Tattoos in the Workplace

It really wasn't so long ago that a person with tattoos was asked, "How will you get a job when you have tattoos?" or "Nobody will hire you if you have tattoos." Due to the rapid rise in tattoo acceptance and social approval, I thought that stigma had faded already. But quite recently while at a job training course that prepares unemployed people for upcoming interviews, one of the Do’s and Don’ts was to hide the tattoos and piercings. As I saw this statement in the presentation, I wondered if this material was outdated, or still a fact in the workforce. Especially considering the last person to interview me had inked arm sleeves on both of her arms and lots of facial tattoos. Yes, this was corporate. 

Instead of arguing what I felt needed to be the updated reality of our times, I decided to do a little digging to see what I would find. Therefore, the next day I went to a Summer Job Fair that was being held at the UofA in the Dinwoodie Lounge building. There were about thirty tables hosting different companies and the representatives who welcomed the job seeker. The companies ranged from the government, transportation, sales, research, military, security, education, health & wellness, children’s programs, hospitality, and restaurants. From a bird's eye view, I knew the diversity of employers would give me a great range of possibilities which allowed my inquiry to have a generous outcome of possibilities. 

                                     

With my survey and pen in hand, I approached the tables. “If someone with tattoos and body piercings applied for a job with your company, would you consider hiring them, or would you turn them away.”

The results were quite surprising.

Due to Media Regulations bound to the companies, the representatives did not have permission for comment release and were not able to allow me to take photos. Having said that, they did allow me to take quotes and blanket the companies under sub-types. Fair enough. I’ll take that. 

 Although sailors and war heroes were some of the first to embrace tattoos, surprisingly, I found it was the navy, military and security type positions that seemed to have the most regulations when it came to ink and piercings.

One man said, “Our military career counselors when they do a military interview during the application process, they ask for pictures of any tattoos so there can be nothing offensive, vulgar, pornographic, nothing on the hands, or above the neck. It’s the Department of National Defence policy. Piercing for women are like gold studs, nothing bigger. No facial piercing.” He continued to say, “ It’s not a problem. I have friends who have tattoos and continue to get tattoos.”

Another military type person added, “As an equal opportunity employer, we cannot discriminate against tattoos unless they are offensive.”

A woman at the Security booth said employees were “only allowed one visual tattoo”.  I noticed both she and the other person accompanying her had their quota of ink. 

When it came to the companies that work with children, it was thumbs up all-round. Some of the representatives had visible tattoos. One young woman said, “Companies or careers services that advise candidates or people looking for jobs that having lots of tattoos or piercings is unprofessional and to cover them up or take them out, no one is going to hire you ….that idea is obsolete. I think our world is changing, lots of people have tattoos, lots of people have piercings, and I think depending on the job and the employer those things should not prohibit someone from working a job.”

Helen from the City of Spruce Grove felt that times have changed and referred to tattoo people as  “the more diverse they are the more they can relate to the children”. Yes, you read that correctly. Diverse.  I noticed this idea that having tattoos and piercings was now considered a part of being diverse. It was becoming a collective agreement. I noticed many of the people who I spoke with considered the idea of people having tattoos and piercings were to be amongst the  “diversity opportunities”. 

“In the railway business, pretty much most of the field employees have a tattoo.” answered a railway representative. 

“The way someone looks does not determine their ability to do the job.” said a representative in the service industry.

“In the field of research, most employees are working behind the scenes, so it is not relevant for their job.” said a research company employee. 

By the end of my investigation, it was an unanimous response. Every company representative that I had asked “would you hire a person with tattoos or piercings” all agreed that they would hire the person as long as the tattoos were not offensive or vulgar, and of course, the person needed to be qualified for the job. 

End.

#tattoos  #tattoosintheworkplace  #diversity

The Courtesy of Requesting Permission

One thing I already figured out before I started taking pictures of people’s tattoos was that I needed to ask for their permission first. For one thing, it is a simple courtesy. The other reason is that tattoos can be a form of identity and an unknowing photo could jeopardize a person's safety.

I grew up in the days before the digital age, the days when a person actually had privacy or could make mistakes publically and not too many people knew about it. Back then, cameras were for people on holidays or who were serious about being photographers. Not like today, where everyone has a digital camera in their pocket and obsessively taking photos of whatever catches their eye. And yes, that is totally cool that people can catch the moment and share it with others. The problem is that the value of responsibility did not get inherited with the privileges of having this technology.  

There are lots of reasons why people do not want to have strangers taking pictures of their tattoos. I’ve been told on numerous occasions that the person does not want to have their photo taken. I won’t even ask why, but just respect their boundaries out of respect. Some people find it too personal to share. For others, it is because of their spiritual reasons. Some people are forbidden to have them because of their culture and don’t want their family members seeing them, especially online. And having been involved with domestic violence survivors, I know there are a lot of people out there who do not want to be identified over the internet for safety reasons. I cannot tell you how many times I have had people thank me for asking for their permission. The great part is, there are many people who love to display their tattoos for a photo when asked for permission.

