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Tattooed woman 'told to put bag over head by Jobcentre'

A woman with 30 tattoos claims she was told to ''put a bag over her head'' when she went for a job interview.

Published: 9:13AM BST 24 Sep 2010


Hayley O'Neil left the JobCentrePlus in tears, without any interviewers lined up, after the advisor concluded: 'Who would hire you looking like that ?' Photo: CAVENDISH

Hayley O'Neil, 23, - who also has 20 body piercings - says was also advised to ''stand behind a wall'' when she asked a job centre official what post she could apply for. She eventually left the Job Centre Plus centre in Blackburn Lancs in tears without any interviews lined up after the advisor concluded: ''Who would hire you looking like that?''

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."