There could be special provisions for people whose work doesn't involve customer interaction. And as companies try to become inclusive and diverse, a question more and more HR practitioners find themselves asking is: what exactly passes as acceptable body art? There are different reasons why people get inked – most do it to express … In fact, according to a 2017 Statista Survey, four out of 10 American adults aged 18 to 69 have at least one tattoo, and a quarter of those responding reported multiple tattoos. In Victoria, an employer cannot discriminate against an employee or prospective employee on the basis of their "physical features". Taking that away from them feels a lot like stripping them of their identity, and really, who wants to work in a place like that? To avoid this predicament, review your company policies diligently. Apart from protecting your company’s brand image, as an employer, it’s also your duty to get the best talent available. Unless you were explicit from the beginning about having a strict ‘no tattoo policy’, and only if you can prove that an employee wilfully lied to you about having one, only then do you have the right to let them go. You are, however, legally entitled to ask them to cover it up. They still have some of the most stringent guidelines when it comes to the overall appearance of their cabin crew. These may include symbols of hate, prejudice and sexism (think Nazi swastika). For instance, if an employee has a religious tattoo or if it’s against his or her beliefs to cover them up, then it’s your job as an employer to accommodate accordingly – particularly if having a tattoo doesn’t directly affect their performance or their jobs. Understand the Culture. An Elite CafeMedia Publisher - Update Privacy Preferences. And the reality is you may have to hire someone who is covered in ink from time to time. Piercings and tattoos are certainly more common than in past generations, but that doesn’t mean they are no longer a topic of contention in the workplace. If you’re worried about how this will affect the workplace, take comfort in the fact that people’s perception about tattoos has changed. For the longest time, tattoos have been relegated to the realm of outlaws, gangsters and rebels. There are times when it does get tricky. For body piercings, the 18-25 age group topped the charts at 11%, compared to a combined 3% of people older than 40. On the other hand, if an employee gets a tattoo before a policy change is officially implemented, then an employer has absolutely no right to fire them. There are millions of people around the world who choose to get inked, so it’s inevitable to encounter a potential hire who has one. For example, if you work in an industry that requires a lot of face-time with customers or if it involves being in front of a camera, then it would make sense not to hire someone whose face is covered in tattoos. But this doesn’t in any way – legally or emotionally – violate their employees’ rights. If you're confused about where tattooed employees fit in today’s modern workplace and how your company can best adapt to an increasingly more diverse workforce, then be sure to read our helpful guide below. McDade said that in addition to tattoos, there may be valid safety concerns around piercings that are relevant and allow employers to impose certain requirements to comply with their work health and safety duties. This is how you protect the company’s brand image and attract the right people. When employees don't understand why they have to do something, such as being asked to cover up their tattoos, they often end up resenting management, which can lead to a slew of other problems. There are some instances, of course, when tattoos are exceedingly inappropriate and deeply offensive. It’s your responsibility to inform your staff about any adjustments in company policies. 548227, reg. In fact, in a 2015 study published in the International Journal of Innovative Research & Development (IJIRD), 86% of young professionals didn’t think that tattoos or piercings should reduce anyone’s chances of getting a job, while 83% of them don’t associate tattoos with deviant behaviour. But, today, people wear their ink like a badge of pride – it’s a part of who they are. There are different reasons why people get inked – most do it to express themselves, others consider it as a form of art, while some (believe it or not) do it for religious reasons. Some of your employees might think that implementing a strict dress code violates their right to freedom of expression, but that’s not actually the case. CareerAddict is a registered trademark of DeltaQuest Media. Depending on the nature of your business and the company you represent, there will be times when you will have to decline a candidate. “I believe that this is a non-issue and most likely will fall to the wayside as the new generation takes on the working world,” he said. That way, employees are given an option to hide their tattoos (again, provided it doesn’t go against their religious beliefs) and, in return, they won’t feel so deprived. It's important to make sure that employees not only adhere to company policies but also understand the reasons behind them. Card payments collected by DeltaQuest Media, company no. When it comes to proper office appearance and work conduct, employment law defers to companies to create and implement their own policies. As an alternative, some companies choose a ‘no visible tattoo policy’, which you may want to consider, as well. Policies that prohibit tattoos should not reflect value judgments about tattoos or the people who get them. Creating a safe, fun and flexible environment will undoubtedly lead to better results, not just for the employees but for the company, as well. Having a ‘no tattoo policy’ only makes sense if your business requires a lot of customer interaction or is at the mercy of public perception. A word of caution, though: refusing to hire a person who has tattoos is cause for discriminatory action, especially if there's no provision in your dress code against it. It’s both an individual and a cultural choice that should be regarded with respect, regardless of how you feel about tattoos. It’s well within your rights to provide rules on how to dress, act and look inside the office. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to create policies that attract, rather than turn off potential talent. Has your HR department introduced a policy against employees showing their ink? There’s no denying that getting inked has become more acceptable and normal over the years. Meanwhile, a 2015 poll by Harris Interactive showed that nearly 29% of Americans have them. Here are seven tips for handling tattoos in the workplace. When this happens, it’s important to know which steps to take and which policies apply so that you don’t end up stepping on anyone’s rights as an employee. Tattoos used to be considered part of a counterculture or outside of the norm, but now they are much more socially acceptable and prevalent. How does your company feel about tattoos in the workplace? It is then your right as an employer to refuse a candidate, especially if these tattoos are visible. It is, therefore, very important to not set policies that are biased against tattoos or the people who choose to get them. As you might guess, age plays a huge role in how tattoos and piercings are perceived at work.The younger generation was most likely to have tattoos, as people age 26-32 edged out the 18-25 demographic by a 22% to 21% margin. These findings are good indicators about how much the workplace should adapt when drafting today’s dress codes and company guidelines. Many employers – particularly in businesses dealing with retail or corporate customers – set dress standards for employees. For years, people have debated on whether or not tattoos should be a factor in employment. Both the UK and the US have laws that protect employees against unlawful termination. Also, always ask them to sign a contract which states that they agree to the dress code; that way, difficult employees won’t be able to claim ignorance in the future. Although respondents in each age group seemed t… You can argue that what these symbols represent go against your company’s core values, which is the primary reason why dress codes and policies were created in the first place. All rights reserved. So negative assumptions about what tattoos say about the people who have them are very often misplaced. Airlines have always been clear about what kind of image they want to project, which is why they set their dress codes very strictly and very early on. That number drops steadily with age, bottoming out at less than 1% for people age 60 and older. In fact, the law is pretty much on your side with this one. To be on the safe side, always check with your Legal department to make sure you're not breaking or misinterpreting any rules. Share your thoughts in the comments section below... ©2020 DeltaQuest Media. Bouchard and McAllister agree that workplace tattoos aren’t as big of an issue as they were, say 10 or 20 years ago, and Danes believes that employee diversity is important for building a better tomorrow. Sign up to our weekly newsletter for more great content and get 20% OFF our career test! In fact, according to a 2012 survey by the British Association of Dermatologists, at least one in every five Britons has a tattoo. Just take a look at the airline industry. As cultures continue to evolve, so should companies adapt to the changing needs of the workplace. In fact, many employers would likely be surprised to find out how many current employees have tattoos and simply cover them up at work. address: The Black Church, St. Mary’s Place, Dublin 7, Ireland.