Body Modification Bias

Companies preach that they are diverse, accepting, and inclusive but are biased about tattoos, piercings, and hair in the workplace. Why? Many arguments I hear about why companies do not like seeing body modifications in the workplace revolve around the company’s image.

The stereotype that if a person has tattoos, piercings, or unnatural hair means they cannot be professional is outdated, damaging, and incredibly biased. How someone chooses to decorate their body does not impact their ability to do their job effectively. This reminds me of a riddle I heard as a child; Two hairdressers cut each other’s hair. One has a clean, even haircut. The other has a choppy, uneven haircut. Which hairdresser would you choose to cut your hair? Most people answered that they would see a hairdresser who has a clean and even haircut. But they forgot the fact that the hairdressers cut each other’s hair. Meaning the hairdresser with the choppy, uneven haircut is the one you would want to see. We, as a society, are trained to judge based on appearance. The professional-looking hairdresser does not have the necessary skills needed to cut hair. However, because they look better, they were the ones chosen. 

When hiring candidates, we need to leave our bias at the door. Having colored hair, tattoos, or piercings does not mean someone makes bad choices, does drugs, or is involved in any other nefarious activity. Having body modifications does not cheapen an individual's skills or experience. We tell our children not to judge a book by its cover, yet this does not seem to apply in the workplace.

Often when I have this conversation with peers, the response I hear is, “Well, we have a dress code policy” or “This is a customer-facing role so we need someone to look professional when representing the company”. However, this goes back to my original point that none of these body modifications are unprofessional just because they are deemed not socially acceptable modifications.

What is considered socially acceptable body modifications? Plastic surgery, liposuction, tanning, hair extensions, earlobe piercings, teeth whiting or straightening, having your nails done, and makeup. All these things change your appearance in a way that makes you feel more confident, socially accepted, or even required in the workplace. These modifications are no different than tattoos, piercings, and hair color but are treated as such. Unless there is a safety concern with certain modifications, then it should not be a factor. 

One of the benefits of working remotely over the last few years is most job interviews have been virtual. All the virtual interviews I have had in the past few years did not require a camera to be turned on, this allowed the interviewer and I to focus on my skills and experience rather than what I look like. In my opinion, this is the first step in removing this bias. As we move back to an in-person work environment, we need to keep some of these values. Trying to force your employees to fit a socially accepted image is an old way of thinking. We are seeing more and more candidates in the workforce turning down jobs or leaving them because of these outdated practices. We need to change our way of thinking if we want to continue to retain or bring on new employees. If we focus more on skills, knowledge, and ability to learn instead of what someone looks like, you will be able to find better candidates that will fit the role you are looking to fill. 

One of the features I love about some hiring platforms is they’ve started to have a bias blocker feature that helps eliminate unconscious bias.

Try it out yourself and see what kind of difference it will make for your company.

Citations and studies.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235272258_Body_Art_in_the_Workplace_Piercing_the_Prejudice

 Miller, Brian & Nicols, Kay & Eure, Jack. (2009). Body Art in the Workplace: Piercing the Prejudice?. Personnel Review. 38. 621-640. 10.1108/00483480910992247.