Feb 232010
My husband has a tatoo on his wrist and has had for about 15 years or more. He has been at his present job for 6 years and they are now “looking for something they can do” about his wrist tatoo. There is nothing in the dress code about tatoos and well he was hired with it. When he goes to business meetings and such it’s small enough where he covers it with a watch. We’re thinking maybe the man starting all of this just maybe has it out for him but we aren’t sure if they CAN do anything and if so are we going to be able to fight it?
cover it up with foundation i have a small tattoo on my wrist and its a light color no one even knows it is there if he can cover then he should if his job is on the line because of it i am not sure of the legal point but they can not hire you because of one
If they do try to fire him bring up the dress code and the fact that he covers it when it needed. He maintains a clean look obviously so it’s most likely a personal vendeta. That would be discrimination, and if they don’t have tattoos in there guidelines as not being allowed then they can not legally come down on his job for it since he was hired with it.
In general, other than race, gender, religion, sexual preference, and age, an employer can fire you for any reason or NO reason. Businesses, as long as they are not discriminating based on the above factors, can hire or fire whomever they want. There was a recent case where an employer fired all smokers…it was upheld in court.
The best thing to do is check with the labour board in your area regarding the laws around this.
It depends on what the employee manual says. Sometimes companies incorporate vague rules of conduct that may encompass tattoos. If they use that as the reason to fire him, then they still have to follow procedure. Which, first of all, means that he will need to be paid within the time period that the state law dictates. Most places it is 24 to 72 hrs. If they do fire him without any warnings, citing the rule of conduct, you have the right to take it to the unemployment and/or labor board. If that does not get you any results, take it to a lawyer that specializes in employer issues. There is also a foundation/spray paint that is made special for tattoos.
If it’s not in the dress code and he was hired with the tattoo, there should be no legal way he can be fired for having it.
No the can not fire you for that it’s harassment…15 years it bothered no one give me a break…tell them you’ll sue and win …it’s bs so watch your back and don’t give them any else to get you on.
Since he had the tattoo when he was hired they should not be able to fire him. They may have a case if the tattoo can be considered, by today’s standards, racist or sexist. Check with union or labour laws in your area.
Unfortunately, it isn’t illegal, but some attorneys have won such cases anyway under claims that work is trying to substantially alter the employee’s private life.
Get yourself a good lawyer, because it sounds like your case is pretty good. And the more people step forward and fight this kind of idiocy, the less prevalent it will be.
It sounds like there is another reason they want him gone that’s just the easy way out. It depends on the state you live in, for example I live in VA it’s a right to work state therefor an employer would need NO reason to fire someone.
with that right to work thing, i thought it was the opposite of what the pp said (i live in va too lol) so i looked it up. right to work only deals with unions http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-to-work_law
as far as the question, i don’t think it’s fair if he had it when he was hired but it’s best to check with a lawyer to be sure. labor law can be confusing
it sounds like they want him out of the company.. i know that when a company hires someone it’s cause they like them and i mean if he was hired with it in the beginning then i dont see why they are flipping out now. On top of that it sounds like he’s doing his part to cover it up when there are meetings and not flaunting it out and what not. A job can’t discriminate like that either i mean if its not part of their dress code and they didnt complain in the beginning and if it’s not affecting the way he works or his work ethics then you should definetly fight if he does get fired.
the man who wants to fire him must seriously have it out for this for your husband
i suggest he gets a better job where the managers are more respecting of their workers the guy who want him fired sounds like an ass hole
some of the tattooed people have great jobs really well paid too
i wish him luck