Normally, I try to provide more lighthearted posts on Fridays to help ease us into the weekend. But, since we played tag yesterday, I thought I’d get back to business . . but still rather lightheartedly.
So, I stumbled across an old (2006) post from a student at Florida A&M about how tattoos can tarnish your chances of getting a job. And, then I re-read a post from The HR Capitalist about tattoos cutting earning potential.
I don’t get it. According to a January 2008 Harris Interactive poll, 14% of all adults have at least one tattoo. To put that number into perspective, that’s about a third more than the total population of metropolitan New York City. Now, if that many people have tattoos, shouldn’t we (i.e. Corporate America) get a little more mainstream about them?
Tattoos have been around since before Ancient Egypt and tattooing is practiced globally. In some cultures, they are used not only as body art but as rites of passage, religious symbols, and decorations of bravery. There are lists of famous people who are well respected and revered for their talents . . . and they also happen to have tattoos. Here are a few (note: I have not personally seen any of these, just taking the word of Tattoo Johnny):
- Thomas Edison
- Winston Churchill
- Prince Charles (who knew?!)
- JFK Jr.
- Kurt Cobain
- Julia Roberts
Our world stands to be robbed of great talent if we can’t get past a little ink (or a body piercing for that matter). It’s not about what people look like – it’s about their hearts and their minds.
And, if that doesn’t convince you, think of the branding potential. Harley Davidson gets a lot of free marketing with all those biker tattoos. And I know at least one person who has a tattoo of the Starbucks logo (the original one). What do you have?
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HR Minion says
I have 3 tattoos. Two on each inner ankles and one on my right inner forearm. The ankles are of kitty paw prints, one has claws the other doesn’t, and the one on my forearm is a special tattoo that both me and my sister have. I want a fourth one but I haven’t decided what to get yet.
hr bartender says
How cool! Thanks for sharing. See, so glad that tats are getting a little more mainstream. I’m going to wait for a few more peeps to weigh in before I give full disclosure. 😉
KD says
Hi Sharlyn –
Saw the post, and wanted to comment. I don’t have an issue hiring someone with a tat, but the world at large still does, which is what my post focuses on. Mostly a section of people without tats that wouldn’t hire someone with one.
See it at least a couple of times a year with hiring managers, if it’s visable. I have no clue what Minion looks like, but I’d hire her based on the committment to the functional area and blogging alone, even if the tats were visible. Same with you!
KD – no tats, but don’t judge me because of it….
Totally Consumed says
I had a guy come to an interview with a swastika tattooed on his neck, hard to conceal. I hate to admit, it influenced my decision to not hire him. Am I evil?
Rachel - I Hate HR says
I have tattoos and I agree that it’s ridiculous in this day and age to expect people to be tattoo free. Now if they have a tattoo that’s obviously going to cause trouble (like Totally Consumed’s applicant) then it’s okay to consider it in the hiring process.
hr bartender says
Thanks to everyone who offered up their views on this subject. While we may have all approached this topic from a different angle, it appears we’ve all ended up on the same page. That is, determinations about candidates should be based on experience, skills, and abilities. And that should probably include a person’s poor judgment about getting what most everyone considers an offensive tattoo in a very visible location.
And, for the record . . . yes, I have a tattoo. Mr. Bartender and I both got yin yang symbols for our 20th anniversary last year. But I doubt anyone reading this will see it. (wink)