February 2023 by Robin Martinez
It’s taken me two days to decide how and what I need to say about this very important matter. “ Discrimination of viable tattoos in the work place”. Three weeks ago I was referred by a fellow manager of an abc store for a position. I visited HR for small interview with my resume going back 12 years. Stated I’ve had lots of retail work in my life in between being a stay at home mom. Even management assistant for the front end of a grocery store, I was the customer service manager at a clothing store, called Stein Mart, even, ran convenient stores and owed my own business, had my career for the last 12 years. Very qualified! More than qualified! The kind HR lady said they were already looking to change “handbook” about tattoos during our meet. I have visible tasteful arm and hand tattoos. Received a compliment “ I can see why “ ?” referred you”. Thank you HR lady She said to hold on to see if this could be spoke about more with the director. I was greeted by him, Ronnie Monday as I came in door bc HR lady was busy doing payroll. His communication skills were very poor. Tone, body language. Not kind at all. I went ahead and asked him about a change of Handbook with tattoos. His cold reply is “board doesn’t want it, but HR will call you”. When I met the HR lady first visit I was informed the board consist of Lawyer, Doctors, Bankers. Can anyone else see the hypocrisy and irony in a *liquor store, not allowing tasteful *tattoos??I really wanted this job for the benefits and had hope with the HR ladies words that fueled “hope” for *change, much needed change for those good professionals people with tattoos to have a chance. Like police officers, medical people, dental people, EMS people, they do. They are very professional people that help alcoholics like my aunt who died at 50 years old from liver failure from drinking too much whiskey. ❤️ She didn’t have any tattoos.(Side note) I had recently just visited an ABC store to speak to the manager about work, there were four workers and only one of them had a presentation that was professional but no tattoos. Dressed a lil homely, Respectful said! All my clothes are professional attire since I had my own business for years. Beyond qualified for a ABC store job BUT my tattoos didn’t allow me to be hired. I’ve never had this kind of discrimination done to me personally. Thank God I know my identity and worth doesn’t lay in the hands of tattoos and an alcohol board. It comes from Jesus! And man let me tell ya without him I’ll never understand how people live with wrong judgements like the abc board of Doctors etc!!! My question is the professionals on the board must not have tattoos, but do they go home and have bourbon every night after work because their job is stressful and no one judges them or discriminates on them for alcoholism !?!? No judgement from me if you do abc board, that’s for God to decided. I don’t drink but 3x a year maybe socially. But I have tasteful tattoos everyday! I am a super person who goes the extra mile in ANY job I’ve had or done. And do everything in my life with my heart, mind and soul! We all are hypocrites! I find that ABC board is the Epiphany of hypocrisy. Yes, to liquor that kills people daily but no to tattoos, that doesn’t harm anyone. I could understand no face and neck tattoos because that’s the first thing you look at in customer service is someone’s face. I try to focus on *solution so my suggestion for is rewrite your handbook “ no face and neck tattoos and all other tattoos must be tasteful, no vulgarity, nothing sexual or evil” ! My prayer?? is to help make a very necessary change!“No discrimination in the workplace over tattoos”! I’m including pictures of my body art. That all is heartfelt meanings. For family, my faith, my church >>> and fun Winnie Pooh characters. God Bless everyone! Specially the manager , the HR lady and Lord help Mr. Ronnie??. Make the change!!! It’s what’s right, just and fair, ***especially when your product is only liquor. I say this all in truth and prayer for change in Jesus names!
