Abstract

Tattoo profiling is a way that people who prefer to display their artwork on their skin get judged for that exact reason. Tattoos are recommended to be very well thought out before having them permanently on the skin. Tattoos are known to affect way beyond just physical effects. Tattoos can impact those around you and can have social, professional, and even law impacts.  Not only is the placement of a tattoo extremely crucial, but also the meaning behind tattoos. Tattoos date back centuries so before getting permanently inked it is highly recommended by law officials and professionals alike to make the adequate research so the effects of individuality expression are not harming nor degrading. There have been many cases where in both ends the professional life and social life have been affected because of tattoos on the skin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many ways to express oneself whether it is by creative writing, campaigning, displaying art, and the list can go on and on. Many though, choose to express themselves by permanently marking their skin. Tattoos can have many impacts in the life of an individual some of the consequences can be physical and some can be social. Physical consequences include those of allergic reactions, infection due to infected needles that are penetrating in to the skin, scarring, some may even develop some kind of trauma due to seeing inked needles in their skin, and the most obvious consequence of all is pain cause by the tearing of the skin (Resenhoeft, 2008).

Tattooing is actually an ancient practice done way before than it become popular among today’s generations. In the newer generations, tattoos are becoming more acceptable, but tattoos especially in the workplace are still seen as unprofessional. Not only are those with tattoos seen as unprofessional, but sometimes are even rejected for a job opportunity for having tattoos (Foltz, 2014, pg. 589). People with tattoos are sometimes seen as criminals and cause fear, intimidation, distrust, and even anger in others. Whether it is because of religion, conservatism, or just having a clean skin, tattoos are not accepted 100% of the time. In fact, body modifications are more common among men than in women in terms of tattoos, but let’s say in terms of piercings it is the opposite (Braverman, 2012). Due to all of the ongoing debate of whether tattoos should be accepted and no longer frowned upon, extensive research has been made to help answer the following questions:

1. What is tattoo profiling?

2.How does tattoo profiling affect people trying to get a job or people who have encounters with the law?

3. What do employers think of potential employees who have tattoos?

4. In order to not be considered discrimination, how are people that already have tattoos not be profiled as criminals or unprofessional?

Answering these questions with the research done, for the purpose of this Literature Review, will give background information, provide knowledge on the subject of tattoo profiling, and bring light to the consequences of having tattoos in the workplace.

 

What is Tattoo Profiling?

            Prior to discussing the different points of view concerning tattoo profiling, we must first understand what tattoo profiling is in its entirety. Tattoo profiling is basically the act of generalizing the characteristics of a person because they have tattoos. Tattoos are in no way, shape or form a recent novelty. In fact, in ancient China, tattoos were used to classify certain groups of people such as criminals, slaves, and concubines (Reed, 2000). It is safe to say then, that tattoos may not come from the most positive background, but as society evolves and are becoming more acceptable, more and more people are getting tattoos. Tattoo profiling is seen in cases concerning the law, social cases, and in the workplace. The most common types of tattoo profiling involve criminal cases and professional cases. Tattoo profiling is usually more common on the older generations because they grew up in a much more conservative time. In fact it is said that not only are those with tattoos judged but they are seen as less attractive and do not inspire as much trust as someone without tattoos (Dean, 2010). Tattoo profiling will be greater depicted and seen in more active ways throughout the rest of the Literature Review. Most importantly though, specific instances and the thoughts of someone in the business world will be applied to further answer the other questions previously mentioned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2012, July 21). Retrieved November 9, 2015, from http://www.kcbob.com/2012/07/profiling-doctor-tattoo.html.

 

How does tattoo profiling affect people trying to get a job or people who have encounters with the law?

When speaking to the recruiter (who asked to maintain her name concealed, so the name of Janice will be used for easy reference) from a prestigious company in Arizona, she said that she does not base her choice of giving someone an interview or actually giving them the job on whether they have tattoos or not. She specified, that it is preferable they are somewhat concealed or not gang related in any way because the company tries to keep a professional image (personal communication, 2015). Professional appearance is also touched on the NASW Code of Ethics, it is stated that employees must “demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior and appearance” (2008). Tattoo profiling is not only seen in the professional environment, though, it is also largely noticed in cases dealing with the law. In the research that was done in order to be able to answer the initial questions, a video where Los Angeles Police Department is seen to be clearly profiling two individuals due to the fact that both the driver and co-pilot have tattoos. It becomes a case concerning tattoo profiling when she clearly calls them gangsters because they have tattoos. The male, who is the driver in the scenario, says that the tattoo on his arm is his son’s name, so how exactly is that gang related? It really is not, but due to the personal opinion of the police officer on tattoos they are sketchy and can be searched for any criminal evidence (Police State USA, 2013). There was an article in the Chicago Sun Times of another incident of a police officer and Punk Rock music enthusiastic, where the police officer was undercover and trying to find anarchists. She approached him because she had seen a tattoo of Emiliano Zapata, who was known to be a Mexican revolutionist during the Mexican Revolution. Again because of a tattoo he was profiled as an anarchist and as a potential threat of wanting to overthrow the government. In reality though Ian Wise, the man with the Zapata tattoo, even would have like to enlist in the US army, but was not able to due to health issues (Brown, 2014). Tattoo profiling is not only a discomfort, but as seen in some of these cases can be a main cause for signaling someone incorrectly and also as a sign of abuse of authority.

