Tattoos in the work place.
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I am employed by a very conservative company in the midwest but I work for a community foundation. (It's complicated). The official ruling in the offices is no visible tattoos, no facial piercings. My tattoo is on my torso so no worries of it showing, but I do have my nose pierced. I put in a clear stud for the interview not knowing how my boss would feel about it but I've been wearing a rhinestone stud since I started in October and no one has said anything to me, not even the president or CEO of the company. It's fairly small, and I figure the old conservatives that I deal with are half-blind and won't be able to see it anyway. On the weekends I wear a hoop but I wouldn't push the limits at work because that one IS obvious. I like doing small things that can change people's perceptions of tattoos and piercings. I'm pretty clean cut and professional but I have a tattoo and facial piercing, it can be disorienting when you aren't expecting it.0
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tattoos in the workplace should be mandatory everywhere.
Just sayin'.
lol unless they made you get a company one, no thanks! All my ink is hidden and I get the "you don't look like someone who has tattoos" a lot, whatever that is supposed to mean. I work in a restaurant front on the house people have to cover up but back of the house has more freedom because we don't directly deal with customers.0 -
I think for professional reasons you shouldn't have tattoos that go past the shirt sleeve.
Me personally I don't care where you get your tattoos just like I said it's just precaution advice.0 -
I work in IT and business, visible tattoos are a HUGE no-no in my opinion. I don't care if you get tattoos, I have one that I wish I had never gotten, but I personally don't like them. Regardless of my personal opinion though, they aren't accepted in the business community and getting something visible (tattoo or gauging your ears or nose rings, etc...) shows me that you have poor judgement if this is the environment you want to work in. It's just a matter of knowing where you are going to be working and what's acceptable and visible tattoos are not something that is acceptable in a business community and getting them and wanting to work in this environment shows me you aren't forward thinking.
I think there is a boundary when it comes to piercings and tattoos in a business environment. They should be tasteful and not overdone. I think one lip ring, one nose ring, tattoos on the arms, legs, torsos are acceptable if you present yourself in a professional manner. Wearing clean, ironed business attire, keeping your hair groomed, not slouching or using slang, curse words etc. But if you have an extreme number of facial/ear peircings, too large of gauges, tattoos covering your hands, neck, face, etc. then that is a professional boundary that you have crossed. You can't always play to other people's rules because then society and humanity will fail to grow. But you also need to know the acceptable limits. Knowing when pushing the limit becomes crossing the line.0 -
Also, I don't know if it's just me, but I would never EVER turn down a good opportunity because I'd have to cover the one tattoo that shows. If someone wanted to hire me, pay me 18 bucks an hour, and had room for advancement, but wanted me to keep my wrist tat covered? Bet your sweet *kitten* I'm keeping that ****er covered! lol0
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I work in IT and business, visible tattoos are a HUGE no-no in my opinion. I don't care if you get tattoos, I have one that I wish I had never gotten, but I personally don't like them. Regardless of my personal opinion though, they aren't accepted in the business community and getting something visible (tattoo or gauging your ears or nose rings, etc...) shows me that you have poor judgement if this is the environment you want to work in. It's just a matter of knowing where you are going to be working and what's acceptable and visible tattoos are not something that is acceptable in a business community and getting them and wanting to work in this environment shows me you aren't forward thinking.
I think there is a boundary when it comes to piercings and tattoos in a business environment. They should be tasteful and not overdone. I think one lip ring, one nose ring, tattoos on the arms, legs, torsos are acceptable if you present yourself in a professional manner. Wearing clean, ironed business attire, keeping your hair groomed, not slouching or using slang, curse words etc. But if you have an extreme number of facial/ear peircings, too large of gauges, tattoos covering your hands, neck, face, etc. then that is a professional boundary that you have crossed. You can't always play to other people's rules because then society and humanity will fail to grow. But you also need to know the acceptable limits. Knowing when pushing the limit becomes crossing the line.
I don't disagree with you that someone can have what you mention and be professional. But my clients might disagree with you and if I can't send you out on an engagement and make you billable because of whatever outdated or conservative opinions they may have then I can't hire you. It's honestly no different than if you were to come to an interview in shorts and a t-shirt, it shows me that you aren't really serious about working in the industry I work in. I hope in time that will change, but until then you have to conform to what the standards of the most conservative of businesses/offices if you don't want to put hurdles in your way.0 -
I've worked in places were all ink had to be covered and the only piercings allowed were small single ear ones. Now, I work mainly from home, but I do a few hours at a large retail store and at a Harley dealership. Obviously, my tattoos are no big thing at the Harley dealer, but there's still a dress code at the retail store. I'm technically supposed to cover my arm tattoo, but no one enforces it. Not to mention there's a ton of exposed ink. They still get fussy with piercings.
