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Drawing a line on body art
A. new generation is most definitely marching into today's workforce, says Capital Region business consultant Sarah Gibson. And a handful of them are sporting body art that some may -- and some may not -- be comfortable with. Since piercings and tattoos aren't legally protected -- and because more often than not, they're free of religious or racial expressions -- a company can create a policy if need be, according to Gibson, president of Accent Business Communication in Stoughton. Gibson said piercings and tattoos are frequently showing up inside the workplace. Many experts argue that various older generations of workers differentiated themselves from one another through dress and hairstyle, she said. In today's world, Gibson said, a 50-year-old mom, for example, is dressing more similarly to her 16-year-old daughter. "So, to counter the similarities, the youngest generation -- the Millennials -- have turned to piercings and tattoos to separate themselves from older generations ... knowing the older generation won't be copying their unique form of self-expression," Gibson observed. "Conservative statistics claim that 25 percent of 18- to 50-year-olds have tattoos, many of which are visible," said Gibson, explaining that it seems tattoos aren't just popular with the Millennials, but also with individuals considered a part of Generation X or "younger" Boomers. If body art is a concern in the workplace, Gibson recommended asking yourself three questions before updating the dress code: • Does it matter if employees have a tattoo or a piercing beyond just your opinion? • Does it affect their ability to do the job? • Does the body art affect the public image of the company? "If you've answered no to these questions, you are simply dealing with a generational difference that may be confusing or frustrating," Gibson advised. "But it's not something that is affecting your bottom line, so you should just admire (or squirm) and move on." However, if you've honestly answered yes to any of the above questions, it may be time to construct a new policy. When doing this, Gibson said, be sure to: • Base the policy on business reasons (like complying with health or safety issues); • Be specific about the types, kinds and locations of body art that's allowed; • State what's inappropriate and the consequences of violating the policy; • Apply that policy consistently. "Whatever your company decides, don't expect the younger generation to simply comply with how you understand the business world," Gibson said. "The Millennials have arrived and are making their mark, very visibly, on our workplaces." madison.com ©2009 Capital Newspapers. All rights reserved. |
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