TATTOO discrimination...?

Question

I am sick of this c**p. I went to a job interview the other day, was great at first, the woman loved me... Said I sounded great for the position... Then she saw my tattoos and yelped! "OH you have tattoos?" In a really disappointing voice. She then tells me she finds them trashy and MUTILATING!" You can imagine how taken aback I am now because of one of the best interviews I have had DEAD stopped because of this. I tried to be polite and hold my tongue, I mean, afterall, I need a JOB! Now she goes from almost hiring me on the spot to, " we will seriously consider you".... If she doesn't hire me, can I do anything about discrimination? And by the way... This isnt some suit and tie job, this is a friggin dog kennel!!!

Answer 1

I really don't think so.you can ask the labor board.Once i was a housekeeper and i wanted to move to front desk, but they said no because i have a gold.and yes that was discrimination but there was nothing i could do.

Answer 2

You know, I personally don't like tattoos but she had no right to voice her personal opinion about your tattoos.That was very unprofessional of her and even if you don't get a call, I'd report her for that because she could cost that business alot of lawsuits that they'd care to have. How rude!Pat yourself on the back because my husband has alot of tattoos and had that been him,he would have had her in tears when he left the building job or not.

Answer 3

Ask her if you can wear something to cover the tatts. Most places will hire you if you do not show them.

Answer 4

That lady sounds like a b*tch anyway. Yeah that really does sound like discrimination. But I don't know what to do in that situation.

Answer 5

since u didnt get the job u cant do anything, like if u actually worked for them then u can do something about it...but you'd think that a dog kennel wouldnt mind how f'd up..i probably would have said **** to her..but everyone now a days has tattoos..time to get a new tat that says " f*** off"

Answer 6

Don't even worry about her! Do you honestly want to work in a place where you will have to worry about whether or not people will look down on you? No way!

There are so many jobs out there! There are tons of jobs with employers who aren't completely old fashioned.

I guarantee that you will find a job elsewhere, that will not be bothered by your beautification!  

Answer 7

Lmao.that's funny,because im always telling my cousin that she won't get a job because of the amount of tatooes she has. Yes, you can sue your potential boss for discrimination,but you'll have to have proof,and that's your word against hers.a she said, he said kind of thing.I believe that people discriminate against others with tats because it makes them seem irresponsible and nasty. If you've never heard the song "I am not my hair" by india irie,you need to listen to it.its just the way the world is.people not hiring you for your tats, is like why people don't hire black men with dreads.  

Answer 8

yia thats discriminatin man cuz my uncle wrks as a school bus driver n hes got tattoos all on his arm n a eyebrow ring but they hired him cuz he was good 4 the job, what sum1 looks like cant affect what kind of job they have.....

Answer 9

Many people still don't like tattoos. So unless you feel like getting rid of them, keep looking for someplace that will hire you. It is totally legal to discriminate based on looks, there is no way to prove is so it isn't prosecutable. So she can hire whomever she wants, and tattoos are a nog go for her. Good luck in your search.  

Answer 10

Most jobs have a dress code or want to project a certain appearance.  If she hired you and then fired you because of the tattoos that would be one thing, but there's really no way to prove that you didn't get a job because of it.  So there's not much you can do.  You had to know that things like this would happen before getting it.

Just because they're a dog kennel doesn't mean they don't want to project a "professional" image.

Answer 11

i think its c**p.  its the same thing as not hiring a person based on their gender or race.  they only problem they had with you was your appearance.  its stupid.  however, you are kind of dumb for not covering your tattoos for a job interview.  

Answer 12

I have this problem- it sucks!! if the company dress policy expressly forbids visible tattoos of any kind then its not discrimination unfortunately, but a job requirement like 3 gcse's! i found this out myself- but if not then yes it is!! if somewhere doesn't have a policy forbidding them its unfair not to hire you just for that reason, however proving that was the only reason can be really hard. they'll make up some bulls**t about not suitable for the role, better qualified candidate, not enough experience in this field... i've heard them all!!

