December 14, 2020
Tattoos & How They Affect Your Career in 2020
Do tattoos still affect your chances of landing or keeping a job? It’s certainly not a simple answer, because every career and every tattoo is different. In 2020, however, it seems that tattoos and other body modifications are becoming more acceptable. If their policies don’t evolve, employers will be missing out on a significant amount of qualified applicants. One of the greatest examples from 2020 is the appointing of New Zealand’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs – Nanaia Mahuta.
Face Tattoos in National Politics?
Nanaia Mahuta is New Zealand’s first indigenous (Māori) female foreign minister. Māori culture and practices are very common in modern day, as at least 1 in 7 New Zealander’s identify as Māori. Mahuta bears a symbolic tattoo on her chin. Māori use tattoos (tā moko) to signify social status and family genealogy or history. Many indigenous people still get traditional tā moko to show pride in heritage. By taking a seat in NZ’s parliament, Mahuta is proudly showing that cultural tattoos should never prevent you from reaching your dreams or career. It may not seem like much, but her presence speaks volumes to Māori that face scrutiny all too often. In just 2019, Air New Zealand lifted their staff tattoo ban – a rule that hindered Māori’s chances of employment.
Tattooed Primary School Teacher
On the other end of the spectrum, Sylvain Helaine claims to have lost his job due to his tattoos. Helaine has a career as a primary school teacher in France. Helaine explained that his tattoo journey started as an existential crisis, but quickly evolved into an obsession to cover himself in ink. He tenaciously covered his entire body in tattoos, including his eyes. His stark appearance isn’t for everyone, however. His students had grown used to his eccentricities, but a pupil’s sibling developed fear for him. The parents claimed that Helaine’s appearance had given their 3yo nightmares. Educational authorities ruled that Helaine could no longer teach kindergarten children, only 6+ year old students. While it did not cost him his job entirely, Helaine noted that the decision was “quite sad.”
Tattoos vs. Sports Career
In the US, it’s common to see athletes on tv with extensive tattoo work. In other countries such as China, tattoos are still seen as cultural taboo. China implements strong policies against tattoos and other modifications like dyed hair or piercings. A Chinese women’s soccer team was forced to forfeit when too many of their players had dyed hair in late 2020. Many other sports athletes fall under China’s strict policies regarding tattoos. Some are in agreeance and follow the rules, but others refuse to suppress their self expression – opting to wear skin colored bandages over their ink. In addition to sports, China has been notably opposed tattoos in many ways. In 2020 cab drivers of Shaanxi province were prohibited from having visible tattoos on their arms or necks. The National Radio and Television Administration banned tattoos from being shown on television in 2018, limiting careers across the board.
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