A story of the Bizarre from the BBC:
Rebecca Holdcroft likes to “express” herself through body art. However, she felt she was being discriminated against at work and contacted the BBC News website to express her point of view.
Even though she does not deal with the public face-to-face, her latest employers told her she must wear a cardigan to conceal her tattoos. And in the hot weather, this can get unbearable, she says…..
She says it is discrimination – even though the Citizens Advice Bureau and a solicitor have both told her there is no law to protect her.
“There are other people in the office that have tattoos, but not to the same extent. They aren’t being told to cover up.
“I can’t afford not to have a job so at the moment I comply with what work are asking. Even so, I’m not the only one in the office who thinks it is ridiculous.”
“The point I am trying to make is it’s not criminal to have tattoos.”
You know, I don’t have any piercings or tats, but I don’t disagree with people that do, but this women…well, it’s pretty in your face I’d think. An interesting conundrum.
She’s right. It’s not criminal to have tattoos. Neither is it criminal for an employer to say we don’t want employees who have made the choice to look like that.
If you get tats that are exposed you have to expect that. I’m not saying that it is right for employers to do that but each privately owned company has a certain standard that they must uphold..
I don’t agree with a lot of what the company I work for enforces, but I know that if I don’t play the game I’ll have to find myself a new job.
That is why I want to own my own business and make my own rules. I think companies will get worse in the policy area:
http://www.wral.com/news/4126577/detail.html
Why? because they can.
Would you want a person with that many tatoos on the front desk of your business? The answer must be NO because first impressions count.