The belief that people with piercings, colorful hair, and unique clothing are undesirable candidates for jobs is severely outdated. Gen Z is well known for striking fashion statements, dyed hair, facial piercings, and tattoos; this is how we express ourselves and feel comfortable in our bodies. Self-expression does not equate to the inability to perform one’s job successfully. For example, I have four tattoos and a septum piercing; I also have a master’s degree. I, like many others, face discrimination in the hiring process based on nothing other than the way I look. Let’s face it, hiring managers make assumptions about a candidate solely because they look different, not taking their previous work experience or academic achievement into consideration.
In a post-COVID world, many jobs are now remote, work-from-home positions. However, for those who work minimum wage fast food jobs, they face harsher discrimination. Chick-fil-A does not allow employees to have visible tattoos, septum piercings, “unnatural hair colors,” or “eccentric hairstyles.” Under those requirements, I am not allowed to work at a fast-food restaurant for poor pay; no matter how hard I work, how many collegiate degrees I have, or my success in previous places of employment, Chick-fil-A will not hire me. They also do not allow colorful jewelry, eyelash extensions, or hoop earrings.
Highly skilled professionals are also discriminated against. In 2018, Indiana University Health ditched its 50-page dress code and adopted one that allowed its nurses to have unnatural hair colors and visible tattoos. Nurses are highly respected members of society who provide lifesaving treatment to all their patients. Why should it matter if your nurse, who can do a job that you cannot, has a full sleeve of tattoos or pink hair?
It is exhausting for this antiquated belief that appearing “unprofessional” means that one has poor work habits, is untrustworthy, and doesn’t deserve a job to continue to be perpetuated. Gen Z is the generation of bold self-expression and if you do not hire us, you eventually won’t have anyone willing to work for you at all.
The “professional look” is changing. Employees are not little robots; we are people who deserve to display our self-expression without fear of repercussion. Do not assume I cannot work for you because I have a piece of metal in my nose and permanent art on my body.
