Taboo around the tattoo
Dress code policies have swung to the extreme in recent years. Companies either maintain no guidelines at all or establish such rigid policies that they almost appear to be a joke. For example UBS bank’s edict of over a decade ago, that women “may wear no more than seven jewels” and “scarves are compulsory, and must be tied with ‘authorized knots.”
In an age, where employees cannot discriminate on race or gender, but can enforce strict appearance policies, where do tattoos, considered by many people to be an art form of bodily self expression, stand?
The hospitality industry is one that is divided into tolerance and taboo. An upscale hotel may require its frontline service staff to maintain a clean appearance, whilst allowing tattoos for employees in non-guest contact areas, like in the kitchen.
Earlier this June, Virgin Atlantic revoked its ban on cabin crew revealing their tattoos – becoming the first airline to do so. And now, a hotel chain – Germany’s Ruby Hotels, which operates 16 properties across Europe including London, is offering new recruits up to Euro 500 ($511) to get a new tattoo, piecing or haircut once they pass their probationary six months period with the company. If a current employee helps recruits someone new, both are entitled to the tattoo money.
And less than a month after the plan began in June, applications to work with the brand have already increased by 25% “Given the staff shortage in the hotel industry across Europe, this is a very satisfactory result,” said Ruby’s vice president of human resources Utah Scheuer, who whilst overseeing the campaign, got herself tattooed as well.
No doubt this is a creative approach towards overcoming the challenges of recruitment faced by the industry; however, it may be prudent to hit the ‘pause’ button before rushing down this path. Employees should bear in mind that getting tattooed is a permanent fix, whilst support from employers could be temporary. Recruiters could change their minds on tattoos later on, especially when the trend goes out of fashion - as has happened in the past.
The sensible thing then is to be discreet around tattoo placement, i.e. limiting visibility, thus avoiding losing out on future opportunities that may enhance career prospects.
According to CareerBuilder.com, a majority of HR managers when asked confessed that all things being equal, they will hire the cleaner cut employees. In fact, piercings (37%) are at the top of the physical attribute list that may limit an employee’s career potential, followed by bad breath (34%) and visible tattoos (31%).
Facial tattoos, piercings, lip rings may create a trendy image but it is unlikely to sync well with the brand and image most companies wish to portray.
Shafeek Wahab – Editor, Hospitality Sri Lanka, Consultant, Trainer, Ex-Hotelier
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