[Helen]

I agree  personality etc thats what we must consider first but appearance is also almost as important.

What people choose to do to themselves is up to them, they have to answer for it, I agree.

However do I want someone with orange hair, covered in tats, everything pierced.  No I do not as that person is representing me and my business.  Its not the image I want to give esp to my older customers who may not be so comfortable with it.

You can employ who you want. So don't employ someone with showable tattoo's....simples!
On the app form, put a question:
do you have any distinguishing body markings (inc tattoo's) or body piercings.
answer yes......don't employ
answer no......employ if right candidate on trial basis, once in your uniform you will see if they have been honest or not and if the latter, you can get rid due to lying on app form



So under the current law can I ask and tell to cover up?

I should say my current helper has them but he choose to declare it at interview and request a long sleeve shirt as he regrets having them.

Thanks
Mark

[Craigp]

Funny enough this exact thing is going to be discussed on radio 5 live today, not sure what time, they never said, but this morning I think.

[Chris Straker]

Tattoos and a shaved head has never stopped me going anywhere !!
Even when I just had cropped hair & a SKINS tattoo, I was working in Fulham/Chelsea for a company populated by sloane rangers  :

Neither has the same meaning anymore so most people do not discount you for it !!

[Victoria Hutchinso]

Some of our cleaners London have tattoos, but we ask them to  hide them so, it's  a win-win situation. I don't think that you should discriminate people with tattoos, but if you want to ask the question in a more appropriate way, then just say something like " Have you ever do something extreme in your life such as making a tattoo for instance?". This should give you the desired results.

[Craigp]

On radio 2 now. turns out the police have been doing this for years, you have to declare them at interview.

Also a few called in to say they work in supermakets and its their policy that they are not on show.

I think you are quite safe asking if the police do it.

[robert meldrum]

POLICE in Australia have banned officers from having visible tatoos

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

Mark

Just been out for a meal with a friend who is a solicitor who specalises in employment law and this topic came up during the evening.

There are only certain issues that are down on statute as to which you cannot discriminate on eg sex, race etc.

Therefore as long as you ask all potential employees the same question you can simply pick/choose who you wish to employ from the application form. Obviously you may want to add the question or something similar to " will you be prepared to wear clothes that hide tattoos should you happen to have any".

Hope this helps.

Rog

[wynne jones]

Good point about being able to show consistent questioning. You can be pulled up if you ask different questions that may eliminate someone.