It doesn't really bug me. It's their sandbox.
No one, to my knowledge has complained about my ink. I *do* get people reaching out and touching me and moving my sleeve up to see what I have without asking, which is a little annoying.0 -
I work at a job that doesn't discriminate against tattoos. Hell, I can work with my ear pincher/plugs in. Or as some people call them "gauges". I've had guests compliment my art work and ask if I planned on going bigger on my ears. I always tell them I'm satisfied with how they are. I'm at a 2G pincher, and I think it looks fine the way it is.
The thing is I got lucky with this job. I'm lucky that tattoos are not viewed as criminal here.
What I don't understand is companies will hire drugheads, people with no common sense or morals and people who are just unfit for work mentally, yet if you have a visible tattoo, it's obviously going to affect your performance. For Gods' sake what is the issue with ink being on your skin especially if it means something to you?
I feel the saying, "Judge a book not by it's cover, but by what the pages tell you" has no true meaning anymore.
I understand people want you to look professional and all, but I can easily do that as seen in one of my pictures (disregarding the cigarette hanging out of my mouth).
There is honestly nothing unprofessional about a tattoo. I can guarantee that, unless the tattoo is of a child before slaughtered by a cow for revenge. Get real, people.
How professional are drug needle track marks on an arm? How professional is someone bringing their children to the work place because the childs' father is too busy off having relations with her family members?
Anyways, the point of this thread before I got heated up by the thought of this was this.
Are your tattoos allowed to show in your line of work?
What compliments/complaints have you received about your artwork?
PS: Apologies for the rant. I just feel for the people who have to hide their skin stories.
I'd say sticking large metal objects into your head doesn't exactly scream common sense.
Most companies want workers that represent the company in a clean professional manner, not people who self mutilate for attention.0 -
I work for a business unit in broadcast television. I'm at the global head quarters so its super corporate and tattoos and piercings are frowned upon in the executive floors. I basically have a half sleeve on my upper left arm and the tail of the koi peeks out on casual Friday. I see some of the same executives at the corporate gym so they know I have ink.. they just don't want to see it on the office floor. I know a couple of guys have full sleeves and they have to wear long sleeve shirts even in the summer. One of the girls had to always wear scarfs or turtle necks, or have her hair cover a tat on her neck.
I don't see what the big deal is... everybody has tats now a days, they're an expression of personality.. not a gang affiliation.
But I can understand the discomfort of a business having representatives with ink everywhere and/or with large piercings. Business is all bout image so it's just good risk management to keep that out. I think if you're making a choice to work in the business sector, very visible piercings and tats are probably not the best choice.0 -
I'm in the military, almost everyone is tattooed we don't need to hide ours but we do have rules that say they can't be offensive and that we should consult with our officers in charge before getting our face tattooed.
Not sure what branch you're in, but tattoos are not to be visible while in dress uniform.0 -
My job: client service coordinator for in home health care for seniors.
What I do: I interview, screen, hire and train caregivers/C.N.A's to take care of these seniors/ and manage all schedules
Rule in our industry: cover up the tattoos. Most seniors do not know about this whole "tattoo/piercing" generation and they don't like it, therefore if there are all these tattoos and piercings that cannot be covered it’s going to be VERY hard for me to place this person. It says nothing on how well they may do in the position...they may be the best caregiver in the world...but seniors don't see it that way, they go by appearances and we as a company that provides those services have to respect the clients wants and needs and hire for the demand.0 -
At the moment I have 3, one on my wrist (I get lots of questions about it), one on my ankle (most people compliment the colors) and one on my back. I work in a professional environment and have been fortunate that none have made any negative comments. During the summer months I will wear sleeveless and parts of my back tat show, but most of the time it just starts conversations IF it is noticed.0
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I have two tattoos. And I believe (not sure) tattoos are allowed in our work. I work at the hospital. Yeah, I know. Suprisingly enough, I have seen people walk around with tatoos showing, so I am assuming it is ok. I haven't been here for long. But my previous jobs, as working in a radiology clinic and another hospital we could not show our tattoos.
My Opinion? I guess I do agree, tatoos do not look professional. And I am sure just one or two may look ok but, how can you tell one person their tattoo is ok but the other person that has a sleeve of tattoos that they have to cover it up?
