Taylor Schoolar

Research Paper

December 20, 2018

Acceptance

The world is constantly changing as generations grow up and go out. What is

not accepted one day, may be the next day. A social trend that has grown over the
years is one that brings up a huge issue when hunting for the job of choice. Self
expression through body piercings and tattoos is not controversial to the younger
population but can affect its chances of prospects.

Tattoos are a forever piece of art that are put onto the body through
several tiny needles poking into the skin. The reasons behind getting a tattoo are
spread out. Most people that have tattoos see them as a unique part of who they
are (Kang). Being a teenager is hard enough in the world today. Many people
struggle with ways to find personal independence. Tattoos generally attract the
minors and college students, because during this time of life is when it is time to
claim who one will be in life (Kang). In a study done by Mayo clinic found out that
nationwide more than twenty million Americans have tattoos and more than that
have body piercings. (Jensen). Thirty- six percent of humans that have tattoos are
between the ages of eighteen and twenty-nine (“History of Tattoos”). That is a lot
of people that have them, yet they still are not widely accepted in the workplace.

When meeting someone for the first time the first impression matters.
Unfortunately in today’s world tattoos are not accepted by the older people. The
older generation happens to be the ones that are higher up in a company. Before
going into a job interview the prospective person should be aware of the companies
policies. Most jobs will state their policies so that going into the interview the
interviewee is not blinded. The employer has to be careful not to discriminate when
someone comes in. If tattoos are present that can not simply be the reason to not
hire them unless it is stated in the companies policy. Many employers have policies
that do not allow for tattoos to be present. That policy is the “no visible tattoo
policy” (Gross). They are allowed to enforce that as long as it is compliant with the
discrimination law (Bruce). However, depending on what the tattoo is and where it
is located on the body most there could be no issue with it at all, that is up to the
employer (Gross). Having a lot of piercings could be a safety hazard in some
industries which may cause an issue. When that is the case it is due to a safety
issue so the employee must take them out for the good of them. This mostly occurs
in factories where heavy machinery is used (Gross). Businesses that discriminate
against tattoos and piercings usually have many negative impacts (STAWPAW). In
the United states and most of Europe, tattoos and piercings are starting to
become disconnected from the stereotype of being unprofessional (STAWPAW).
When this stereotype starts fading away the issues of tattoos and piercings in the
workplace will no longer be an issue. This is a generational trend as only eleven
percent of the people in the United States that have tattoos are between the ages
of fifty-six and sixty- four years old (“History of Tattoos”). The bottom line is
that employees should be hired based on a strong work ethic, character and value
the job that they are applying for and over the years to come this will become
true.

In 2014 Starbucks Coffee started to relook at its no visible tattoo policy.

Before the relook the company made employees cover up tattoos with sleeves if
the tattoo was located on an arm (Seattle). Starbucks looking over its policies
shows that the no “no visible tattoo policy” is on its way out. Not all companies are
doing this however, Walt Disney World in Florida has and will continue to have
employees cover up any visible tattoos (Kline). They are a kid friendly place and
they want to keep it that way. Just because has a tattoo does not mean that they
will never get a job. Getting a job with a tattoo will not affect chances of getting a
job as much as it used to as they are becoming more accepted, however it is still
not one hundred percent (“Research Reveals”). If it can be covered it should be
before walking into an interview especially if the company does not like that look. A
USA today article recommends “to research the company's policy about covering
up in the workplace, if a person is about to interview for their company so you won’t
be surprised when you walk in.” (Kline) Of a 2,675 person survey, seventy-six
percent of people think that having tattoos can hurt ones chance when applying
(Kline). Fifty-five percent of people from that survey that was conducted feel
that having body piercings will negatively affect the chance of getting a job (Kline)
Whoever works for a company is the people that represent it. The face of the
company is the people that work there. If people are not fans of tattoos than a
bunch of employees with tattoos will not make the company look good. Looking back
on the survey that was conducted in a USA today article thirty-nine percent of the
people thought that having tattoos and piercings reflect badly on the company
(Kline, “Will Your Piercing”). Know what the company believes in before walking into
an interview and their should not be any surprises when it comes into play.
 Since 2007 tattoos have become thirteen percent more popular (Bruce).
When getting a tattoo there are many reasons behind the tattoo or piercings of
choice. Men as a gender have more tattoos than females because they help to
reinforce masculinity (Kang). Women have gotten tattoos to help overcome from
violent situations and illness as well as how they see themselves in the mirror
(Kang). A lot of younger people will get tattoos when something in life happens that
is significant to them. Many family members will get matching tattoos to keep
traditions alive. Tattoos are sometimes affiliated with gangs and other rebellious
people but as the world has advanced this stereotype is slowly going away. Looking
at statistics the reason that many people that hold high positions in the workplace
do not have tattoos and piercings is because four in ten people born after the year
1980 have a tattoo and one in four have piercings someplace other than the ears
(Mercer).

