Tattoo taboo — 67% of employers wary of candidates with excessive tattoos

Thinking of getting a new tattoo? Then you might want to think again after a survey of employers found visible body ink was likely to lead to rejection of job candidates.

A survey of 2,412 employers by employment law consultancy, Peninsula Ireland, found that 73% of employers were unlikely to employ someone who had excessive tattoos.

The survey also showed 67% of those questioned would voice concern at employees who turned in to work with tattoos.

At a time when almost everyone seems to have body art of one description or the other, it might seem strange that employers are adopting an oppositional stance to tattoos.

Alan Price, managing director of Peninsula Ireland, said candidates attending an interview with tattoos would be best advised to cover them up. “If you are going for the job you’ve always dreamed of then cover the tattoo,” he said.

“Sadly while many bosses accept tattoos there is still a taboo associated.

He added: “You also need to remember that a lot of businesses are client facing, so employers are conscious of the image that staff portray about their business.

“While there is no evidence that suggests employees with tattoos will work any less than their counterparts, it must be stressed that bosses will only be able to take action against an individual with tattoos providing it is within terms and conditions of employment even then the wording needs to be watertight.”

He said intolerance towards tattoos was often “from the older generation of employers”, adding: “Employers are entitled to ban tattoos if it makes business sense and providing they tell you, then you may well be limited with what you can and cannot do. An employer should not be able to discriminate against anyone with tattoos especially if there is no specific legal wording within the job advert or description.

“However despite best efforts having tattoos may well still deter many employers, it may well be the case that if you are applying for a client facing position you should check with the organisation prior to enquire whether there are any rules in place for those with tattoos.”