Opinion: are some TOC attitudes towards tattoos out of date

[pompeyfan]

A friend of mine has just got a job at his local TOC. He has a sleeve tattoo that covers his hand, and has been told that he’ll be expected to wear long sleeve shirts throughout the year, and cover his hand in make up/tattoo suppressor.

Personally I think this is outdated, I can understand offensive tattoos or tattoos that creep up towards the face not being suitable, but hands and arms seem harsh.

Are all TOCs as strict? Do people agree/disagree?

 

[Cavan]

People should think carefully before getting any tattoos that can't be concealed by normal clothing, many jobs are not happy with these.

 

[shredder1]

From my generations prospective 66 plus, I don`t feel tattoos portray a professional persona even though they appear to be very fashionable with the present generation, tattoos on the face and neck to me look appauling and in the 50`s and 60`s tattoos were assosiated with the criminal elements of society, these days however I see the police with tattoos. Would I employ someone in a customer facing role with tattoos, possibly not depending on the job role, definity not if I was employing a solicitor, for jobs like a train guard or TTI possibly, although they do reflect on company policy.

 

[MostlyHarmless]

I'm not a fan of them but I do understand that they are very popular today (my 19 year daughter has quite a few) - however I would choose where you have them very carefully and take into account what career path you want to take. In customer facing roles then I'd avoid any that can't easily be covered up e.g. face, hands, neck etc, because ultimately you could be refused a job if you don't, and I do know of a Police Officer who was almost sacked for getting a tattoo after he joined and didn't check with them first.

 

[Tom Quinne]

I’m sure he could challenge that policy if it is official policy, not some manager who just doesn’t like them.

It’s very difficult to discriminate these days against someone with non offensive tattoos.

I’d like fo hear the view if he’s undertaking safety critical work, but is forced to wear inappropriate clothes in extreme heat for example.

 

[shredder1]

Discrimination is one thing, proving it is something else of course and first impressions go a long way. One very useful tattoo is the one some people have under their watch straps, a blood group tattoo, some medics know to look for this in case of accidents.

 

[MostlyHarmless]

I’m sure he could challenge that policy if it is official policy, not some manager who just doesn’t like them.

It’s very difficult to discriminate these days against someone with non offensive tattoos.

I’d like fo hear the view if he’s undertaking safety critical work, but is forced to wear inappropriate clothes in extreme heat for example.

There's nothing to stop a company from not employing people with tattoos - as long as that is the only reason, (i.e. not gender, age, race etc.) but obviously it needs to be in company policy (usually as part of the dress code) otherwise they might leave themselves open to suggestions of unfairness. Lots of employers have rules governing how you can look and what you can wear etc and when you think about it, you have a choice a when it comes to having tattoos, certain hair styles and so on, but not about the colour of your skin or your gender.

 

[godfreycomplex]

A friend of mine has just got a job at his local TOC. He has a sleeve tattoo that covers his hand, and has been told that he’ll be expected to wear long sleeve shirts throughout the year, and cover his hand in make up/tattoo suppressor.

Personally I think this is outdated, I can understand offensive tattoos or tattoos that creep up towards the face not being suitable, but hands and arms seem harsh.

Are all TOCs as strict? Do people agree/disagree?

I agree, it’s very outdated and, to be blunt, someone can be done up to the nines in the exact model of the uniform catalogue and still be crap at their job, equally someone with a full face tattoo and stretched ears could be magnificent, it has no bearing whatsoever; and employers can’t be held responsible for people’s outdated perceptions. It is 2018 after all

 

[choochoochoo]

Discrimination is one thing, proving it is something else of course and first impressions go a long way. One very useful tattoo is the one some people have under their watch straps, a blood group tattoo, some medics know to look for this in case of accidents.

I don't wish to side track this thread, but I was told by a medic friend that they ignore any information you may carry about your blood group on your person, and have to test your blood group themselves before administering any sort of transfusion.

 

[Spankthemonkey]

I'm not a fan of them but I do understand that they are very popular today (my 19 year daughter has quite a few) - however I would choose where you have them very carefully and take into account what career path you want to take. In customer facing roles then I'd avoid any that can't easily be covered up e.g. face, hands, neck etc, because ultimately you could be refused a job if you don't, and I do know of a Police Officer who was almost sacked for getting a tattoo after he joined and didn't check with them first.