 

What do employers think of potential employees who have tattoos?

Referring once again to the interview conducted on the point of view of a recruiter in the business field, tattoos don’t “scare” her. In fact, she mentioned that within her workplace there are those who are great workers and are as professional as can be and have tattoos. Along with that, she added that sometimes when older businessmen have interaction with them they are treated somewhat differently (Personal communication, 2015).

Tattoos can have a different impact depending on where the hiring is taking place. For example, in the restaurant industry, managers hire more people without tattoos or at least tattoos that are hidden. Unlike in the restaurant industry, in retail customers often opt for the salesperson with tattoos because it is a similarity they have with them, thus lends itself to break the ice (Foltz, 2014, pg. 592). In a more professional environment, such as in white-collar jobs, a study was made among undergraduate students, and the results showed that “accounting students did not find exposed tattoos to be appropriate when they were located on a tax service provider (Dean, 2011). The same study conducted by Dean, showed that in the business world, finance to be exact, consumers find tattoos that are exposed to be a sign of the financial advisor or whatever the case may be to be, “inappropriate and indicative of a person’s impulsiveness and unprofessionalism. In contrary once again, if a completely different field is chosen such auto mechanics or even bartending, tattoos are encouraged because it shows either artistic ability or can again be seen as an attractive aspect (Dean, 2010).

For many companies tattoo exposure depends on whether you will be face to face with a customer or not, Fed Ex Corporation is actually an example to that (Pyrillis, 2010). On the other hand many companies will not precisely worry whether tattoos are exposed or not as long as they are not offensive in any way, again to keep a professional image (Pyrillis, 2010). In a case involving the hiring of a potential employee, a police officer had the potential employee’s tattoos reviewed and the individual filed a suit under the equal protection clause (Scavone v. Pennsylvania State Police, 2012).

During the interview conducted, Janice said, “Tattoos are not what decides if someone gets hired or not, what decides if they are hired is how they present themselves. Having said that though, if someone has a tattoo on their face per say, it is not an image we want to give our costumers because whether we like it or not, all the customer will be looking at is the facial tattoo”(personal communication, 2015). Therefore, placement of tattoos and the meaning behind a tattoo also has to do a lot with the hiring of a potential employee. One of the reasons that meaning is so crucial because in fact certain tattoos can have a gang-related meanings and therefore can portray a certain image not only of the employee, but of the company as a whole.

During the interview, Janice, spoke of an incident where as a recruiter she encountered a man who had a teardrop tattoo on his face. Legend says that a teardrop tattoo on the corner of the face means they once killed someone. Once training began for this particular individual, Janice said, the trainers contacted her and others who were involved in the hiring to ask if he had passed his background check. The new employee had mentioned his tattoo had been acquired as he was in prison, which is where the background check question came from. Once confirmed that the background check had been done and approved, the trainers searched for even the most minimal mistake to terminate him (personal communication, 2015). This particular case is not the only one Janice has witnessed when it comes to tattoos and a professional image, but it is a very current one.

 

In order to not be considered discrimination, how are people that already have tattoos not be profiled as criminals or unprofessional?

            Through the research already conducted, tattoo profiling is largely based on personal opinion. There are several ways in order to not be profiled by the ink on the skin. The simplest way is to simply not get any tattoos, but if tattoos are already present then one way is to conceal them. As mentioned previously, it is usually the older generations that see tattoos as a truly negative thing. The younger generations are more accepting, but since it will usually be older folks making the hiring decisions, many encourage them to hold of on tattoos (Foltz, 2014). If tattoo profiling is taken to the point where life or freedom is put in danger like in cases involving the law or better yet abuse of law, then that is when suits can be filled. In all it is not precisely clear as to someone who already has tattoos can prevent tattoo profiling as a whole.

 

Conclusion

            In conclusion and after much research on the topic of tattoo profiling, many questions that arose in this Literature Review, it is safe to say that most questions were answered, but some were not. The most well developed answer was that which answered the question dealing with employers and their thought on potential employees with tattoos. Meanwhile, the most underdeveloped answer was that which was meant to answer the question dealing with how someone with tattoos can avoid being profiled.

            Tattoo profiling is an ongoing dilemma that depending on your career, religion, or level of conservatism will determine your personal view on it. Tattoos for many are a sign of being untrustworthy or unprofessional and for others it is seen as a way to express individuality. Age will be another factor that usually influences how a specific individual feels about tattoos. As of now, tattoos can have a greater impact than just physical modifications. Tattoos can have an impact on social life, personal life, and professional life. The meaning of a tattoo can either open or close doors when it comes to the professional aspect of it. On the other hand, tattoos can bring individuals hardships when encountering the law. In general, tattoos are not seen as the most professional image being portrayed, but are becoming more mainstream and common amongst future professionals. The acceptance of tattoos will vary greatly; therefore tattoo profiling is more of a personal aspect and whether one chooses to practice it.