The implication that someone’s dress code and appearance has on a work opportunity is one that has always been a point of concern for most people. There has been a need to prove if the appearance can affect someone’s chances of getting a job. People should not be allowed to “judge a book by its cover,” however, when it comes to employment opportunities, the grooming of the potential candidate has to be considered because of the representation of the company’s image. A report presentation by the National Association of College and Educators (2016), reveals that grooming and appearance have about 73% influence on a candidate’s chances of getting a job after an interview. Cavico et al., (2013) stress that the implications of one’s appearance being job-related are a cultural norm that has been set by a societal standard.
The appearance of a potential worker has a strong influence on the judgment received from the employer because it is believed that it will also affect the perception of the customer (Cavico et al., 2013). This logic can, however, be challenged, particularly regarding the tattooed plight. I feel that it is unfair for potential employers to hesitate on hiring tattooed staff because they cannot be covered up. The CV of this type of employee may be exemplary, however, I understand that visible tattoos may sometimes evoke mixed feelings that may be disadvantageous to the bearer.
The judgment towards tattoos is unfair because the potential employer needs to focus more on the individual’s brilliant insight instead worrying about the physical differences, which may not be of any benefit to the organization. It is unfortunate that declining to offer a tattooed person a job is right that the employer has because it could hold a potential offense to the firm’s customers and might also be against the dress code policy (Hart, 2014). People need to change their old-fashioned opinions in regard to tattoos because these personal adornments have no substantial risk to the organizational goals. The employer can always place the worker in a favorable place if customers express their dissatisfaction with the tattooed workers. In so doing, the firm will not lose out on a brilliant mind because of the judgment of a few.
References
Cavico, F.J., Muffler, S. C., Mujtaba, B. G. (2013) "Appearance discrimination in employment: Legal and ethical implications of “lookism” and “lookphobia”", Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, Vol. 32 Iss: 1, pp.83 - 119
Hart, L. (2014). Are Tattoos a Stain on your Job Prosperity and Career? The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/careers/careers-blog/tattoos-workplace-job-prospects- career
National Association of College and Educators. (2016). Employers Rate the Importance of Physical Appearance for Job Candidates in a Study. Retrieved from http://www.marketinghire.com/archives/employers-rate-importance-of-physical- appearance.html
