Tattoos Lower Chances of Getting a Job: Study

Tattoos may be a style statement but they can be a big disadvantage too if you are looking for a job. Having a tattoo reduces your chances of getting a job, especially if it involves dealing with customers. Where the tattoo is and what it signifies matters to employers, according to a latest finding.

Tattoos are gaining popularity and acceptance in society more than ever. But if you are under the impression that employers are recognizing the growing tattoo trend and are altering their company standards when it comes to dress code and employee's appearance then think again. Tattoos in workplaces still remain a taboo. It's time to slow down as you may be constantly judged for it especially when it comes to employment

 At the recently held British Sociological Association conference on work, employment and society at Warwick, a management professor Dr Andrew R. Timming, University of St Andrews, said that tattoos were negatively viewed by most employers. He interviewed 15 managers in the age group 30-60, who were involved in hiring staff for organizations including hotels, banks, prisons, booksellers, city councils and universities. He questioned them about their reaction to candidates that had visible tattoos.

During the conference, Dr. Timming said that most of the respondents saw visible tattoos as unacceptable. The respondents believed tattoos made a person look dirty and thuggish and they would subconsciously avoid hiring a person with tattoos. Once the person leaves the interview room, tattoos are the first thing the recruiters talk about, he said.

Dr Timming said, "Hiring managers realise that, ultimately, it does not matter what they think of tattoos -- what really matters, instead, is how customers might perceive employees with visible tattoos. Respondents expressed concern that visibly tattooed workers may be perceived by customers to be 'abhorrent', 'repugnant', 'unsavoury' and 'untidy'. It was surmised that customers might project a negative service experience based on stereotypes that tattooed people are thugs and druggies."

The negative attitude toward tattoos was not carried over to ones that could be concealed by clothing as among the 15 managers, three had concealed tattoos.

Apart from this, Dr. Timming also observed that certain types of tattoos lowered the chances of getting a job in certain organizations.

He continued saying, "...there was a broad consensus among the respondents that although visible tattoos still hold a degree of taboo, in the not-so-distant future they will inevitably gain greater acceptance in the wider society. Several respondents pointed out that intolerance to tattoos is currently strongest amongst the older generations. That, coupled with the increasing prevalence of tattoos in younger people, points to a future in which body art will become largely normalised and accepted. Tattooed applicants can take comfort in the fact that the stigma associated with body art appears to be on the wane and that, as a corollary, there will likely be an increase in the number of potentially sympathetic tattooed hiring managers."

Tattoos that carried innocuous symbol such as butterflies and flowers were highly accepted. Tattoos like spider's web on the neck, tattoos signifying death or showing hangings are considered as offensive.

Managers had no personal objection to tattoos but would not consider hiring one with tattoos as they feared it would diminish their corporate image.