Really depends on the role. Tattoos on a rpi that some might find slightly intimidating might actually encourage people to cough up the fare!!

 

[AM9]

It is as much a right for someone to object to lifestyle choices like visible tatoos as it is for another to have them. Companies whose business involves public facing staff have every right to rule against such things that may impact directly on that business. Those who regret things that they wilfuly did to their appearance in the past can either:

a) pay to get them removed
b) get a job where such disfigurement is tolerated​

Those who still want to show them only have option b) available to them.
It's unfortunate that what will probably turn out to be a passing fad will disadvantage some for the rest of their lives.

 

[ComUtoR]

Out of date and antiquated.

We have more than a few Drivers with very visible tattoos. My TOC seem to be a bit ahead of the curve in this area.

On a more off topic and social note. I think that tattoos are more widely accepted than they have ever been; same with piercings. I think the negative connotations regarding tattoos have certainly moved on. With the social changes, business must also accept that change. I also see more and more people with tattoos than I ever did. I tend to people watch fair bit. The summer has bought its usual revealing side and I see tattoos everywhere. Ladies in full business attire often have cheeky tattoos on the ankle and I'm genuinely surprised how many calf tattoos there are out there. Tattoos have gone mainstream, ergo acceptable.

I have worked customer facing for most of my working life. You need to reflect your customer and humanize staff. I think that sanitizing your staff is more detrimental. I have found that in my experience that tattoos also create a talking point.

Those who wouldn't employ a person with a tattoo for a customer service role need to justify why a tattoo means that the person is incapable of performing that role. Would you employ a fat person for a customer facing role ?

 

[Johncleesefan]

In short, yes. Our policy has relaxed within the last few years and now only states “should” be covered up which can be read however you want.

This should be the norm as discrimination and equality play a huge part in today’s world and tocs don’t want to come under fire for discriminating. As it is, if they do their job then so be it. Offensive tats are a different matter though and people should think before getting them. I have a few as does most of my generation. It’s the norm now so accept it and move on.

 

[jdxn]

TOCs are well within their right as long as its in their policy to expect tats not to be visible. Personally i dont mind stuff on the arms but in the case of face/neck/hands many believe that shows a lack of judgement - not something you want from your safety critical transport worker. Maybe its wrong but if my oncologist turned up with a spider’s web on their neck and hands it wouldn't help my mental state

 

[47802]

Out of date and antiquated.

We have more than a few Drivers with very visible tattoos. My TOC seem to be a bit ahead of the curve in this area.

On a more off topic and social note. I think that tattoos are more widely accepted than they have ever been; same with piercings. I think the negative connotations regarding tattoos have certainly moved on. With the social changes, business must also accept that change. I also see more and more people with tattoos than I ever did. I tend to people watch fair bit. The summer has bought its usual revealing side and I see tattoos everywhere. Ladies in full business attire often have cheeky tattoos on the ankle and I'm genuinely surprised how many calf tattoos there are out there. Tattoos have gone mainstream, ergo acceptable.

I have worked customer facing for most of my working life. You need to reflect your customer and humanize staff. I think that sanitizing your staff is more detrimental. I have found that in my experience that tattoos also create a talking point.

Those who wouldn't employ a person with a tattoo for a customer service role need to justify why a tattoo means that the person is incapable of performing that role. Would you employ a fat person for a customer facing role ?

Interesting, Personally I don't like Tattoo's at all but I can see that viewpoint being increasingly out of date, on the other hand I don't like wearing Tie's and also think the concept is outdated probably as result of working for a Scandinavian company for many years where smart casual was the order of the day, but of course many companies in general still insist on ties for customer facing roles and office staff.

 

[Shrimper]

At my TOC we have drivers, guards, platform staff and I'm sure many other roles of both sexes who have full sleeve tattoos. All perfectly acceptable. Tattoos are mainstream now, and as long as the detail within it isn't in any way rude I don't think most employers have issue with them now.

