Tattoos in the workplace...?

paulamarsden

someday i hope body art will be included

its a matter of time my friend, trust me!

soulwarder

I have seen some interesting tat's, and some that looked like an after thought after a night of drinking! The Department where I work outlawed them so, if you have one, you have to have it covered. Lot's of gauze and knee highs with the toe cut out! I don't have any, after all the needles that I have had to deal with over the years the thought of doing it intentionally makes my skin crawl! But, I have seen some that were beautiful and, if that's what makes you happy, then so be it!

chefanie85

As a chef nobody seems to mind that I have visible tattoos.

During the day I work as an office/store manager and I've never had a probably with the tattoos on my wrist and forearm. I'm getting a full sleeve this year and my boss, customers, and coworkers don't seem to have any issues with that. None of mine are offensive and they are all very personal. I've had some pretty cool conversations with my customers because they started asking me about them.

I worked for a store once that left this up to the managers. So when one manager was on duty it was alright, but for another we had to have them covered because he is completely against tattoos (in general, not just in the workplace). They made us wear bandages to cover them, so half the time people were asking if we had hurt ourselves. I started wearing a sweater over my work shirts just in case that manager was there. Then I would put it in my locker if it wasn't needed.

ElleD89

I've never had a problem with my visible ones at my job. They recently changed the Employee Handbook to allow tattoos and everyone was like, "Go Elle!", but I had nothing to do with it. I think they're just opening up to tattoos in general. It took my first boss 3 months to notice mine and it's on my wrist!

Being2befit

well I work at bank and they are fine with tattoos..i have a saying on my waist and so does my co-worker..Our clients actually like our tattoos...I vote yes on tattoos in workplace

lgwmab

I may be a little old school, and new school. I work in an insurance office, for my dad, who is very old school, and does not like tatoos. Most of the time mine are covered. I have 3 on my hips, unless I am in a swimsuit, me and my old man are the only 2 that see them. However; with that being said, I currently have 3 on my ankle. At one time it was only 2, I worked in a restaurant, and had a few older women I worked with, and I showed them my 2 ankle tats, 1 is my great dane I had as a kid, and the other is a sun/moon symbol, both in color, and asked if they saw them, would they be offended, or think differently of me, if they did not know me, adn they said no. If I were a skirt or dress, or shorts, yes, they are visable. SInce then I have added a celtic cross, with an Irish Claddagh to the inside of my ankle, fairly large, you can kinda see it in my pic. I love it, and all of them, they are for me.

Some tats do need to be covered, if they are offensive, if you get my drift; but I could care less about most ink, I think an artists work is beutiful, and let it be seen. Just be careful, we are a melting pot, and some older generations do not appreciate ink as much as the younger generations. My dad has learned to accept mine, as they are all meaningful, and have meanings that I hold close to my heart, he may not be a fan of tats, but has also learned it's a generation thing. All things in moderation.

I am a fan of piercings, but I also understand many are offende, more so then of tats. I had my nips pierced, since I had 3 holes in my ears already, and knew I wanted to work in an office, so i kept it somewhere for me, as that's why i did it, for me, not everyone else.

It comes down to think before you act, and remeber you may not be the only one seeing it, so be respectful of others.

hollyeverhart

I have a pain in the *kitten* time trying to get a "real" job because of my tattoos (mainly my ring finger tattoo, and my forearm) & my piercing/hair color/hair style. It's such crap. Its 2012 EVERYONE has tattoo's/piercing these days. Its discrimination to not hire someone because of that. If you are qualified and dress how the job requires and maintain a clean appearance, there should be no problem. I have super low tolerance for any place that won't hire me for piercing/tattoos then I see a dirty looking/unintelligent/etc person working their but thats okay because they are "normal" ugh! I got turned down at freaking Starbuck's because I had blue in my hair. Professionally done, nice looking, not sloppy whatever, but it was blue. The lady interviewing me had fire red hair, not natural! how's that different? Sorry getting way off topic now.. It just upsets me that I can't get a okay job because I decided to look a way that makes me happy.

hollyeverhart

I wear a sweater...but you can see my plugs, the tattoo on my neck, and the tattoo on my wrist. I want someone to see me when they walk through my office door, not my tattoos. It's a business first, fashion later. If I can see your tattoo like the guy in the picture, that's fine, but I don't want to see your 5 foot pink hair do with tears tattooed on your cheek...keep it classy.

Its not "classy" to look a way that makes you happy? Maybe people shouldn't have to cater to you. If you don't like it, Don't look!

hollyeverhart

Don't want to see them in the workplace. Ok if you work in a tattoo shop

That is DISCRIMINATION! How is this okay? God forbid you are creative and want to modify your appearance because it makes you happy. What someone else chooses to do with their own body is not anyone else's business. If you don't like tattoo's don't get them.

hollyeverhart

I wouldn't want an employer so narrow minded that they forbade tattoos. If they take issue with something as benign as tattoos, I doubt we'd see eye to eye on a lot of other issues.

^this

hollyeverhart

Kind of off topic, but I thought it would be an appropriate addition to the thread:

^this is great. Thank you for posting that.

hollyeverhart

Totally did a speech over this topic!
If the person does their job well, they should be able to have them.

