Jobcentre told woman to put bag over head.

Gary L · 27-09-2010, 13:29

Quote:

Miss O'Neil, who got her first tattoo from her mother as an 18th birthday present said: ''I just felt so humiliated. I couldn't believe what this guy was saying.

''I said I could take the piercings out but they look a lot worse when they are out."
"The guy said: 'on first impressions do you think anyone would hire you?' He said: 'look at it this way if you were to stand behind a wall - or put a paper bag over your face do you think you would have a better chance?'

"He then backtracked and tried to say that he was sorry and hoped I wasn't offended but I was.

"He talked to me as though I was just going through a phase in my life, but this is my lifestyle choice, and this is who I am."

However a spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions denied any inappropriate remarks had been made during the interview, adding "Job Centre Plus offers standard job hunting tips which include dressing appropriately when going for an interview or visiting a potential employer."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...Jobcentre.html

**Maggy** · 27-09-2010, 13:44

Well,he may have put it crudely but he is basically correct..She is very unlikely to find a position that pays well unless she has some really much required skills where her appearance can be discounted.

haydnwalker · 27-09-2010, 15:17

I agree...while the job centre advisor may have been rude, it doesn't make it any less of the truth. If I went to an interview showing face studs and numerous large tattoos, I wouldn't be looked at twice, no matter what my skills are.

I think, to get a job, she needs to at least remove and let heal, the face studs, as they make her look worse anyway.

Why anyone would want to deface themselves like that is beyond me. I'm not against tattoos but having a stud in lips/cheeks is a bit much for me.

However, as she says, its her lifestyle choice, but she needs to deal with the consequences of that particular choice.

Digital Fanatic · 27-09-2010, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by haydnwalker

I agree...while the job centre advisor may have been rude, it doesn't make it any less of the truth. If I went to an interview showing face studs and numerous large tattoos, I wouldn't be looked at twice, no matter what my skills are.

I think, to get a job, she needs to at least remove and let heal, the face studs, as they make her look worse anyway.

Why anyone would want to deface themselves like that is beyond me. I'm not against tattoos but having a stud in lips/cheeks is a bit much for me.

However, as she says, its her lifestyle choice, but she needs to deal with the consequences of that particular choice.

Indeed, sometimes the truth hurts. She can keep her piercings, that's her choice, but it may well put off a good few employers.

The Job Centre was giving her honest feedback, although a little bit insensitive in the way it was delivered!

Kymmy · 27-09-2010, 15:46

Instead of commenting about how she looks in relation to her job hunting perhaps the advisor should be taking courses to help him do his job without having to get personal or abusive..

What an idiot!!

**Maggy** · 27-09-2010, 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Instead of commenting about how she looks in relation to her job hunting perhaps the advisor should be taking courses to help him do his job without having to get personal or abusive..

What an idiot!!

But Kymmy he still had a point, he just didn't deal with it sensitively enough.The trouble is now that she has a a grievance about the whole issue and may well lose the message.

It would be nice if we could all get the jobs we want, looking whatever way we like but realistically,pragmatically it's not going to happen any time soon.

Gary L · 27-09-2010, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

It would be nice if we could all get the jobs we want, looking whatever way we like but realistically,pragmatically it's not going to happen any time soon.

It's like X-factor. only the good looking ones get through. the ugly ones get sent home.

Kymmy · 27-09-2010, 16:49

And the point could have been put across by simply saying "Your Tattoos and peircings may effect your job hunting"

Instead he gave an answer that would make most people complain...

I used to turn upto a lot of customer jobs in full biking gear and strip down in warm offices to a top that showed off one of my tattoos, did they tell me to put a paper bag over my head.. Nope, instead they were happy with the quality of my work and always asked for me personally on future calls...

If comments like that are all the guy can make then he shouldn't be in a job that involves him talking to human beings..

Hom3r · 27-09-2010, 16:50

The trouble is the english language can be corrupted, take this point.

You have a college that has done your head in you say "Go home will you", if that person comes from an ethic minority then it could be deem racist.

**Maggy** · 27-09-2010, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

And the point could have been put across by simply saying "Your Tattoos and peircings may effect your job hunting"

Instead he gave an answer that would make most people complain...

I used to turn upto a lot of customer jobs in full biking gear and strip down in warm offices to a top that showed off one of my tattoos, did they tell me to put a paper bag over my head.. Nope, instead they were happy with the quality of my work and always asked for me personally on future calls...

If comments like that are all the guy can make then he shouldn't be in a job that involves him talking to human beings..

Oh I agree.

colin25 · 27-09-2010, 17:04

Dignity at work..takes a beating

I'm not keen on piercing..but always wondered about the girls getting tongue pierced
No harm thinking

Juo · 27-09-2010, 17:10

She looks awful.

Stuart · 27-09-2010, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

And the point could have been put across by simply saying "Your Tattoos and peircings may effect your job hunting"

Instead he gave an answer that would make most people complain...

I used to turn upto a lot of customer jobs in full biking gear and strip down in warm offices to a top that showed off one of my tattoos, did they tell me to put a paper bag over my head.. Nope, instead they were happy with the quality of my work and always asked for me personally on future calls...

If comments like that are all the guy can make then he shouldn't be in a job that involves him talking to human beings..

True, he should not have made a comment like that (I work in a customer facing job and have been tempted to say far worse, but wouldn't because it would cause offence), but the fact is that whether he phrased it well or badly, companies will tend not to employ someone who looks like that
,because the perception is often that they are yobbish.

Now, I am not saying that all people who have tattoos or body piercings are yobs. They aren't. It's just people percieve them as such.

27-09-2010, 18:32

He didn't tell her to put a paper bag over her head though did he ,neither did he tell her stand behind a wall .He was trying to get her to decide how her appearance would affect her job hunting without resulting to telling her she looks ridiculous and doesn't stand a cat in hells chance of getting a decent job looking like a pin cushion

27-09-2010, 19:47

Oh please looking the way she does i am struggling to believe she is that thin skinned and i am sure similar comments have been made in the past. Was he right in saying what he did well that all depends on the context of the full conversation something this woman has no reason to fully disclose at this point in case it shows she wasn't badly treated. I would prefer all the facts before jumping in and condemning this worker as i think there is probably more to this then what we have seen so far usually is in these types of cases.