Tattoo Job Impact
By: Shalah Sasse
Updated: February 20, 2013
The Indiana Civil Rights Commission says it believes an Indianapolis company denied a job interview to a man because he had tattoos on his forearms. Why do some employers frown upon tattoos? Experts say in either case there's the freedom of choice.
Nick Morgan loves music and nature and is getting a tattoo to show his passions. He came to Earthborne Studios on Washington Avenue in Evansville.
"Like your body is kind of a canvas and you're just expressing past events and your taste in life," Nick Morgan said.
Not only is it a conversation starter, it's a form of expression. But sometimes that expression can hold you back from getting a job. Angela Noble works at HR Solutions, Inc. in Evansville. They work with hundreds of clients and help companies find good people who are looking for work. Noble says its important to put your best foot forward. She says if you have an interview, make sure you cover your tattoos. Some employers say if you're careless with yourself, you'll be careless with the business equipment and materials.
"Whether its the kind of clothes I wear, or things I put on my body, tattoos, or piercings, or anything like that, that's my right to do that because it's my body. But it's also my right as an employer to not hire you if that is something that I think would be a detriment to my business," Angela Noble said.
Noble says tattoo policies change from business to business. As for Morgan, he's a USI student and will be starting his career search in a few years. Even though he has a few tattoos, he says he's not worried about landing an interview or job.
"I don't have any that would be impossible to cover up. So I don't think, I'm definitely not the white collar kind of guy because I couldn't be stuck in an office, so I'm not too worried about that in a sense," Morgan said.
He says if a company rejects him because of his tattoos, he wasn't meant to be at that company.
"As long as you have something that's really nice and isn't derogatory, I don't see what the big deal is really," Morgan Clark said.
Tattoo artist Morgan Clark says in time, it will be more acceptable, but feels people should be judged by their talents and skills, not appearance.
Noble says some people will wear a big watch to cover a tattoo on their wrist. She says if you have too many piercings, some businesses will make you cover them with Band-aids.
Nick Morgan loves music and nature and is getting a tattoo to show his passions. He came to Earthborne Studios on Washington Avenue in Evansville.
"Like your body is kind of a canvas and you're just expressing past events and your taste in life," Nick Morgan said.
Not only is it a conversation starter, it's a form of expression. But sometimes that expression can hold you back from getting a job. Angela Noble works at HR Solutions, Inc. in Evansville. They work with hundreds of clients and help companies find good people who are looking for work. Noble says its important to put your best foot forward. She says if you have an interview, make sure you cover your tattoos. Some employers say if you're careless with yourself, you'll be careless with the business equipment and materials.
"Whether its the kind of clothes I wear, or things I put on my body, tattoos, or piercings, or anything like that, that's my right to do that because it's my body. But it's also my right as an employer to not hire you if that is something that I think would be a detriment to my business," Angela Noble said.
Noble says tattoo policies change from business to business. As for Morgan, he's a USI student and will be starting his career search in a few years. Even though he has a few tattoos, he says he's not worried about landing an interview or job.
"I don't have any that would be impossible to cover up. So I don't think, I'm definitely not the white collar kind of guy because I couldn't be stuck in an office, so I'm not too worried about that in a sense," Morgan said.
He says if a company rejects him because of his tattoos, he wasn't meant to be at that company.
"As long as you have something that's really nice and isn't derogatory, I don't see what the big deal is really," Morgan Clark said.
Tattoo artist Morgan Clark says in time, it will be more acceptable, but feels people should be judged by their talents and skills, not appearance.
Noble says some people will wear a big watch to cover a tattoo on their wrist. She says if you have too many piercings, some businesses will make you cover them with Band-aids.
