Why should employers care about body art as long as employees do everything they’re responsible for doing? Because tattoos and body piercings conger up stereotypical images in the mind of the average American consumer. Think of the money that goes into paid advertising every year. Every interaction between a company representative and a customer is an opportunity to deliver a live advertisement to that customer. Employers don’t want to take any chances by delivering the wrong impression; tattoos and body piercing tend to do just that.

Two other issues employers deal with frequently that fall under grooming codes are body piercing and tattoo art. It’s difficult because while one person may wear these unobjectionably, another may go beyond normal limits and create a terrible impression. To believe customers wouldn’t stereotype a person with tattoos or body piercing is idealistic thinking, as well as ignorant. Very often, radical body art is associated with rougher individuals that weren’t likely educated beyond high school. This is not to say it is true, only that stereotypes form as a result of seeing such body art. These are the truths employers face when operating a business.

Image Gatekeepers
Employees can and do bring plenty of wrongful termination cases to court that revolve around body piercings and tattoo art. Most of the time the issue favors the employer because the courts decided they are the gatekeepers of their own image. They are allowed to restrict whatever they believe is compromising their image.

A Reasonable Accommodation
Back in 2001, Costco was taken to court in a case that helped spell out the laws regarding dress codes in the workplace. Ultimately the case determined that if employers have restricted a certain type of body art, they are typically required to provide a reasonable accommodation to help conceal it. (e.g. a band-aid over an eye brow piercing, or a tattoo coverup sleeve over a tattoo).

Importance of an Employer’s Public Image
Fortunately courts recognize the importance of an employer’s public image. Now it’s time for employees to realize how important it is not to make issues out of tattoos and piercings. If the employer is trying to work with the employee to find a solution, then a middle ground isn’t too far off.

Learn more about tattoo perceptions in the workplace. Stop by the Tatjacket website where you can find out all about tattoo cover up products and what it they do for you.

Tags: Tattoos