Newsletter Issue #2

by Lisa Doll(Senior Executive Recruiter)

& Randi Borkan(Senior Staffing Specialist)

I’ve interviewed many candidates for positions that required strong client facing skills. Twenty years ago, it was rare to see people with facial tattoos and nose rings but now it is more acceptable. In the past, companies and industries had strict policies regarding body adornment.

It is now permissible for staff to have freedom of expression in a mutually reciprocal manner.  Just as the employee is respected, the employer also has the right to establish a policy that nose rings be removed, earrings should be reasonable lengths and arm tattoos be covered for high profile positions that interact with clients and other departments.

When interviewing candidates, we advise on such policies and defer to them whether this is a dealbreaker – to remove a nose ring or cover arms up that have tattoos in client facing roles.  If this is not acceptable for the candidate to adapt to the client’s policy, we work with candidate on other positions that don’t have these restrictions.

Forbes Magazine wrote about the changing trend: “For the past few decades, it’s likely that coffeehouse baristas and graphic designers would be adorned with tattoos or piercings, but now, it’s just as likely that the kindergarten teacher, bank manager, or real estate agent is sporting ink or a nose ring. Nearly half of 26-40-year-olds (40%) and 36% of 18-25-year-olds have tattoos, and 22% of 26-40-year-olds and 30% of 18-25-year-olds have at least one body piercing, according to the Pew Research Center.”

As a staffing agency, we find out from our client what their policy is which is then addressed with the candidate.  SHRM has an example of a company’s written policy that states [Company Name] allows reasonable self-expression through personal appearance, unless it conflicts with an employee’s ability to perform his or her job effectively or with his or her specific work environment, or it is regarded as offensive or harassing towards others.

It goes on to break down the policy:

Factors that management will consider when determining whether jewelry or tattoos pose a conflict with the employee’s job or work environment include:

• Personal safety of self or others, or damage to company property.
• Productivity or performance expectations.
• Offensiveness to co-workers, customers, vendors, or others in the workplace.
• Corporate or societal norms.
• Customer complaints.

Our company aims to respect both candidates and clients; we work with candidates based on their strengths for a job and the cultural fit to the client’s company.

What is your company’s policy and how do you handle these issues?

We at AV Staffing Solutions would like to hear about your concerns.

Interested in what others have to say on these issues? Check out these other articles below:

Can I Wear My Nose Ring to an Interview?

Jobs That Don’t Allow Nose Piercings

Your Guide to Tattoos in the Workplace

Tattoos in the Workplace: What Employers Care About

Sources included in this issue: SHRM.Org, work.chron.com, entirelooks.com, indeed.com and asvabprogram.com