I live in a conservative part of the country. I also service mostly higher end properties. This combination means that I am only aware of 3% of my clients having tattoos. Tattoos and earrings are likely thought of as not classy, and for thugs and criminals. Despite my personal feelings, this is likely how my clients look at people that have this look.
As you're aware, people that apply for jobs in the service industry are generally covered in tattoos and piercings. What are your personal feelings considering the above observation about hiring employees with full sleeves of tattoos? Would it be out of line to require them to wear long sleeved shirts? I would also require them not to wear earrings on the job. Should I avoid hiring people with this look all together? I don't want trust issues to come up with my clients despite my trusting them.
I appreciate any input.
To give you an idea from someone who does have tattoos and also operates a business. My whole body is tattooed from my shoulders down to my feet.
Now let's sum this sum. Some see nothing wrong with tattoos. Some think tattoos are for "criminals." Many will call me a criminal, many will call me a convict, many will call me a bad person. But in reality, my way of seeing it, I've never broken a law. I was sentenced 10 years for shooting a man for stepping on my property in the middle of the night. To harm my children who were asleep, to steal my property, the reason is still unknown. With that said, I've never stolen a thing, I've never committed adultery, I've never robbed anyone, I don't drink and drive, I don't use drugs, I don't smoke marijuana, I don't even smoke cigarettes for that matter. But some would judge me and say I "look like a criminal" because I got tattoos all over my body in boredom in my ten years of incarceration, for protecting my family, my property, and my belongings.
My beliefs behind the tattoos. Never judge a book by its cover. While some people with tattoos may be criminals. All of us aren't crooks. Some of us were raised in church, some of us made mistakes, just like everyone else has. Heck, I know some guys tattoos for that matter that are tatted from head to toe right now, that will be up at 4 a.m. in the morning digging holes or swinging an aggie in the field until the blisters fill their hands with blood, and will happily outwork any man you may know. Again, just because a man has tattoos is no excuse not to hire him in my books. Just because someone was in prison is no reason to not hire them. Do you know how hard it is to find a good help now days? Has the thought ever crossed your mind if you hire a changed convict, your hiring someone who has been trained to work harder than the average man, your hiring a man that was trained to be awake booted up and ready to work before the sun comes up. God said never judge another man. That's not for us to judge someone. Leave that up to the man up stairs.
As far as image in a business since. As I said, I personally see nothing wrong with people with tattoos obviously. But I also come from a business oriented family, so I still have a little bit of sense to me, even after ten years. You have to remember, just because were not suppose to judge, don't mean many people follow this rule of god. Many customers will judge, many will not. All you can do is prepare for it, implement a strategy, like suggested above. A dress code. Also remember you are working around others properties. While some people see nothing wrong with tattoos, we have to respect everyone's opinion, especially those opinions of our customers. Tattoos can open up a can of worms with people who don't like them, especially when you are working around their property. I never let my tattoos show, even if it means buttoning up my shirt to the very last button, I don't let customers see that. Not only is it about just protecting your image from those that are quick to judge, it can be a liability. Implement a dress code and don't let it be known it's to "hide tattoos." It can be worded otherwise in the company policy. Let them know some numbers or figures for skin cancer. It only makes sense to wear long sleeves down here when temperatures sore over 105. Sure it gets hot, but it keeps the sun from scorching your skin. Also it feels much better when a rock fly's up and hits you with a long sleeve, versus bare skin.
