Tattoo Acceptance Revision
Tattoos have become a way to affect getting employed. A question that has come into play is; are my tattoos going to keep me from being hired? A couple of years ago tattoos would be a serious problem for someone getting hired, but recently this has started to change.
Employers have many reasons of their own of why they could accept or not accept tattoos. There are so many variables. Tattoos can be inappropriate, distracting and can give off the wrong impression. You could be applying to work with children and parents don’t want people with marks on their bodies working with their kids. You could be applying to work retail and an employer could argue that people would be less likely to buy from someone due to their tattoos.
Sarah Peterson, 19, of Cedar Rapids doesn’t think that a person’s tattoos should keep them from a job.
“Tattoos shouldn’t be a judge of a person’s work ethic. Tattoos have nothing to do with your ability to do a job or get to work on time. A lot of people have tattoos now, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t have one and you can’t put everyone out of work. Also most tattoos can be covered up so that shouldn’t even be an issue,” Sarah said.
Sarah worked at a daycare for 2 years and her tattoos were never an issue. She now works in her college’s speaking center and the only thing that ever comes up that involves her tattoos is the occasional person asking for a backstory. It never affects her job negatively.
“If you are working with children then excessive tattoos may be a bit much. I know it’s hard to define ‘excessive,’ but kids can get the wrong idea. Obviously if you have inappropriate tattoos the have to be able to be covered no matter where you are working, that’s just tasteless,” Sarah answered.
Thinking ahead is a good choice whether it’s considering a job or not.
“The first one, no I really wasn’t. It’s on my wrist and not exactly small. I don’t regret it and it hasn’t proven to be a problem. If I really need to cover it I can use bracelets or a Band-Aid.” Sarah said as she showed the rest explaining that they were all easily covered underneath her clothes and that she was thinking ahead for her other tattoos.
A tattoo is permanent so you should think ahead no matter what. Tasha Strand of Cedar Rapids is an English teacher at a high school. Tattoos have been an issue in her profession.
“When I was a senior in high school I couldn’t wait until I turned 18 to get my first tattoo. I wasn’t thinking ahead at all. I just knew I wanted one and it was more rebellious at that time.” Tasha said.
If you look up rules on tattoos in a school environment, it really depends on the school to choose what their policy is with students and teachers.
“The schools that I have worked at are pretty lenient with tattoos which is good because I have one on my forearm. I did however go to an interview at a school for a position right out of college that told me I would have to always have my tattoo covered. Needless to say it was going to be a problem, which is why when I got another job interview and they told me it wasn’t an issue I was relieved. I don’t see it to be a problem unless it’s offensive and inappropriate,” Tasha said.
http://www.dba-oracle.com/dress_code_tattoos.htm
http://www.nhbar.org/publications/display-news-issue.asp?id=4004