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Tattoos in the workplace argument
Tattoos in modern society
Tattoos in modern society
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Quotes, birds, and Chinese lettering are just a few tattoos that are seen in today’s society. Tattoo placement ranging from the wrists, feet, and back the possibility for where and what someone would want for a tattoo is endless. Tattoos are looked as ways to express yourself by either remembering a loved one, giving yourself a reminder to push forward in life, or just to get something that you really enjoy. When people get tattoos they probably don’t see anything wrong at the time, but people from a later generation than today’s can definitely disagree. Most are very un-accepting and against tattooing one’s skin. They are not the only ones who frown upon them, though; most work industries would not admit them either. A lot of businesses look down on people who have tattoos, either not allowing them to get a job or believing that they are not suitable for the position. Tattoos do not disrupt a person’s work ethics and take away one’s capability to get a job done.
The reasons why people get tattoos are infinite. A 2012 study in BBC magazine states, “Personality differences between tattooed and non-tattooed individuals were ‘generally small’ although those with tattoos tended to be more extroverted and display a greater "need for uniqueness” (Kelly). From trivial things like an infinity sign to a large portrait on an arm, the options are endless to those who want to express themselves freely. Why should the freedom to express one’s self be taken away? The excitement and rush that fills their body when they know they are getting something to represent who they are should not be taken away for the simple fact of not being able to land a job. Many may become discouraged thinking about the future and if or if not a job will hire based ...
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...y covering them up while at work and if not possible just learn to accept it and move on.
Tattoos should be accepted more than ever in today’s society. If you are able to go to a swimming pool, go to the grocery store, or even walk inside of a school without harming anyone you should be able to get a job. Major athletes and professional actors have tattoos, if not covered in many but are they looked down as unprofessional? Most may find them as role models or people they aspire to be like. If someone famous can have a successful life covered in tattoos, so should the ‘average American’. Becoming more accepting of things like tattoos will help expand us as a country and take away the judgment towards one with tattoos. The qualities and skills that are able to be brought from an individual to a work company are endless. A tattoo should not take this away from them.
The perception of tattoos and those wearing them has varied in societies since tattoos first started being used. Some of the reasons people had/have tattoos include: therapy, protection, homage, memory, religion, or a dumb mistake. In historic cases, tattoos were used as a way to communicate with others, and were a common occurrence in most societies throughout history. Schildkrout states “There is no culture in which people do not, or did not paint, pierce, tattoo, reshape, or simply adorn their bodies (Schildkrout).”Since modern technology has made tattoos relatively affordable, faster and slightly less painful to receive, tattooing has shifted from select groups to “everyone else”. There are no specific groups for tattoos anymore, they are seen everywhere on all types of people and are less discriminated agains...
As a tattooed person, I can attest that stigma and prejudice are still alive and well in the new millennium, even in a "liberal outpost" like Massachusetts. Whether it's a stare, look, comment or something more serious, like denial of service or hassling from law enforcement, cultural stigma is still a factor for those seeking tattoos. Much of this is clearly rooted in the history of tattooing in the U.S. (see below) but there are other possible sources for these attitudes as well.
Even though the unemployment rate is the lowest in years, the job market has becoming so highly competitive. There are hundreds of the qualified applicants that have no tattoos nor piercing. And still historically and religiously, tattoos and piercing are found upon as a bad decision once upon a time.
Americans have been continuously encouraged to support and appreciate art. People are taught to appreciate paintings from a young age. They are informed that being unique is all right. Inventiveness and self-expression are continually being supported. Then, why are people so judgmental when they see an individual with tattoos? Numerous individuals decide to cover their bodies with tattoos. In fact, Jon Kelly, states in BBC News Magazine that, “Tattoos are more popular than ever, but workers can be dismissed from or denied jobs for the reason of their body modifications.” Although people have tattoos, it does not mean they have been in a gang or are violent, and it does not infer that they are not as competent or accomplishing as an individual without a tattoo. Tattoos are not character qualities. However, individuals with tattoos may not be considered for specific occupations, just for the reason that they make decisions with their own bodies; and they may be judged.
Despite tattoos becoming more accepted and mainstream in society, studies show that individuals with visible tattoos are often hired at a lower rate than people who are not tattooed. Persons without tattoos tend to view those with tattoos to be less honest than other non-tattooed people (Dean, 2010.). Many students who surveyed that currently have tattoos revealed that they want to get another tattoo and consider the location of the tattoo will have impact their future jobs/ employment. Many are thinking ahead being aware that tattoos still serve as a faux pas in business places, still continuing to express themselves by inking themselves perhaps in a more concealing way. While tattoos on auto mechanics
Many people have been getting tattoos lately. People of all ages have been getting them and from all different backgrounds. On a nice day in just about any public place one can spot a tattoo about every five minutes, from the business man who had a portrait of his daughter put on him to a young girl with a butterfly on her ankle and even people with extensive tattoo coverage. What is even more interesting is the rise in the number of people who are heavily tattooed and that they come from all different backgrounds. Not too long ago tattooing did not experience the popularity in mainstream culture that it does now. The question that must be asked in order to understand this fascination that popular culture has had with tattoos is why people get tattoos.
