Got tattoos? Sorry, you're not allowed to work for us

Society still judges a book by its cover. You sound like a good hard working guy, but the majority of businesses are owned by the older generations who have negative connotations associated with tattoos. I know they probably think if they had guys with tattoos working on cars, they would probably scare some of the old retired generation from doing business with them. Tattoos are permanent. They're not like earrings or piercings where you can remove them when interviewing for a job. I agree with the tattoo owner's post. You really have to be aware of the consequences of where you place your tattoos.

If you are an employee of a company, you represent that company. Can you imagine a head waiter at a fine restaurant in tatoos, of course not. It's up to the company that you are applying to. It's their company. It's their image. It's their right. If you don't like it, don't let the door hit on the butt on your way out.

I think tattoos are cool at first but when I see them on faces and hands I think criminal. It's a stigma, why get tattoos? I was in the military and I have none because of that, I hope you get work. Hide your tattoos!
It is tough out there.

The COLOR of your skin should not bar you from work! Regardless of the job you are going for.

No matter what color the skin is. Be it blue, or black, or green, or yellow, or white, or red, or purple or pink or orange. The color of someone's skin should NEVER be the deciding factor.

Those who do judge those of different skin colors and especially those that bar them from their workplace, are completely ignorant. And not worth working for in the first place.

Inkism should be outlawed...

reply to post by MMPI2

What about your work history? Maybe you followed up, but why are you currently unemployed?

I wouldnt say I have an exceptional work history, but its never prevented me from attaining work before. Ive held a job since I was 14, so I've been working for 10 years now. I am currently unemployed because it really is that difficult finding work right now in my area. Honestly, if it comes down to hiring the kid that has 4 years warehouse experience, or the guy that has 27, who would you hire?

Are you potentially overqualified for this job? Are you shooting under your actual potential?

Totally not the case. This was a entry level position. I also don't have any schooling or any REAL training in a specialized field. Most of everything I have learned about shipping/receiving work (the area I seek work in the most) was learned on the job. Thankfully, Im a quick learner.

Are you sure that the dudes you interviewed with are being up front with you? Is there more to the story that you aren't aware of? Did they use the tattoo excuse to cover for something else...your loud uncontrolled flatulence during the interview, your junk hanging out of your pants, couple of bankruptcies, track marks running up and down your arms, etc...? Why do you have so many tattoos in places that are easily seen by others?

As is usually the case, Im sure there is more to the story than I'm aware of. I think the reason Im most upset is because I really thought these people were being genuine with me. I REALLY got the feeling that these people would value me as an employee. When employees feel important, they tend to work harder. Nothing makes someone work harder than knowing that their work is appreciated.

I guess the reason I got tattoos in places easily seen is because I HONESTLY believed that it would never be a issue. I truly thought that petty differences in appearance would not matter once you hit "the real world". I always believed that your work ethic and attitude, not your appearance, is what would endear you to employers.

Ignorance is bliss from what I hear

reply to post by downtown436


With all due respect (no pun)...what do tattoos have to do with respect?

Who is it that the person with the tattoo is disrespecting? Society? I think this is an archaic misconception that is still around to this day. I dont consider this job, or a job at a car wash respectable. At all. If they were respectable, you would hear little kids saying they wanted to work at car washes and oil change places, not be astronauts or explorers.

A respectable job is a nurse, mechanical engineer, or a steelworker. However, it was a job nonetheless, and if its the only thing available, it would be totally out of line for me to turn it down, knowing the responsibilities that come with having a family.

reply to post by wrkn4livn


Ive actually tried working at a tattoo shop. My drawing skills are very lacking unfortunately, but I sure can trace the hell out of a line

Originally posted by agent violet
The COLOR of your skin should not bar you from work! Regardless of the job you are going for.

No matter what color the skin is. Be it blue, or black, or green, or yellow, or white, or red, or purple or pink or orange. The color of someone's skin should NEVER be the deciding factor.

Those who do judge those of different skin colors and especially those that bar them from their workplace, are completely ignorant. And not worth working for in the first place.

edit on 1/24/2011 by agent violet because: spacing

I've always wanted to have my entire body covered with a single giant tattoo made with invisible ink.

I would, however, hesitate when the tattoo artist got down to inking in my junk. Maybe I could just leave that un-inked and I could be the incredible floating genitalia.

I don't know what kind of job I could get then, unless it was in some kind of fetish or sci-fi porn.

reply to post by kyleisboss


The majority of people don't get/understand tattoos. Companies want to make money, and offending the least amount of people along the way helps them make money. Is this really that hard to understand? When the majority of people have tattoos, companies will change - it's business.

Originally posted by ignorant_ape
reply to post by kyleisboss

 

and a swastika tattooed on my hands,

i would not employ you either - can you guess why ?

Read it again.... Please.... He said that he does NOT have Satan, a naked woman and a swastika....