A great example of cause and effect of a tattoo photo going viral is in the story Tattoos lead Thai police to arrest Japanese Gang Member. It’s the story of a 74-year-old fugitive Japanese gang member who was hiding out in Thailand for ten years. He was discovered because someone took a picture of his beautiful bodysuit and it went viral on the internet. This may be a case of the guy’s karma catching up, I’m not here to judge. But I do think it is a great example of how people can be identified by their ink.

So as a gentle memo to those of you who have your personal reasons for not wanting to share your very cool looking tats, remember that when you are out in public, there are cameras everywhere and there are many people who are not going to ask for your permission. But on the flipside, there is lots of opportunity for having your tattoo appreciated by millions and that is pretty fantastic for those who are comfortable with this kind of exposure.

#tattoos #identity #viral

The Warriors Pose

While I was in University, I noticed my fellow classmate, Meghan, was very good at drawing. I eventually asked her if she wouldn't mind doing a rough sketch of an image that I had envisioned for a tattoo.  Being the great kid that she was (she is a young woman now), she said she wouldn’t mind at all. That was eight or ten years ago. Back then, I was a single mom going to school as a mature student. I’m still a single mom, and I still haven’t gotten the tattoo...but I still have the picture. At that time, I was healing from life's struggles and wanted a tattoo that would represent my strength, my transformation and my children. It wasn’t until years later that I would come to understand the full significance of this image that my subconscious had created. I have always been a magical kind of creature in the playful sense; small framed, curious, and mystic by nature. I came to realize the faerie who is in the Warrior Pose represented the inner strength I drew upon and that I would always be transforming. The waves of energy that are entering via the hind hand and exiting via the front hand represent the chi energy that flows through us. We become the expansion of that breath. As I mentioned in my other post, the butterflies represent my three children who are the catalyst for my personal transformation. Anyone who has a child understands very well how everything in your life changes once you have a child. Not only does this include lifestyle, but values and humility. 

Maybe twice through the years, I have come across this picture still hiding in the safe place I tucked away in.  I have often wondered when the time would come when it would finally become a fixed part of me. Then in September when I was tossing the idea around if this was the right time to get moving on this project, I just happened to come across the picture. I believe in signs of synchronicity. The decision was clear. 

I am thinking to have the faerie in black and grey tones and the butterflies in colour.

I have done some alterations to the original picture, and I am sure the person who will be the artist to place it upon me will also be offering his or her personal touch. But I would love to share with you all the picture that kept this dream alive. Thank you Meghan Taylor!

I would like to give a shout out to Meghan's work. Please check her out at HERE and HERE

#faerie  #fairy  #tattoo  #Inkart  #transformation  #momsloveink

The Hollywood Influence

Hollywood has always played a big part in being influential upon the culture of the North American people. I think it would even be safe to say, the people of the world.  The glamorous stars have mingled with politics, music and fashion since the first movie reel hit the theatre. The common folk always turn to their hero and heroins for inspiration and in many cases advise. And these Performers have a great understanding of how they can be an influence by using the media to convey their personal thoughts, ideals and agendas to the mass public. One of those people was Charlie Chaplin. Even today Charlie Chaplin's 1940 political satire film “The Great Dictator” can be seen all over the internet.  And singer-actress Judy Garland, from The Wizard of Oz, inspired young women to be true to themselves by saying, “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else”. Not only did Judy have a iconic role that would inspire creative thought for half a century, but she used her platform to send an empowering message.

Young women, particularly teenagers, have always looked to other successful females to be their role models. I’m sure it has been that way since the days of Cleopatra and it will continue to be so. Those in the position of being an influence yield a special power to say what is ok and what is not ok. And it is my opinion that some of these Hollywood female stars are sending the message that having a tattoo can be socially acceptable and in many cases quite classy. By having a respected role model openly show their tattoos proudly, it removes the stigma that only bad girls get tattoos.

For my example of a Hollywood singer and actress I will be using Demi Lovato for two reasons. One is because I used her as an example of “don’t drink and ink” gone wrong and need to make my karmic amends. And the second reason is because Demi is a great role model to a lot of people out there. She has been through many personal battles and has come out with her dignity and authenticity. Since that first tattoo, Demi has continued to get more tattoos that reflect her at a more thoughtful and mature level. I think she is a great example of, if you make a mistake you can correct it.

Having battled bulimia and cutting herself, Demi spent much of her younger years struggling with addiction and mental health issues. I think it shows her inner strength to rise above these battles she has had to fight through. So many people, quietly, silently, understand this dark night of the soul. And it is through the art of Ink that Demi chose to illustrate the internal plight of her soul through words of poetic gestures and illustrations of hope.

To stop the internal programming of cutting herself, Demi had the words Stay Strong tattooed on her wrists. In an interview with 20/20 she says, “The message is for me. It says ‘Stay Strong.’ So every day no matter if I’m putting on my shoes or putting on my makeup, I see it every day, to stay strong.”

