to some employers, but I have seen employee handbooks that require all tattoos be covered and even require earrings not to hang below the ear lobe. Employers can even tell you what to wear, no jeans, no flip flops, ect. Tattoos are voluntary and fall under the same rules.

Answer 4

I met a woman years ago (before it became so popular) who told me that she couldn't get a job because of the tattoos on her arms. She was setting her sights pretty low, as she was looking for a job as a cleaner, but those tattoos got in the way every time. Until recently tattoos were associated with the forces or with prison. As I say, it was a long time ago.

However, if I saw a tattoo on someone's wrist I'd start wondering about what other (invisible) tattoos they had and why and yes, I think it would put me off. However, I don't think that discriminating against someone on the grounds of having tattoos falls within any legal parameters, unless someone belongs to a culture where having tattoos is mandatory.

Answer 5

I really don't think you could call it discrimination... it's not something you're born with, and unless your religion/culture DEMANDS tattoos, you can't really claim they're discriminating against you there, either. Discrimination has to do with placing one person lower than another based on who they are, not based on the choices they've made. A tattoo, like the clothes you wear, the jewelry you wear, and the way you do your hair, make a statement about who you are. Since these are things you chose for yourself, you are showing people how you see yourself and how you want them to see you. What kind of a statement does a tattoo make? Think about it, how does the world see tattoos? What groups do they associate them with? And ask yourself, why do you want to get a tattoo? Is there are particular group you're TRYING to associate yourself with? Even if you're not, people who see the tattoo are going to group you with them anyway.
A tattoo on your wrist isn't likely to keep you from getting a job in fast food or something like that. But any kind of job with a lot of responsibility or anything, don't count on people to see past your skin when they interview you. They're going to want someone who fits the look of the job, not just the job requirements themselves. And to be honest, tattoos just aren't very 'professional' looking.

Answer 6

Yes, it is legal to discriminate against someone if they have a tattoo, visible or not; at least in the U.S.

An employer can decide not to hire for any reason, including visible tattoos, hair is too long, too short, etc. These are not protected classes. On the other hand, if the tattoo is related to a protected disability, race, religion, national origin, or some other protected class, then it is probably illegal to discriminate on that basis (I am thinking about the holocaust victims who were tattooed with an id number).

Good luck.

Answer 7

YES YES YES Someone can choose not to hire you because of a tattoo. . .(and its legal) It was not something you were born with and had no control over, you choose to get the tattoo. We are adults and make decisions that will effect us, and that is not discrimination--its simply qualifications--the person qualified for the job must not have tattoos is an okay statement. You can also not get hired if your hair is dyed green... see what i mean when you make the choice to alter your look then its not discrimination. Companies get to choose what image they want to put forth.

Answer 8

it's not legal, but you can't prevent someone from having a personal opinion . They would not have to say it was that reason you did not get a job.
At the end of the day you don't know the person who is doing the interview or who you are up against, and if a choice had to be made, you don't know for sure if the tattoo would be a basis for discrimination.

Also it depends on the job, a friend of mine is not allowed long earrings, false nails, chipped varnish, sleeveless tops, open toe shoes and is required to wear make up. I'm sure her employer would not accept a tattoo.........

Answer 9

If you feel you have been discriminated against then get a lawyer. As for the tat, I have a gut feeling (as opposed to a legal opinion) that the employer can refuse to hire someone based solely on the tat and nothing else.

Answer 10

Having tattoos are not illegal, however, depending on the job and person doing the hiring it may have an effect.

Most states are right to work states, you cannot discriminate against someone but proving it will be very hard.

Unfortunately, we do judge people by appearance, but we do not admit it. Tattoos amongst other piercing do affect some of our business, however, other business don't have a problem with it.

I guess it really depends on the job and people who are hiring. It is legal to have these and illigal to discriminate. Proof that they did is another question.