Something like 20% of Americans now have a tattoo of one kind or another, and the number of piercings beyond earlobes must be even higher. In one sense, you have to admire the artistry involved on the part of the creator of the pictures, and the pain threshold of those who get them. Ditto, the piercings for the latter.
Recently, I participated in a mock interview with a prospective employee. She was about 17 years old and had several piercings that traced the outline of one ear. Towards the end of the interview, I asked why she had them. She told me that she didn’t think that had anything to do with her ability to do the job. Fair enough. The question was not allowed because it was unrelated to merit.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act 1964 as amended protects those in the United States from employment discrimination for reasons of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. It says nothing about how many tattoos you have, where they’re located or how big they are. Neither does it address the issue of piercings, whether they’re in your ear, belly button, or somewhere else.
The US Military, however, does prohibit individuals from becoming officers if they have tattoos that damage the image of how they expect such people to appear. And there’s the rub. Whether such “body art” contributes to or detracts from the ability to do a job doesn’t matter. It’s the image that it portrays about the company to the world in general and to its customers.
To some extent, piercings can be hidden. Tattoos, however, are much more difficult unless you wear turtlenecks and long sleeves the year ’round. So, before you embark on your next such adventure with a needle, think hard about the impact it could have on your employability.
You won’t regret it.
Bruce Hoag, PhD, CPsychol