On her right hand she has a cross tattoo which signifies her Christian faith.  On her one foot it says “Let Go &” and on the other foot “Let God”.  Then on her forearm is the word “ Faith” amongst a flock of 12 Black Birds.  When iHeartRadio asked why she had twelve birds, Demi answered, “I love the freedom that birds represent and I didn’t specifically have a huge reason why I got 12 of them. But one day, one of my friends that I was at Sober Living, I was living in her Sober Living house, and they asked, ‘So why’d you get … How many did you get?’ And I was like, ‘I don’t know. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve,’ and I was like, ‘Whoa, I didn’t mean to do that.’ But it’s like, it was kind of like a God thing, like I worked the 12 steps, so as I got that while I was in Sober Living, apparently it was really meant to be.”

On her shoulder she Inked the phrase “now I’m a warrior” which comes from her song “Warrior”.   And on her side she has the words “You make me beautiful” This side tattoo is an ongoing project for Demi. She has since added feathers, a dream catcher and smaller feathers.

Demi has an array of many other tattoos that represent the birthdays of her family members, reminders of those who have passed, and other forms of keeping her faith. And the famous lips tattoo has been converted into a beautiful rose upon her arm. I think as she matures so does the art upon her.

I think the really great message that Demi projects is that it doesn’t matter how famous or infamous a person is, we all still have our shit to deal with. And it is through the art of tattooing that she can see on a daily basis of where her strength comes from. It is her personal poetic reminder to stay strong. And I think it is a beautiful gift that she is authentic enough to share that with others.

Sources:

http://stealherstyle.net/demi-lovato/?post_type=tattoos

#DemiLovato #Hollywood #tattoos #rolemodels #Charliechaplin #performers #influence

My Daughter's First Tattoo

   One of the philosophies I have embraced pertaining to tattoos is that it is unwise to get a tattoo without putting much thought into it first. Tattoos are supposed to be for life. Because of this, I can appreciate the laws that enforce a person to be of eighteen years of age to get a tattoo. A person's interests and values change with maturity. In many cases, what a person though was cool or awesome as a teenager will not be the same as when he or she becomes an adult. 

   So when my seventeen year old daughter was packing to leave for her student exchange trip to Spain, she let it slip that she was going to get a tattoo. Of course my immediate response was, “um...no you’re not”.

   She insisted that in Spain she only had to be sixteen years old and that half of the girls going on this trip were getting tattoos. I then asked her what tattoo she wanted to get. She had replied that she did not know yet. After giving her my speech on the importance of putting some thought into your tattoo, I ended the conversation with that motherly look of authority  I had been practicing for seventeen years and said, “NO”. 

   The night before my daughter was scheduled to leave, she informed me that the teacher in charge had squashed any idea of them getting a tattoo. Apparently there would be hell to pay if any of them got a tattoo on this trip. The next day, my beautiful daughter boarded the plane to Spain. It would be three weeks before I would see her again. 

   Three weeks later, I was thrilled and relieved to have my daughter home safely. Once we got to the house she unpacked and came walking barefoot into the kitchen. My eyes immediately went to her ankle. 

   “What is that?” I asked.

   “A tattoo” she replied.

   I could see it was a word written in scribe. I asked what it said.

   “Familia. Family” she answered.

   I have to admit, being a writer, I was intrigued. “Why did you chose to have the word Family as your tattoo?” I asked.

   She replied, “Because while I was gone, one of the things I came to understand is that there is nothing more important than your family”.  I hugged my daughter and through a few tears, told her it was a beautiful tattoo and I was happy to have her home. 

SHOUT OUT: Symarah is a university student and does not have a personal business to give a shout out to. Therefore, Symarah would like her shout out to go to The Edmonton Humane Society to remind people of the importance of adopting an animal that needs a furever home. 

#family    #tattoos   #daughters   #mothers  #parenting

Introduction

It may seem cliche to say that "every picture has a story", but the reality is that every picture does have a story. If the image does not have a story per say, then the story revolves around the creation of that image.

Hello, my name is Patricia Travers. Since what seems to be forever, I have loved tattoos. When I look at a tattoo, I see many things. I see art, a story, and a piece of someones history. I see pop culture and ancient symbols. There is love. There is pain. There is devotion. And then I see the person who so beautifully displays them.

On more occasions than I care to admit, I have been that crazy woman who goes up to strangers and asks them the significance of their skin art. Mostly, and thank goodness, people respond well and like to share their stories or give a modest body tour.

As for me, up until now, I have never gotten a tattoo. The reason for this was because as a single parent/student/writer, I just didn't have the money to do it, or couldn't justify spending money on myself. But a funny thing happens once you turn 50. You begin to look at life a little differently. Time seems to be a little less generous. There is a call to adventure and rediscovering your authentic self.

I hope you will join me as I journey down the road of Tattoo Culture, sharing my personal stories and the stories and art of others. 

Thank you!