The general age to get a tattoo and piercings in the United States is
eighteen years old. That is the age to be considered as an adult. The right to vote
is given, the right to move out and live alone, and many other significant things are
given at this age. Tattoos are permanent for the most part and at this age it is
assumed that the tattoo of choice has been thought out and it is something that is
actually wanted and hopefully will not be regretted, this is not true for all cases.
Parental permission in some cases allow someone to get a tattoo or piercing before
they are legally able to do it alone. Just because eighteen is the age does not mean
that something added to the body will not be regretted later. Many people end up
getting tattoos removed or taking piercings out. Do research before and make sure
that it is something a person really wants to eliminate regret.

In conclusion today tattoos have gained a wider acceptance and more and more
people are starting to get them done (Gross). The beautiful artwork is on an
upward trend. Once the millennials are in charge and play a higher role in the
business industry, based on trends the problem with getting a job while having a
tattoo will not be as difficult. Tattoos and piercings are what sets a difference
from a person to another person which is what America is all about.
 Works Cited

Bruce, Victoria. “Tattoos in the Workplace - What the Lawyers Say.” HR

Online, 25 Jan. 2016, www.hcamag.com/hr-news/tattoos-in-the-
workplace--what-the-lawyers-say-210935.aspx.

Gross, Barrie. “Tattoos in the Workplace: What's an Employer to Do?” All

Business, Dun & Bradstreet, 2 Apr. 2018, www.allbusiness.com/tattoos-in-
the-workplace-whats-an-employer-to-do-4113152-1.html.

“History of Tattoos - Meaning and Origin.” History of Tattoos - Origin and

Meaning of Tattoos, 2018, www.historyoftattoos.net/.

Jensen, J. J. "Tattoo You and Piercings, Too." The Seattle Times (Seattle,
WA), 28 Jan. 2005, pp. D1-D2. SIRS Issues Researcher,
https://sks.sirs.com.

Kang, Miliann, and Katherine Jones. "Why do People Get Tattoos?" Contexts,
2007, pp. 42-47. SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com.

Kline, Daniel B. “Will Your Piercing or Tattoo Prevent You from Getting Your
Dream Job?” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 11 Aug.
2017, www.usatoday.com/story/money/careers/2017/08/11/will-your-
piercing-or-tattoo-prevent-you-from-getting-your-dream-job/104217262/.

Mercer, Marsha. "Explosion in Tattooing, Piercing Tests State Regulators."

stateline.org, 18 Jun. 2017. SIRS Issues Researcher,https://sks.sirs.com.
 “Research Reveals How Your Tattoos Affect Your Chances of Getting the
Job.” Workopolis Blog, Workopolis Blog, 26 Oct. 2017,
careers.workopolis.com/advice/research-reveals-how-your-tattoos-affect-
your-chances-of-getting-the-job/.

Seattle Times. “Starbucks Revisiting Dress Code, Tattoo Policies.” SFGate,

San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Sept. 2014,
www.sfgate.com/business/article/Starbucks-revisiting-dress-code-tattoo-
policies-5757491.php.

STAPAW. “Tattoos in the Workplace Statistics.” Support Tattoos and

Piercings at Work, Support Tattoos and Piercings at Work, 2012,
www.stapaw.com/tattoos-in-the-workplace-statistics.

Labeling Key
verb form
verb tense
strong word choice
poor word choice
spelling error
awkward phrasing
capitalize word
lower case - do not capitalize
Provide an example to support your point
sentence fragment
run-on sentence
repetitive
Punctuation error
_

Label Name
Extracted Text
poor word choice
a lot

a lot

A lot

things

In conclusion
_
than

their
awkward phrasing
that have tattoos

In a study done by Mayo clinic found out that

on the body most there could be no issue with it at all

Just because has a tattoo

capitalize word
states

to

today
run-on sentence
Not all companies are doing this however, Walt Disney World in Florida has and will
continue to have employees cover up any visible tattoos
it is something that is actually wanted and hopefully will not be regretted, this is not true
for all cases.
Punctuation error
time

world

interview

present

companies

case

away

for

relook

to

covered

interview

recommends

ones

tattoos
article

people

advanced

statistics

part

based on trends

person
_
than

their