Recently they discussed police officers / prison guards having tattoos. I agree police officers should have their tattoos covered as well. Prison guards could get thier inmates riled up about certain tats.
Tattoos are fine with me and I would actually like to get another one. But, I do understand why they are prohibited from certain businesses and I believe 100% the businesses have every right to tell you to hide them.0 -
I'm in the military, almost everyone is tattooed we don't need to hide ours but we do have rules that say they can't be offensive and that we should consult with our officers in charge before getting our face tattooed.
Not sure what branch you're in, but tattoos are not to be visible while in dress uniform.
Ya not sure about the whole face thing....bc I know the Marine Corps you can not have anything past your elbows unless you were "grandfathered" in. With the deserts they used to roll the sleeves so they did not want to see any tattoos.0 -
While I don't have any tattoos (...yet), I completely agree with you. Most jobs I've had (with the exception of two) always have had a no visible tattoos/piercings and no "unnatural" hair colours policy. It also made me really angry as I'm a very dependable and hard working person and yet somehow if I have my piercings in, I'm unprofessional and unworthy of the job. I see people who come into work with dirty/messy hair or not dressed in proper uniform and they give me criticism for wearing non-obtrusive jewelry. Silliness is what it is :grumble: 0
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My tattoos are covered, my nose is pierced. I work at a pet store, so there isn't any issues...the owner has tattoos on his neck and all over his arms. Even when I worked in an office, nobody cared about tattoos.0
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I work in the action sports industry...
if you don't have a tattoo - you pretty much don't really belong
Is there such a thing as a non action sport? :huh:
golf?
Not a sport I play but I think you are supposed to swing the club.
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When I was a holiday rep we had to have ours covered, I was ok, at the time mine were all hidden anyway but some people were made to wear long sleeved polyerster shirts/plasters/tube grips in 45degree heat. The thing with this is the holiday makers would say things like "oh my are you ok what have you done?" and you then explained the policy of no tattoo, they would laugh.
Where I am now my new one is rarely seen, especially in this weather, they are my choice but as the community here is very modest I wouldn't walk about flaunting them anyway.
Although I have them I think the "if they aren't offensive" rule is very hard to police, what's offensive to some might not be to others. Plus I quite like the fact that mine are for me and the select people I chose to show. I do love seeing tatts though, would never be offended being servedby/doing business with someone covered head to toe0 -
I've always said I'd rather hang out in a biker bar with a bunch of burly guys with tons of tattoos, than in a bar with a bunch of men in suits. At least with the biker dudes, I know who I'm dealing with. The same goes for the workplace. (on a side note, I've worked for the military - lots of tats; and in a corporate law offe - no tats allowed - which is where I came to my above theory! Suits can cover up a LOT of creepyness! :laugh: )0
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I've only ever had one job where they asked me to remove my nose piercing - cashiering at Walmart.
When I was a student teacher, I took it out because I didn't want to be hypocritical. School rules say they can't have piercings, so I take mine out (which is amusing considering I student taught at the school I went to... and had my nose pierced my senior year).
My two office jobs though, have never said anything about my nose piercing. Their handbooks both state no piercings or visible tattoos, but whatever, I sit in an office all day, who is going to see it. I think that's their thoughts as well.
Being a teaching assistant at the University - they don't care at ALL. Just as long as we teach haha.0 -
It does seem to be getting more accepted, but it's still a royal pain in the [expletive deleted].
I have a fairly large one on my forearm and, luckily, my current employer doesn't make me cover it up. I've had bosses in the past, however, that have tried making me cover it. But when summer rolls around, I get warm and basically tell them where to stick it if they try to give me grief over it. Dunno how the boss is gonna feel when I start working on my sleeves though... I'm not allowed to have any facial piercings besides my nose though, which sucks cause I really want a Monroe....
It's art. It's not a swastika, it's not a naked girl with her legs splayed, it's not a child being slaughtered before a cow. It's a dagger and a quote from Hamlet.... If people are offended, maybe they should just stay home cause there are a lot worse things out in the world than people with tattoos.
I'm also at a 2G in my ears (but they look like a 0G cause of the giant flares on the plugs) and my co-workers are always like, "I don't get that. That's gross." I've been so temped to say something catty, lik, "Yeah, well I think the fact that you had someone cut open your chest and insert blobs of goo so your t**s look bigger is gross. Let's keep sharing unsolicited opinions, shall we?"