Plenty of visible bee tattoos as well following last years events.

 

[Welly]

I know of an NHS worker who has a tattooed phrase on his arm that includes the work "F--K"!

 

[dilbertphil]

My last TOC and my present one both relaxed their view on tattoos that as long as they weren't offensive they had no problem with them being on display. Most TOCs I believe will follow shortly. Tattoos are mainstream and perfectly acceptable now.

 

[fowler9]

Not got a problem with tattoos myself, loads of people just have incredibly bad ones though. I find fake Triblal ones particularly annoying though. Ha ha. I remember an English fella on a travel forum asking where he could get an authentic Maori tattoo. Everyone told him he couldn't get an authentic Maori tattoo because he was from Manchester but it just wouldn't sink in. He has probably paid hundreds of quid in Auckland to be tattood with some random lines.

 

[whhistle]

It’s very difficult to discriminate these days against someone with non offensive tattoos.

It's not really discriminating though. Not in that sense anyway.
That's like saying someone in a wheelchair not being able to drive a train is discriminating.
A requirement of being a train driver is to be somewhat fit and healthy. So a requirement of "the job" with the TOC is that there's no visible tattoos.

...and when you think about it, you have a choice a when it comes to your gender.

Although that last one is considered a choice these days.


Younger people don't seem to care too much, but it's not the younger generation who run companies at the moment. Maybe when they're all dead and the current generation are running things, it'll be different.

I don't mind one or two but when it comes to full sleeves and such, I'm not a fan.
But then I don't understand tattoos and the facination of getting inked. Because it looks nice I hear you cry? Yes, so does the Mona Lisa but I don't see that on peoples bodies. Nice art belongs on walls, not bodies.
I get the feeing the majority of time, it's simple peer pressure that drives many tattoos.

Things move on though.
Just like the wearing of poppies around November. There was a tweet a few years back of someone asking why all the boys of One Direction are "wearing red flowers". Out with tradition and Rememberance, in with tattoos and smoking drugs!

You need to reflect your customer and humanize staff. I think that sanitizing your staff is more detrimental.

Just like British English... out with the old, in with the new Americanised version! :P

 

[ComUtoR]

Just like British English... out with the old, in with the new Americanized version! :P

Same pointless correction, different thread. Do you have a newsletter I could subscribe to instead ?

 

[MostlyHarmless]

Not got a problem with tattoos myself, loads of people just have incredibly bad ones though. I find fake Triblal ones particularly annoying though. Ha ha. I remember an English fella on a travel forum asking where he could get an authentic Maori tattoo. Everyone told him he couldn't get an authentic Maori tattoo because he was from Manchester but it just wouldn't sink in. He has probably paid hundreds of quid in Auckland to be tattood with some random lines.

I'm with you on this... however tattoos are very useful way of identifying someone. A local male who is well known to the Police where I live has a tattoo handily scrawled across his forehead!

 

[fowler9]

I'm with you on this... however tattoos are very useful way of identifying someone. A local male who is well known to the Police where I live has a tattoo handily scrawled across his forehead!

Yeah I am with you on that. Useful for the police and the bad guys of you inadvertantly end up with the wrong Maori or Russian prison tattoo. Ha ha.

 

[whhistle]

Same pointless correction, different thread. Do you have a newsletter I could subscribe to instead ?

Not really pointless.
Just sort your spell checker out to gain respect.
Or keep using American English and look like you can't spell.

 

[ComUtoR]

Not really pointless.
Just sort your spell checker out to gain respect.
Or keep using American English and look like you can't spell.

Or just dont let it bovver you.

I assume this forum welcomes international people, dyslexic, blind, and those whose english aint their first language or have an a level in english grammer.

 

[SA91]

Or just dont let it bovver you.

Haha, I see what you did there

 

[takno]

Not really pointless.
Just sort your spell checker out to gain respect.
Or keep using American English and look like you can't spell.

ize is perfectly good Oxford English and wasn't at all uncommon until the late 90s. You would know that if you depended on the OED, which is Britain's premier reference to spelling, rather than some spell-checker knocked together by a US tech company. Either way it is neither helpful nor on-topic to nit-pick over such a small thing