What does job applicants’ body art signal to employers?

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization
Year: 2024
Volume: 217
Issue: C
Pages: 742-755

Authors (3)

Baert, Stijn (Universiteit Gent) Herregods, Jolien (not in RePEc) Sterkens, Philippe (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

In this study, we present a state-of-the-art scenario experiment which, for the first time in the literature, directly measures the stigmas surrounding job candidates with tattoos and piercings using real recruiters. We find that job candidates with body art are perceived as less pleasant to work with, less honest, less emotionally stable, less agreeable, less conscientious and less manageable. This goes hand in hand with lower hireability for men with body art but not for women. Compared to candidates who reveal obesity, a characteristic we also randomise, those with body art score better overall in terms of hireability and rated personality, similar in terms of rated taste for collaboration but worse in terms of rated direct productivity drivers.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jeborg:v:217:y:2024:i:c:p:742-755
Journal Field
Theory
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-24