RANT! Semi-complete.... I could srsly go on all day hah...
body art 0 -
I work in a Surgeon's office as a receptionist...have for about 12 years....during this time I got my nose pierced, and all 5 ( soon to be 6) of my tattoo's..... 3 of my tattoos are visible....two on the underside of my wrists, one on my upper back below the neck if my hair is up.... I also have Manic Panic vampire red streaks in my hair, and at one point, had dark purple. One of our triage nurses in her 50's loved the purple so much she added a nice streak to her silver. She meets with patients and the surgeons on a daily basis face to face.
It is a professional workplace and the bottom line has always been, as long as we conduct ourselves in a professional manner, don't come in dressed like a bum... no one cares! I am very thankful for this. Another medical facility I applied for a job for was very different and I am grateful I didn't get that job. My job is a means of making a living, but I can still be myself. Places that restrict people from being who they are are rediculous in my opinion. Creative expression should not be put down simply because we have to be in our workplace for 40 hours or so of our life every week.
I have also seen Doctors and nurses in my facility with tattoos and piercings. They are always tasteful and the providers look professional. True, there may be a percentage of patients that are taken aback by this, but in this day and age there are also many more who are put more at ease with providers and staff they feel they can connect with.
:bigsmile:0 -
we are allowed to at my work, my only one that is visible almost always is on my arm, but there are people that I work with that have weird piercings (forhead, cheeks, ect), gauged ears, half their head shaved with purple hair.0
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True, there may be a percentage of patients that are taken aback by this, but in this day and age there are also many more who are put more at ease with providers and staff they feel they can connect with.
:bigsmile:
I toooootally agree with this!! Personally, I'd rather have a hot doc with tattoos than someone completely pristine and....undecorated. People with art on them seem to have more personality (this is me being shallow, btw) so I feel more comfortable with them.0 -
True, there may be a percentage of patients that are taken aback by this, but in this day and age there are also many more who are put more at ease with providers and staff they feel they can connect with.
:bigsmile:
I toooootally agree with this!! Personally, I'd rather have a hot doc with tattoos than someone completely pristine and....undecorated. People with art on them seem to have more personality (this is me being shallow, btw) so I feel more comfortable with them.
It depends on the tattoo. I don't want to see this on my surgeon's arm before I go under.
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And I don't want to see a chef with this tattoo either.
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I work in a Surgeon's office as a receptionist...have for about 12 years....during this time I got my nose pierced, and all 5 ( soon to be 6) of my tattoo's..... 3 of my tattoos are visible....two on the underside of my wrists, one on my upper back below the neck if my hair is up.... I also have Manic Panic vampire red streaks in my hair, and at one point, had dark purple. One of our triage nurses in her 50's loved the purple so much she added a nice streak to her silver. She meets with patients and the surgeons on a daily basis face to face.
It is a professional workplace and the bottom line has always been, as long as we conduct ourselves in a professional manner, don't come in dressed like a bum... no one cares! I am very thankful for this. Another medical facility I applied for a job for was very different and I am grateful I didn't get that job. My job is a means of making a living, but I can still be myself. Places that restrict people from being who they are are rediculous in my opinion. Creative expression should not be put down simply because we have to be in our workplace for 40 hours or so of our life every week.
I have also seen Doctors and nurses in my facility with tattoos and piercings. They are always tasteful and the providers look professional. True, there may be a percentage of patients that are taken aback by this, but in this day and age there are also many more who are put more at ease with providers and staff they feel they can connect with.
:bigsmile:
no offense, but you have been a receptionist for 12 years and you don't think your ink may be holding you back?
edit- also, i'm not at work to "Express myself", I'm at work to make a living, pay my mortgage and support my child. Better job = Better Income
While I agree money isnt everything, would you go to work if you weren't being paid to be there? No? So yeah, money is the motivation behind working for most. Not to "express yourself" while doing admin work.0 -
no offense, but you have been a receptionist for 12 years and you don't think your ink may be holding you back?
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Although I have them I think the "if they aren't offensive" rule is very hard to police, what's offensive to some might not be to others.
DING DING DING DING DING DING
This is why businesses that have policies have blanket policies.
Tell her what she's won, Johnny!0 -
I work in a primary school and I normally keep covered up (a back piece and a half sleeve). However if it's a particularly hot day (not that often here in UK) I will wear a short sleeve t-shirt and I've had no complaints yet. It's actually quite funny when I see any of the kids or their parents out of school... I'm always told I don't look like I should have tattoos (not yet asked anyone what they mean by that).0
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