A lot happens in each episode of the BBC One’s The Apprentice. There are tantrums, tears, arguments and name calling aplenty as the 16 contestants battle it out to be Lord Sugar’s newest business partner. This week though, the naming and shaming are happening outside of the board room, with the most recent feud – between The Apprentice’s Lewis Ellis and Sugar himself – highlighting a troubling generational divide that has plagued plenty of Millennial workers: being judged for how you look, dress or what you do with your body.
Following the most recent episode – where the contestants were tasked with re-branding the country of Finland (as you do, right?) and Ellis stripped off to film an advert – Sugar took to Twitter to make his thoughts of Ellis’ ink known: "Lewis tattoos are horrific .Tell me where I am missing the point. What does he look like @bbcapprentice [sic].”
Showing that out of the boardroom he’s not afraid to counter Sugar, Ellis soon tweeted a reply. “Back to rule #1 f**k what people think about you,” he captioned a topless photo. “Thank you everyone that took the time to show some support for my “horrific” tattoos and pointing out no one has the right to judge you or your body. #theapprentice #tattoos #inked #inkedlife [sic].”
Not to be outdone, Sugar responded with a cutting joke, the like of which he has become known for on The Apprentice. Unfortunately, it’s a joke that falls flat. Comparing Ellis to a “Kindle”, Sugar maintains his right to having an opinion on someone else’s body and life choices: “You have the right to do what you want to your body. I have the right of an opinion. I say they are horrible. When you’re 50 on the beach you’ll wear a T-shirt. You will be an embarrassment to your kids.”
It’s a response that shows Sugar and the corporate world he represents is sorely out of touch with the young people he is so desperate to have on The Apprentice and by default, watch the show. In 2015, a survey found that a fifth of British adults were inked and nearly half (47%) of Millennials (those born between 1982 and 2004) have at least one tattoo.
Though there is no absolute legal protection for body artand there have been plenty of examples of people being fired for their tattoos, Ellis and Sugar’s feud highlights the need for changing attitudes. Continue to do so and bosses like Sugar could put Millennials off applying for jobs which will only hurt their businesses.
It’s probably safe to say that Ellis hasn’t won this year’s Apprentice, but we commend his attitude. His cheeky response to Sugar’s latest tweet? “Okay Boomer”.
Looks like Sugar isn’t the only one who can make jokes.
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