Pros And Cons Of Tattoos In The Workplace

Categories: Tattoo

Tattoos in the workplace are quite a controversial topic. This essay will look at both sides of the argument and discuss how this has an effect on a variety of working environments, and how people who have tattoos are perceived. 40% of people between the ages of 18 and 29 years old have at least one tattoo. These people could face discrimination over an art piece on a part of their body. Tattoos although can be classed as beautiful, may also offend some people.

With this information in mind should tattoos actually be allowed on show in a workplace?

Some people are getting turned down for a job just because they have a tattoo. Tattoos are getting increasingly more common in today’s society, so workers with tattoos are increasing. The world is slowly becoming more accepting of gay people or others LGBTQ+ Community but some people will still avoid workers with tattoos in all workplaces or think of them as if they are below just because of a simple art piece.

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Due to this, employers are cautious about people with tattoos for the possibility that it may affect their business and the sales they get.

So, people, such as Erin Brown, think it is unfair and confusing how an “undeniably qualified” person will be turned down for a job just because of a couple of visible tattoos. For example, a paramedic having a sleeve of appropriate tattoos will not stop him from saving many lives or a nursery nurse having a date on their wrist will not stop them from watching and teaching your kids while you are busy.

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Downgrading a tattoo may also be the same as downgrading a loved one if it has a sentimental value. Why should art stop people’s livelihoods that help support them and their families?

Although certain tattoos such as a body hanging of a noose on the forearm of a nurse may be classed as inappropriate. Out of 2000 plus people, 42% would agree with this statement. People such as The Mayor of Osaka, Toru Hashimoto, act on their beliefs of tattoos, firing anyone with a visible tattoo out of 30,000 people working for them.

It is apparently argued that it is completely unfair for a company to turn down a qualified worker because of a wrist tattoo or face tattoo. The main argument people use for this is why are employers not looking at qualifications instead of how their body looks. There have been a few anonymous statements comparing tattoos to people not getting a job due to the colour of their skin. They say that not hiring over something as tiny and simple as a tattoo is the same as not hiring someone of different skin colour to you. The world is evolving to look past skin, so what makes this mini piece of art any different.

Even though people with tattoos are marvellously qualified, statistics show that the actually the more educated you are, the less likely you are to have a tattoo.

These statistics show that if you have no tattoos you are more likely to be smarter or more qualified. They state that: - 20% have a bachelor’s degree

- 19% have an Associates degree

- 10% have Bachelor’s degree

- 8% have a Master’s degree

- 3% have a PhD

Although you don’t need to have qualifications to be talented

Tattoo artists can be quite talented; it is argued that they can just as talented or even more so than painters. We praise Picasso or DaVinci for their talent and their creativity but there are no famous tattoos artists praised for what they do. While painters are praised, tattoo artists are frowned upon. The difference between the two is that artists can erase and start their work again while tattoo artists cannot.

But do tattoo artists promote this underestimated version of self-harm?

The definition of self-harm is “deliberate injury to oneself,” So purposely letting a needle continually stab you to put ink into your skin could be classed as this. What is the difference between a needle and a knife? One is passed off as acceptable because it is a hidden way of self-harm that most people don’t think is portrayed that way, the other? It is an unacceptable way of expressing your feelings, and that these feelings should be talked about instead. So visible tattoos may promote self-harm to customers or others around them.

Tattoos may cause self-harm but for certain jobs, tattoos are a self-preservation method to make sure they stay alive.

Jobs such as the SAS, which is an elite military group, require a red triangle with their blood type located on their shoulder in case of an emergency blood transfusion. This may occur by getting other injuries. So, for them to do hostage rescues and other of their important but dangerous jobs they need just a simple tattoo that can save their lives. Is it self-harm if it can and will save many lives?

So, in conclusion, Tattoos can be beautiful and important in some people’s lives. But it may come across as offensive to others as different people have different things, they find offensive. So, after researching this topic and people’s opinions, I think that tattoos should not be a problem. If you find it offensive, ignore it. It is not on your body, so why should someone get to change it? 

Works cited

  1. Brown, E. (2021). "Undeniably Qualified": Does Appearance Matter More than Ability in the Workplace? Medium. https://medium.com/@erinbrown/undeniably-qualified-does-appearance-matter-more-than-ability-in-the-workplace-35e9e1c8246a
  2. Hussey, R. (2019). 40% of 18-29 Year Olds Have Tattoos. Statista. https://www.statista.com/chart/10473/share-of-americans-with-at-least-one-tattoo/
  3. Jenkins, K. (2019). The History of Tattoos: From Body Art to Investment. The Balance. https://www.thebalance.com/the-history-of-tattoos-from-body-art-to-investment-4161388
  4. Levy, J. (2019). Tattoos and Employment: Here's What You Need to Know. The Balance Careers. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/tattoos-and-employment-2060853
  5. Mento, A. (2019). The Problem with Tattoo Discrimination in the Workplace. Refinery29. https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/tattoo-discrimination-workplace
  6. Murphy, H. (2019). Are Tattoos Still Taboo in the Workplace? BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48666551
  7. Statista. (2021). Share of Individuals with at Least One Tattoo in the United States in 2019, by Education Level. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1135754/share-of-individuals-with-at-least-one-tattoo-in-the-united-states-by-education-level/
  8. Watson, J. (2019). Tattoos: A Sign of Self-Expression or Self-Harm? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/tattoos-a-sign-of-self-expression-or-self-harm
  9. Wicklund, E. (2019). Tattoo Artist vs Painter: The Difference Between the Two. The Tattoo Tourist. https://www.thetattootourist.com/tattoo-artist-vs-painter/
Updated: Feb 02, 2024
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Pros And Cons Of Tattoos In The Workplace. (2024, Feb 08). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/pros-and-cons-of-tattoos-in-the-workplace-essay

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