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One big point of controversy for many people today is the ban of visible tattoos and piercings in the work place. In many work places, you can not have any visible tattoos, and the only piercings allowed are for women to have one hole in each ear. Unfortunately, many people feel that this stifles their creativity, and their freedom of speech.
Others say that these things are not freedom of speech at all. They are adornments on a person’s body. This has nothing to do with speech, these people say. Speech, though, is much more than just verbal communication.
Most companies are fine with you having other piercings or tattoos, but if you do there are things you must do to comply with the company’s policy. For example, if you have extra piercings, you can not wear them during work hours. You would have to take out the piercing while you are at the office. If you have tattoos, they have to be fully covered by your clothing, and not visible at all.
There are many problems with this. First, it is seen by many as stifling yourself and your expression. Another problem is that if you already have a tattoo in a place that is visible, it can make it very difficult to find a job. Also, some companies have taken this further, and you are not allowed to have any piercings (other than one hole in each ear for women) or tattoos. When this is the case, it can feel like a complete breech of privacy. It is also a very invasive question to be asked, if these things will never be seen, anyway.
It has become a matter of debate for many. Is the ban of tattoos and piercings in the workplace ok, or is it blocking your freedom of speech?
