Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/357188
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 3 AUGUST 2014 14 News Has fashionable ink broken employers' taboos on tattoos? Despite becoming increasingly popular, tattoos are still considered a hindrance to landing gainful employment. RACHEL AGIUS explores whether that taboo still holds WITH summer in full swing and more skin on show, it is easy to see how the popularity of tattoos has grown from a niche, often feared sig- nifier of criminal activity to a much more accepted art form; a permanent body modification, frequently on show. A 2013 study shows that 36% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 have at least one tattoo and 40% of those between 26 and 40 do too. There are no reliable local statis- tics but a cursory web search shows that as of last month, almost 5,500 Maltese people clicked 'Like' on a Fa- cebook page entitled 'Tattoo accept- ance in the workplace'. That criminal association, however, is hard to eliminate. The prevalent attitude now is not that the bearer of tattoos is associated with crime but that they would struggle to find re- spectable employment, a fate perhaps as equally undesirable as a criminal record. One can argue that the intent behind tattoos has changed over the years. In the past, a tattooed person was con- sidered an outsider to society, a mem- ber of a group no one would opt to be part of who considered a tattoo as ta- boo, but which members themselves embrace as an act of rebellion. A tat- too was a visible acceptance of a past, and perhaps a present, that already set that person apart from others and that person was just fine with falling outside the lines of convention. Being tattooed now has become a ticket into a much more accept- able, much less frowned upon club. Some celebrities sport extensive tat- toos. Television shows have exposed a space not many have seen before – the inside of a tattoo studio – and have gone a long way in educating the public what a professional tattoo art- ist and studio should look like. So it is safe to say that tattoos have broken out of their previous reputation and mostly done away with their auto- matic association with criminality. The issue of employment, though, remains a complex one. The growth of the IT and creative industries, which often pride themselves in having a more liberal-minded work environ- ment, have done much to counter the idea that people with visible tattoos could kiss a fulfilling career goodbye. Sarah, a graphic designer, has never had any problems because of her visible tattoos, a number of which adorn her lower arms. "I work in an artistic field, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that I would want art on my body," she says. She does admit that she has never sat for a job interview with tattoos exposed – the more vis- ible ones came later, when she already had her present job. Similarly, Anna has had few issues with her employer. She too works as a designer and says that during inter- views, she prefers to cover her ink. "Better safe than sorry," she says. A significant number of her col- leagues have visible tattoos, so she is not singled out because of that, al- though in the past clients have passed comments, mostly out of curiosity. "I have had more job related problems because of my changing hair colour," Anna admits. Interviews seem to be the major hurdle and perhaps not unfairly. An interviewer or recruiter is looking for the best person for the job and it is no secret that some customers or clients still hold a deep-seated preju- dice against those who have tattoos. A big colourful piece might impact client relations, something any busi- ness wants to avoid. Roles requiring client interaction are the ones where visible tattoos are still a no-go. Josianne Grima, a re- cruiter with Misco, clarifies that it is not only professional positions that There are no reliable local statistics but a cursory web search shows that as of last month almost 5,500 Maltese people clicked 'Like' on a Facebook page Everyone's got ink! Clockwise from left, singer Amy Winehouse; American original sailor Bill Killingsworth; Kyle, works at a popular Maltese burger joint; David Beckham, branded in tats; Miami Ink heroine Kat von D; and actor The Rock, in typical tribal tattoo