Week 4 EOC: Physical Attractiveness

“Tattoos are more popular than ever, but workers can be dismissed from or denied jobs because of their body modifications.” (http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28758900) There are controllable factors such as tattoos and personal hygiene and uncontrollable factors such as scars; they all play a big factor when it comes to seeking a job in places such a hospitality organizations. Physical attractiveness is conclusively a factor used to select employees in positions such as front-of-the-house food servers and hotel front desk agents. I can personally see why companies might not want to hire people with tattoos, personal hygiene and/or with scars. In a consumer point of view, I would feel very uncomfortable watching someone make my food with bad hygiene, certain scars, and/or with tattoos. Not everyone has the same opinion, but that is how I personally feel as a consumer. Thinking as a manager I wouldn’t want to loose customers due to the issue. I understand that certain people might be well fit for the job and they are discriminated over a scar, for example. Certain scars are uncontrollable, and I would understand why it would not be fair for them to get rejected from getting a job. Personal hygiene and tattoos are something that are controllable and I feel that if a person wants to work for a front-of-the-house food server, for example, they should think twice before getting a tattoo in a place that is visible by the public. Personal hygiene is also controllable and there shouldn’t get mad because they cannot get a job due to their bad hygiene. It wouldn’t make sense to hire someone with bad hygiene in any type of job, especially in an area in which consumers are around/visible.  “In nearly all cases, hospitality managers such as Latisha can (and often do) legally impose rules and guidelines that have a basis in social norms, such as those prohibiting visible tattoos, body piercings, or earrings for men.” (Human Resources Management in the Hospitality Industry, P. 78) Since not everyone has the same views and/or opinions about piercing, tattoos, scars, etc. I do believe that there should be certain rules and certain laws when it comes to hiring someone for a job. I believe that a company has the write to hire people who they believe will fit their company’s culture and who will bring more clientele. “While tattoos and piercings may be examples of employee self-expression, they generally are not recognized as signs of religious or racial expression (and thus are not typically protected under federal discrimination laws).” (Human Resources Management in the Hospitality Industry, P. 78) Although it might be unfair for certain people, I feel that it is the right thing because a company can loose their clientele due to certain qualities of their employees.