Answer 13

No it is NOT discrimination.  You were not born with tattoos.  If I showed up for an interview wearing trashy jeans and unruly hair I would have received the same treatment.   You chose to get tattooed knowing full well how people would react to them.  

Answer 14

d**n, I can understand if you were interviewing for some high-end restaurant gig, but a dog kennel, God.  Tattoos aren't THAT big of a deal.  I mean unless you're covered with profanity and tons of naked chicks, then I don't understand what harm a tattoo can do.  You can't judge a person by whats on their skin, especially if they have all the other credentials.  

I'm not sure if you can do anything actually do anything if she doesn't hire you.  She can make up some c**p excuse about how she 'didn't feel you were right for the job'.  There's tons of excuses, and you really can't defend yourself, unless she specifically said: 'I can't hire you because you have tattoos' and if the add didn't say anything about tattoos being a problem, then you can do something about it.  Otherwise, the odds are against you.  Wow, I'm sorry man, that sucks.

Answer 15

Wow, that sucks :(  I don't think you can do anything about it.  But honestly, I wouldn't want to work there if she's going to judge you based on your tattoos.

Answer 16

wow what a fricken ******!! omg idk if u can do anything but really for every job interview cover them up and then show em after u get hired.....

Answer 17

now thats why i wont get a tattoo... =/

Answer 18

You should have thought of this before you got the tats.  They look unprofessional, and some are offensive.  It's not job discrimination, as I'm sure they have a strict dress code, specifically pointing out that all tats must be covered.  

Answer 19

yeah youll get that, a lot. many people are very closed minded about many things you constantly have to prove yourself under scrutiny. thats life, you understood this when you got tattood of course didnt you

Answer 20

Well I guess you could sue, but what proof would you have other than your assumption that that was the reason? They can always just say that you're bitter and that they found someone better suited to the job. Plus you'd have to hire a lawyer and you probably wouldn't get anything out of it. It's unfortunate, but you just have to move on. It's sad, but that's a risk you take when you get visible tattoos. You just have to find another interview and hope that the next person is more accepting.  

Answer 21

Check it I am covered sleeves and all, when people tell me about their views I tell them mine.  When this happens at a job interview, simply tell them, my art will not effect my work skills or hinder my performance in any way" be polite,  if they then proceed to continue to tell you how disgusting they are, then you reply, "does the BBB know your discriminate against free expression, I mean, I don't sit here and tell you your shirt is hideous just because I don't like it, so you shouldn't judge me on my art" when walk out and contact a lawyer, hello, discrimination and unfair employment practices.  FV(k then all...... freedom to tattoo.......

Answer 22

It's not illegal, unless you can show that your artwork is somehow has a religious perspective that is required by your religion.   Unlike age, race, gender, etc., you chose to get the tattoos...so they aren't a protected issue.

As others have said, either narrow your employment interests to employers who frequently hire more expressive employees, or keep them covered during interviews.  However, be aware that an employer can still, upon hiring you, require you to cover them if they choose.  Some customers, like it or not, don't like tats, piercings, etc. and a business owner has the legal right to ask for your accommodation if its in the interests of the business.

Answer 23

That is discrimination, but unfortunately, there are no laws protecting people against it.  

Just take this as a lesson and next interview, wear long sleeves, and keep all tattoos covered.  Once you're hired, then let your tattoos be shown.  Your employer can't do anything after that.. but if they do fire you, you will have been wrongfully terminated. And there ARE laws against that.

Answer 24

I first would find out if there is some kind of dress code,if their is not...id go to her boss or report the place it is discrimination,if their is a posted code then you really cant do anything but it not fight for it,she cant just say that it was very unprofessional of her to say that.And it was really good you did not say anything rude back..But you should check out the place and see what its polices are.I have had my own problems with my tattoos,i know its my choice to get them and i have to deal with things like this..But if its unfair like this..O,believe i going to speak up...

Answer 25

The problem with trying to prove the person discriminated is if they are confronted by anyone, they can just say someone else was more qualified or give some other justification for not hiring you.