Dear employers,
There is something you should understand about what it means to have a tattoo: they come in all shapes and sizes on all different types of people. Certainly some people don’t fully think over their misspelt tattoos, but many do not regret their permanent art display. With nearly “40 percent” of the next generation having at least one tattoo. It’s time to stop affiliating every tattoo with a gang or rebellion. Just because a person has a tattoo, does not mean they will be a bad employee, and nor does it mean they should feel obligated to cover every single tattoo from sight.
There are all different types of people who have tattoos, especially young people. Just because a person has a tattoo, does not mean they don’t have a college degree or are not suited for a job. In the workforce, an employer is not supposed to judge a person based upon their sexual orientation, race or religion. It is time that you move past the perception that a tattoo is a symbol of rebellion or a gang. A tattoo is a part of a person’s appearance that can describe that person’s personality. It can be a symbol for many different aspects of a person’s life: It could be in memory of a family member who passed, to record a new life milestone or maybe they just really like waffles. Regardless of what the tattoo is, a person should not be discriminated against because they have ink permanently pushed into their dermis.
Supposedly the placement of a tattoo is what causes you all to discriminate. Certain companies will accept “discrete” tattoos such as ones that can be covered on the forearm or easily hidden with makeup. However, you are still discriminating against individuals with body modifications as it is specifically asking them to cover the ink and hide it as if it doesn’t actually exist. However, people with “‘job stopper’” tattoos such as neck and facial tattoos are heavily discouraged or outright told that they cannot apply for a job due to their body modification. This is due to how you look at them. You immediately think someone with a neck tattoo doesn’t have a GED, or are rough individuals. Your perception of a potential employee should be based upon their merit, not their ink.
You make getting a tattoo impossible because people worry about getting a job. This doesn’t always have to be the case. There are many successful individuals that have tattoos. Since you define success as the amount of money or education one has, then there are many individuals who qualify as extremely successful that have tattoos. Many professional athletes, celebrities, and even professors at esteemed universities sport tattoos. A person’s intelligence is not affected by tattoos, nor is their personality. Specifically, the only thing that is affected by one’s tattoos is other’s outward perception towards that individual. A tattoo shouldn’t stop you from looking at the interviewee’s resume and hearing about their credentials. You shouldn’t use a tattoo as an indicator of other’s success rates. You need to change your policies so that everyone can be a potential employee, including those with tattoos.
Body art should not be a deal breaker. A tattoo is a way for a person to “express” their identity. They give people confidence, an “‘edgy’” feeling, that would be perfect in your company. You are always seeking the best that can bring in more money. Wouldn’t someone who has enough bravery to get a tattoo be perfect for your company? They would feel confident when talking to potential clients and be able to state what is on their mind clearly. With this in mind, these are both qualities that come from boosting one’s morale into getting a tattoo. Now doesn’t that sound like a great employee for you?
People get tattoos for various reasons. Whatever the reason may be, it does not give you the right to tell them that they are no longer fit to become an employee due to that tattoo. They are a way to express emotions, create visual art, and a way to tell a personal story. There are plenty of successful individuals, from YouTube celebrities to doctors, that have at least one tattoo but still maintain your idea of a successful individual. You shouldn’t limit someone based upon his or her outward appearance. This includes someone who wears a turban, someone who is a minority, and someone who has a tattoo. These are all a part of a person’s appearance that you choose to discriminate against. Instead of putting a blanket ban on tattooed individuals, look past what a person looks like and see their success in your company.
Your new employees,
Inked Individuals
