Vocal Voices

Acas, the conciliation service, says that outdated views about tattoos mean that companies are missing out on top talent. It says businesses have a smaller pool of people to employ. That, of course, can work the other way with people with tattoos having a smaller pool of employers willing to take them on.

I do not have strong views on tattoos in general, but I often find that those with them do not usually fall in the 'top talent' bracket, especially those who keep having them done into later life, so I wonder where Acas got its evidence from for that claim.

On the other hand I know many bright people who, in a moment of madness, had a forearm tattoo done when they were in their teens. Many of those now keep them covered when at work or in polite company.

A persons body is their body and, within reason, they are free to do with it what they want, but it is not for Acas and their likes to drive an acceptance agenda on those who do not like what they see.

The real story is the opposite from what Acas is saying, but to put up "Those with tattoos have a smaller pool of employers willing to take them on" is so politically incorrect it would never be allowed.

My pet hate WM my dil has loads lucky she has to wear a uniform at work in a pharmacy when dealing with the public because when she goes out she looks a mess
Skulls and stuff on their legs shoulders ugh
I'm not saying she isent intelligent she is it has a far reaching effect as her teenage children say she looks a mess when on holiday
My son had stupid tattoos on his arms as a teenager and now is having lasser t rd payment to have them removed very expensive
I think it does effect ones chance of employment if they are on the face neck in my opinion

Of course, people are free to do what they like with their own bodies, providing they do not
cause offence. Whether their chances of employment could be affected would depend on the
personal views of the interviewer, and I must admit that when I was a Personnel Manager in
industry, I might probably have been adversely affected by some of the rather extreme forms
of tattooing that I have seen of late.

My thoughts exactly aggers

I will not lie - I absolutely HATE tattoos and can never understand why young people mutilate their bodies in this way. They say they are being individual but in fact they are just following another crowd.

My take is this.

People are free to do what they want with their body.

But also other people are free to dislike it.

If you go for a job and the predominant view of the company executive is that prominent tattoos are not the image of the company, then you have restricted your job options.

It's their right too.

Think before you drink before you tattoo is my motto... I'm totally neutral on them. #2 daughter has one down her whole leg. Personally I think it's quite tasteful but then she runs her own business so it's not an issue.

But you won't find one on me.

Osc wrote:I will not lie - I absolutely HATE tattoos and can never understand why young people mutilate their bodies in this way. They say they are being individual but in fact they are just following another crowd.

I feel the same xx

I've listened to people covered in tattoos and piercings and listened to them saying "I'm in control of my body". I listen to this and think "It's amazing what people can delude themselves into".

I'm in control of my body, nobody else has put a mark on it outside of accidents. When I see this bilge on the TV I just think "all evidence to the contrary".

However, whatever keeps them happy. It's like the old adage about arguing with an idiot.

I'm not keen on them. Some young men "have their sleeve done" which means tattooing a whole arm. Half the time it just looks like a big blue mess.

I really dislike piercings though, especially that insert they have done to make their ear lobes bigger; that's just horrible, it's like self mutilation.

cromwell wrote:I really dislike piercings though, especially that insert they have done to make their ear lobes bigger; that's just horrible, it's like self mutilation.

I have a nephew with one of those. It started as 5p size and is now 50p.

So I asked him what happens one day when he gets tired of, it like last year's trainers, and if a fix was available? I mentioned the very expensive and painful removal of tattoos later in life.

I might as well have been talking to the wall.