Prior to conducting our surveys we thought that tattoos would have an effect. With the findings from our survey we found that most of our participants did not feel that tattoos in the workplace were a problem. Applying our research to sociology, we found Charles Cooley’s looking-glass self was a fine example for why employers may want their employees to cover up their tattoos. As researchers we have recognized the flaws in our survey so we can conduct a better one. Our results showed that tattoos in the workplace were not a big problem like we had originally
It is true that the young people have more tattoos than the old people. 36% of Americans between ages 18-29 have a tattoo (Brooks). The fact that society is accepting this violation means that there are more people who are yet to confirm, of which they will in the near future. It is also evident that people wear tattoos to show commitment because lovers for instance wear the images or the names of their lovers and others wear the images of their icons to show that they matter to them. This kind of permanence on someone’s body shows commitment and it is admirable to the world.
Seeing how not accepting tattoos and piercings in the workplace can cause greater problems, employers need to start accommodating for individuals of all different backgrounds. Businesses need to start focusing on the important matters such as, education, work ethic, attitude, and the willingness to do their job successfully. Anything else is just an
Thirty years ago one in one hundred people in America had tattoos, that has now increased to one in ten people. According to Erika Icon, the author of Tattoos and Piercings in the Workplace, tattoos are becoming more acceptable. This also relates to the article Support Tattoos and Piercings at Work, which states that seventy three percent of people will hire those that have facial tattoos/piercings. This article also states that seventy six percent of employees feel that they hurt job interview chances. The work force with the highest percentage of people with tattoos is the military, which is generally one of the most respected work
So this can cause a problem when it comes to finding a job. Employers might not be too excited about hiring someone with a lot of ink on their bodies and if they do get hired they will most likely be required to cover it up. Depending on where you want to work or apply to there is many workplaces that have a policy that says visible tattoos are not allowed. To some people they can see tattoos differently , they can think it unprofessional A reason why people might not agree with tattoos in work place is because it can reflect who you are wether it's in a good or bad way. For many years it's said that tattoos were associated with gangs, bikers and other groups that were thought to operate outside of the social
Under the law, employees have no legal right to show their tattoos in the workplace but employers have the legal right to require employees to cover or remove tattoos (“Dress codes and employee appearance,” n.d.). So, employees must be careful when dressing for work to prevent showing their tattoos in their workplace. Besides, tattoos always leave a bad impression for the old folks’ generation during people’s first job interview (Kennedy, 2015). Therefore, getting a visible or an invisible tattoo has become one of the main considerations of people who wish to get
As tattooing has become more popular, so have the cases of tattoo remorse or regret. Investigating the motivations behind acquiring tattoos has become relevant in the academia. One of the most popular reasons for someone to get inked is to pay tribute to a loved one they have lost. There are people who have their love one’s names tattooed on them because it’s meaningful and it’s like having a bit of them with you even when their not with you. Brian is not a tattoo type of guy. He states "I would have never gotten any tattoos if it wasn't for Sept. 11 and my need to keep the memory alive of my friends who died that day," (Laura). Tattoos are more than just a trend but is a way of life for some people. Getting memorial tattoos is a sort of comfort carrying a keepsake with you everywhere you go. Others also get tattoos for motivation and encouragement. Many people have phrases and words that hold powerful meaning for them. Tattoos are seen as a marker of physically stronger bodies and also emotionally stronger selves (Atkinson). Covering a scar as a motivation behind acquiring a tattoo has seldom been mentioned in articles, which include cases such as hiding a wound. Studies also show that tattoos can be an addiction. some satisfied customers of tattooists may become addicted to tattoos and thus become
As stated by Naomi Wolf, “Unlike plastic surgery and diets that speak, in simple and complex ways, about desires for normalcy, beauty, and control, tattoos in American culture are not normal” (as citied in Braunberger, 2000, p. 2). Many people will continue to oppose visible tattoos at school or at work places. Tattoos have evolved but the journey is still long in order to fully accept it as norm in society. I believe that as a society, we can accept tattooing but it is a frontier that we are slowly approaching.
According to a statement made in Kirst-Ashman and Hull’s book, Generalist practice with organizations and communities, a person's irregular appearance, such as tattoos or other body modifications “turns off your clients, colleagues, and administration,” which workers then “may wish to forgo such bits of self-expression” (qtd. Williams, et al. p. 419). Tattoos do not have an affect on a businesses returning clients or any other personnel. They are growing more and more popular as forms of individuality. Rita Pyrillis quoted Daniela Schreier, a psychologist, in “Body of Work,” that body art has become more of a fashion statement and younger employees view tattoos and other body modification more as a form of self-expression (qtd. Pyrillis, para. 12). Among some of the older generations, tattoos are viewed as unprofessional and a form of rebellion, which is not the case. Even though tattoos can be viewed as unprofessional, as long as they are not offensive or gruesome they should be allowed because tattoos can send a message of individuality and not allowing them is a form of discrimination .