Does the presence of a visible tattoo affect an employee’s performance?
Differences of opinion exist around this issue. Some organizations claim that the presence of a visible tattoo can affect a customer’s perception of the goods and services being provided. Many businesses have successfully defended the right to request that employees follow appearance guidelines. Yet, The Globe and Mail reports on a recent Quebec court case in which a daycare worker “and her union” successfully defended her right to display a tattoo on the job brings the question into the limelight.
Of course, tattoos that contain offensive content are one thing, but what about a visible rose on an employee’s arm?
Tattoos can affect the recruitment process. According to Exeter.co.uk, “a former soldier who was desperate to return to the military” was not re-hired because of his visible tattoos. Reuters reports on a Texas State University study, which shows that “visible body art is often still seen as unprofessional and unwanted by coworkers.” Research results also showed that people “would rather not work with someone with piercings and tattoos when face-to-face contact with customers is required.”
However, organizations need to use caution when they chose not to hire applicants with visible tattoos. All Business raises the question of whether or not women with tattoos are perceived differently than men who have tattoos. Yet, according to Human Resource Executive “In a survey conducted by Reed, Haldy, McIntosh & Associates for the Employment Law Alliance, 39 percent of the 1,000 Americans polled said they believe employers should have the right to deny employment to someone based on appearance, including visible piercings and body art.” The article also says “According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, employers are allowed to impose dress codes as long as they do not discriminate or hinder a person's race, color, religion, age, national origin or gender.”
Concern over customer reaction may be overblown. A New York Times article on this topic says that a company worried about customers finding an employee’s appearance “hostile or too in-your-face,” found the “reaction “has been a big nothing.”
Where does your organization stand on this issue?
References:
AllBusiness. “Tattoos in the Workplace: What's an Employer to Do?” AllBusiness [www.allbusiness.com].
Cooke, Kristina. “Tattoos and piercings still not accepted at work.” Reuters [www.reuters.com].
Exeter.co.uk. “Tattoos man barred from TA.” Exeter.co.uk [www.thisisexeter.co.uk].
McGraw, Mark. “Limiting Looks.” Human Resource Executive [www.hreonline.com]. October 2, 2005.
Peritz, Ingrid. “Visible tattoos okay on the job, Quebec judge rules.” The Globe and Mail [www.theglobeandmail.com]. June 15, 2009.
Trebay, Guy. “Tattoos Gain Even More Visibility.” The New York Times [www.nytimes.com]. September 24, 2008.