Sure....but a company also has the right to not hire them if they don't want tattoos in their workplace.

Then a company should have a right to not hire someone for being overweight, or for their religion or for any other choice they make that sets them apart or makes them look different then the norm. Its all discrimination and NONE of it is okay

MaximalLife

I love my tattoo as it has great meaning to me.
Having said that, tattoos are a sign of low class.
That's reality.
As long as you realize this, go in with eyes wide open.

You have just shut some doors that will never open.
Me? I don't care which is why I have learned to just sneak through the back windows so to speak - :drinker:

I'm low class in a high class world, and I realize that I would never be fully accepted, but again, so what?
I made my choices and love my life - tattoo and all.

Diary_Queen

My workplace is extremely conservative and we have a 'not below the clothing line' policy. I wasn't surprised at that, but they did ask me (before I was hired) to change the jewlery in my ear cartilege piercing to something with a clear stone. I gladly complied and most people don't notice it anymore. I miss my rockin metal horseshoe that I had in my piercing, but I can live without it. I really don't mind tats on co-workers. I know my boss has one, but I have never and will never see it.

EJWoolcock

I have an ankle tatt and mostly wear dresses and it's never been an issue. My other one is on my back so covered up anyway. I find it amusing that my girlfriend who works in a call centre had 30 pages of dress code - no visible tattoos, no shoestring straps, no capri's etc and I work as a Finance Manager in a corporate office and got told "just wear something nice"!!

mosertheninja

I have seven, going on eight (actually tonight) tattoos. Most of them are small but I do have a large one on my shoulder, and two visible on my wrists. It really does depend on where you work. I work at a retirement home as a server, so it's understandable why someone would ask me to keep it covered due to the clientele. Though I find it odd that I have to take out a small eyebrow peircing when our caregivers do not cover their tattoos. :-( What bugs me is that people tag on the word "Professional" when discussing this topic, and often in a negative way. Tattoos are considered "unprofessional", yet 24% of Americans 18-50 are inked. Some tattoos are also tackier than others which may factor into an employers decision to ask an employee to cover it up. Closed mined people just need to understand that ones skin does not represent their work ethics or abilities.

Legs_McGee

I have two - a small star on my wrist and a sun on my lower tummy. Only the wrist one shows in my work clothes obviously, but no one has ever made a negative comment about it. I work at a law firm and half the people here have visible tattoos.

lilRicki

I wear a sweater...but you can see my plugs, the tattoo on my neck, and the tattoo on my wrist. I want someone to see me when they walk through my office door, not my tattoos. It's a business first, fashion later. If I can see your tattoo like the guy in the picture, that's fine, but I don't want to see your 5 foot pink hair do with tears tattooed on your cheek...keep it classy.

Its not "classy" to look a way that makes you happy? Maybe people shouldn't have to cater to you. If you don't like it, Don't look!

if you don't like it, don't work

loombeav

I have tats on my wrist, shoulder, chest and foot. The only one that is usually visible while I'm at work is the one on my wrist. Although my company really couldn't care less. When I reach my 1/2 way goal I'm getting my nose pierced and when I asked my boss if it would be a problem her response was not at all.
I was a McDonald's manager for several years and they never had a problem with mine, but I do know other people that were made to cover theirs, either because they were very large or offensive.

subigirl

I have a back tat that certain tops will show (like the one I'm wearing today shows the top part of the tat). No one has ever said anything to me. Of course, being in ATX...."Keep Austin Weird" is what they say. I mean, I don't totally goth out for work, but typically have my dark makeup, ripped jeans, and combat boots on, and no one says anything to me. I do my job! I'm also not customer-facing...my job is totally behind the scenes. If I were customer-facing, they they probably would say something.

baddbob

It's pretty simple. If you want to limit your opportunities, get visible tattoos. If you don't want to work for companies that prohibit visible tattoos that's fine too. Just keep in mind, you've limited your opportunities. I know people who have had trouble getting jobs and have been passed over for promotions due to tattoos. They complain, but I remind them it was their choice and shouldn't place blame on anyone but themselves. I know lots of people who got visible tattoos years ago and are now having trouble finding jobs where they can make a decent living. They get angry at the world and the employers. They say its not fair that people judge them for their tattoos. You know....life isn't fair and you should never intentionally limit your opportunities.

Remember also, whether something is offensive varies greatly from person to person. Something that might not be offensive to you or "cool" to you or your friends could keep limit your earnings and employment potential. Again, your choice.

I am a Fortune 100 corporate executive and have plenty of tattoos, but when I am sitting in a board room or speaking at a conference in front of hundreds of people, you never see my tattoos. They are personal expressions which I consider art. My vanity or ego doesn't require that I show them off to everyone. I don't need the personal validation of someone saying, "nice ink" and get more satisfaction of them liking me for who I am and not my tattoos.

My recommendation is to only have them that can easily be covered up. Tattoos, like any other artform or fashion will eventually go our of style. Think to the future and make wise decisions, because your life will likely make many "track changes" over the years and you just don't want to limit your opportunities.

arc918

someday i hope body art will be included

its a matter of time my friend, trust me!