He said he has, His daughters name, half a broken heart and the state of ohio tattooed... Seriously, be careful.... You jumped to a conclusion and clearly did not read the OP very well at all...

In other words, he DOESN'T have a swastika tattoo...

reply to post by MMPI2

Maybe I could just leave that un-inked and I could be the incredible floating genitalia.

That is a memorable line.

Incredible??? This is ATS, you must provide proof.

Floating, well maybe...

That sucks!

I can't believe an oil change shop won't hire someone with tats on their hands...who gives a damn? If you can fix cars, that is all that should matter.

I work in an office that allows pretty much everything - the dress code is "office casual". Meaning, blue jeans & tee-shirts. Shorts, hats and sports jerseys on Fridays. Also, tattoos & facial piercings are ok. If the attorneys came in to our office, the dress code would probably be a little different.

I got lucky finding this job, and I sure hope you get lucky finding work as well. Most people that I know that have been hired from, lets say, July of 2008 to the present, have pretty much got lucky.

I wish you luck, I know its rough out there. ( I was hired July 2009 and was turned down many jobs before I got this one.)

Originally posted by tjack
Well, you did say the tats are on your hands, and that Valvoline's policy requires tattoos to be covered at all times. How would you envision keeping tattoos on your hands covered on a job that requires the use of your hands? Maybe it was just the unfortunate location of the tats that lost the job for you.

Should have gone for the tramp stamp! (ha ha, just kidding)

edit on 24-1-2011 by tjack because: the reason MUST be filled out!

Mechanics's gloves???

Originally posted by downtown436
I don't hire people with tattoos that show, and I own a carwash. Sorry.

If you want a respectable job, prepare to look like a respectable person.

Who is the authority on what "respectable" is? And if you cannot respect someone who simply has tattoos you don't deserve respect either. I could just as easily say those who wear corn starched khakis and polo's should start dressing more respectable...see how ridiculous that is?

Here is a link to help describe my post in more detail. www.nolo.com...


If I gathered the info correctly, the OP is living in Ohio. I live in Ky and both states are at will states. For those that don't know what that means direct yourself to the link above. For a quick sum up....a company can fire you for absolutely any reason they want, minus a few legal issues. This also means that they can pass on you for what ever reason as well.

Now on to the ink. I am a big fan of tattoos, I have several on both arms, mostly hidden by a short sleeve shirt. I like you was on unemployment for 3 months. I worked for a company 10 years, was let go without warning for absolutely no reason, except they did the same to about 375 people nationwide on that day, part of that at will state thing. Was lucky to find a great job 3 months later that doesn't care at all about tattoos. The problem I have is if this is going to be the job i retire from? If i had it my way, i would have full sleeves. But most anyone who has tattoos know that ink on a body part that is fully exposed all the time is a commitment. A decision is made when you get ink on a lower arm, neck, face, hands, etc... I don't think it is a large secret that society as a whole is pretty biased, and as much as i would like to say, "F them" , it is the world we live in. Just because some t.v. shows like L A Ink or Miami Ink seem to mainstream tattoos to todays society, doesn't mean that they changed the worlds outlook. Again...I hope you find a job soon to take care of your family and yourself, but on the flip side of that coin.... make your stand...enjoy your ink and individuality, but realize you are now limited by your own decision.

Yeah it's sad to be judged by outward appearance...the whole book/cover thing. It maybe had to believe but it has gotten drastically better since I was a teenage punk rocker growing up in the 80's...fights daily. Do you live in a small town? Good luck man, feel for ya!

So your saying you CHOSE to put tattoos on yourself and now someone wont hire you because of them? You may think people with tattoos is cool but the general public does not and certainly corporate america does not either. If you are a rock star making millions of dollars tattoos are cool or if you actually work in a tattoo parlor. No where else. I dont blame the guy for not hiring you. I certainly would not want to portray that kind of image to my customers who I am trying to sell stuff to. Unless of course it was an appropriate job like a tattoo parlor.

I would immediately get the tattoos removed. If you can cover them that would be great.

I am guessing you have not worked for corporate america before? I work there, no tattoos...Everyone I know that makes serious money has no VISIBLE tattoos...Its just the way it is...Tattoos are worn by a certain crowd, at least that is what cooperate america thinks.

Let me give you another example. You color your hair bright pink and spike it 12 inches up and you try to work for a Mercedes Benz dealership. They would laugh you out the door. There is a time and place for radical expression and an up scale job is not it.

Originally posted by ignorant_ape
reply to post by kyleisboss

 

and a swastika tattooed on my hands,

i would not employ you either - can you guess why ?

r u aware he clearly said that WASNT what he had tattooed on his hand? WASNT!!

man why do people just pick the words out they want

reply to post by illusion987

There is a time and place for radical expression and an up scale job is not it.

It would be kinda hard to argue that working down in an oil pit at a valvoline drive-thru is an upscale job.