naomi24 - "Just as I wouldn’t employ someone with visible tattoos in a position where they were expected to meet the public, or business associates, similarly I wouldn’t employ someone who arrived for an interview in a studded leather jacket and sporting face jewellery and a spiky punk hairstyle. It’s all about the impression you want to convey – and in business the impression you convey is important."
I can see your viewpoint, but that does not make it correct.
Unless someone takes a stand against visual predjudice, it will continue.
Dependent on the type of business, I would say there are more businesses than less that can afford to employ people of individualistic appearence - the business i work for - BT - is one, and there are a number of flamboyantly tattooed individuals dotted around the place.
A predjudice thhis company could use is vocal - they could refuse to employ a man who talks in a camp manner, inferring homosexuality to the caller, which may in turn predjudice the caller's view of the company, and indirectly harm its business.
Fortunately, BT has robust anti-discrimination legislation, and such barriers do not exist - but only because someone has decided that predjudice in the work place should be discouraged, and the proper place to start is with the empoyer's attitudes.