I'm not so sure.

Your tattoos are a choice you made, your gender is not. Right or wrong, employers may judge you for that choice.

You have the right to interview at Pricewaterhouse dressed as a purple dinosaur, and they have the right to not hire you.

Ireshgurl

I work on a military base in a military store. Tattoos are totally accepted. Weird color hair and piercings?? Not so much. Though no one every really notices the Playboy Bunny nose ring I wear every day, lmao.

aworkma6

I've never had a problem with my tattoos being shown in the workplace, but I'm still in school working hourly jobs. As a general rule of thumb, I cover up for interviews and always ask about the tattoo policy after I have been offered the job.

As for covering up at work, most of my tattoos are covered except for my chest piece if it pokes out of a v-neck or hoodie. I find it more comfortable that way because I am not constantly explaining my tattoos to my clients, haha!

jacquejl

I work at a restaurant with a gal who is a severe diabetic and wears an insulin pump. She has a medical symbol for diabetes tattooed on her wrist so if she were to pass out and an ambulance come to her rescue, they'd have a clue as to what's wrong with her. She is required by the restaurant to keep it covered. She responds with, "That's right, I wouldn't want my customers to be my first responders." (insert sarcasm). For the simple fact that it's a medical issue, I think the restaurant should allow it to show.

arc918

I was at Rubios (fast food place) the kid at the cash register had his ears plugged (gauged?), but he had the plugs out. I assume it was the policy of the business.

I would have much rather seen his plugs in than look at his big earlobes flopping around while I ordered my tacos.

aworkma6

Right?!

I feel the same way when I see employees having to cover their nose/eyebrow/lip ring with a bandaid.

Whoops! Sorry. That was to arc918. I fail at the internet.

lilRicki

It's pretty simple. If you want to limit your opportunities, get visible tattoos. If you don't want to work for companies that prohibit visible tattoos that's fine too. Just keep in mind, you've limited your opportunities. I know people who have had trouble getting jobs and have been passed over for promotions due to tattoos. They complain, but I remind them it was their choice and shouldn't place blame on anyone but themselves. I know lots of people who got visible tattoos years ago and are now having trouble finding jobs where they can make a decent living. They get angry at the world and the employers. They say its not fair that people judge them for their tattoos. You know....life isn't fair and you should never intentionally limit your opportunities.

Remember also, whether something is offensive varies greatly from person to person. Something that might not be offensive to you or "cool" to you or your friends could keep limit your earnings and employment potential. Again, your choice.

I am a Fortune 100 corporate executive and have plenty of tattoos, but when I am sitting in a board room or speaking at a conference in front of hundreds of people, you never see my tattoos. They are personal expressions which I consider art. My vanity or ego doesn't require that I show them off to everyone. I don't need the personal validation of someone saying, "nice ink" and get more satisfaction of them liking me for who I am and not my tattoos.

My recommendation is to only have them that can easily be covered up. Tattoos, like any other artform or fashion will eventually go our of style. Think to the future and make wise decisions, because your life will likely make many "track changes" over the years and you just don't want to limit your opportunities.

very well said.

MaximalLife

It's pretty simple. If you want to limit your opportunities, get visible tattoos. If you don't want to work for companies that prohibit visible tattoos that's fine too. Just keep in mind, you've limited your opportunities. I know people who have had trouble getting jobs and have been passed over for promotions due to tattoos. They complain, but I remind them it was their choice and shouldn't place blame on anyone but themselves. I know lots of people who got visible tattoos years ago and are now having trouble finding jobs where they can make a decent living. They get angry at the world and the employers. They say its not fair that people judge them for their tattoos. You know....life isn't fair and you should never intentionally limit your opportunities.

Remember also, whether something is offensive varies greatly from person to person. Something that might not be offensive to you or "cool" to you or your friends could keep limit your earnings and employment potential. Again, your choice.

I am a Fortune 100 corporate executive and have plenty of tattoos, but when I am sitting in a board room or speaking at a conference in front of hundreds of people, you never see my tattoos. They are personal expressions which I consider art. My vanity or ego doesn't require that I show them off to everyone. I don't need the personal validation of someone saying, "nice ink" and get more satisfaction of them liking me for who I am and not my tattoos.

My recommendation is to only have them that can easily be covered up. Tattoos, like any other artform or fashion will eventually go our of style. Think to the future and make wise decisions, because your life will likely make many "track changes" over the years and you just don't want to limit your opportunities.

^^^^^^^^
THIS

That's just reality. And it's the same for obese applicants as well. How we present ourselves has a huge baring on our level of success. The world may pretend to be accepting and tolerant, but it most assuredly is NOT!

rybo

I get annoyed that tattoos are often looked down upon in the workplace. To me that seems extremely trivial and judgemental of people.

I have 2, for the most part I can hide em, the one on my arm will peek out in some short sleeved shirts, but the one on my back you have to be looking down my shirt. If society (and my so called profession) wasn't full of so many uptight people, I'd have a more visible one on my underside forearm.