Tattoos In The Workplace Research Paper

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Ashley Young Mr. Johnston English 10 9 March 2015 Tattoos in Society and the Workplace Conservative views keep qualified people from obtaining certain jobs because of tattoos. Although many people believe that tattoos and piercings are unprofessional, others would argue that not hiring someone because of them is discrimination. This discrimination gets in the way of people getting jobs that they have worked hard for and deserve. Imagine this; instead of hiring a qualified person for a high-ranking job because of a tattoo, they hired someone else who looked more professional yet was less educated. In many job positions, such as a surgeon, it could be a very dangerous act. Imagine that you are going in for surgery. Would you want a surgeon …show more content…

What if someone in your family who values their tattoos is turned away from their only option for a job because of these acts of discrimination? This is an inhumane act. Other companies, such as Ford, allow tattoos and piercings except for factory workers for safety reasons only. Thirty years ago one in one hundred people in America had tattoos, that has now increased to one in ten people. According to Erika Icon, the author of Tattoos and Piercings in the Workplace, tattoos are becoming more acceptable. This also relates to the article Support Tattoos and Piercings at Work, which states that seventy three percent of people will hire those that have facial tattoos/piercings. This article also states that seventy six percent of employees feel that they hurt job interview chances. The work force with the highest percentage of people with tattoos is the military, which is generally one of the most respected work …show more content…

Tattoos are a personal choice symbolizing who you are or what you believe in, just like religion. With many things (religion, teachings in the classroom, etc.) this shows freedom of expression, which is the first amendment of the Constitution. Not only is body art a constitutional right, it is a humane right. People should not only be able to do what they want with their body, but they should also not be singled out and thought poorly of because of this. This act of discrimination is a violation of our rights. Many managers do admit that they will not hire someone who has a visible tattoo due to offensive appearance which is understandable. Some skinhead’s have visible tattoos that are hateful or racist. For example, some have a tattoo that has the numbers 666

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