Tattoo acceptance in the work place?

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  • wolfsbayne
    wolfsbayne Posts: 3,116 Member
    I think some places discriminate.

    It's their company, they can call the shots. You may call it discrimnation. I call it the right to hire who they want and your right to work there if you so choose.

    but what you call it is so many more words

    No. If you don't agree with a policy, don't screem "DISCRIMNATION!!!" Soooo overplayed!

    Just for the record, I wasn't really screaming discrimination, nor would I ever. If my bosses ever asked me to cover my tattoos up, I would certainly comply or expect to find another job. Perhaps I used the wrong word in using discrimination.
  • _John_
    _John_ Posts: 8,646 Member
    I think any form of personal exrpession that reaches the level of "SAY SOMETHING MUTHA ******!" is something that en employer absolutely should be allowed to discriminate against...
  • Azexas
    Azexas Posts: 4,334 Member
    I have 4 tattoos- soon to be 5. I work as a registered nurse in group homes for developmentally disabled adults. In my work place tattoos are pretty accepted as long as they are not obscene or offensive. Mine are in places that I can cover up if I have to though.
  • OllyReeves
    OllyReeves Posts: 579 Member
    [/quote]
    they aren't saying you can't apply...

    they are saying you can apply and you will get the job based on your qualifications but you will cover up to project a professional atmosphere...

    tattoos don't prevent you from GETTING a job...no one EVER said that...but they can ask you to be discreet with them...THAT is not alienating your rights...you can have them...no one will say you can't have them...

    but you may be asked to cover them...at that point...you choose...work for them or no.
    [/quote]

    That's pretty much it, I think. We can all go home. That should be a quote but It didn't work right
  • _crafty_
    _crafty_ Posts: 1,682 Member
    I have a few. I work in a hospital and no, I do not feel they change they way I am perceived. I do not have to hide them, the hospital's policy is as long as they are not offensive they can be visible; I simply choose not to wear polos or short sleeve shirts. I do not feel I've ever been discriminated against because of my ink, either. If anybody judges me based on my tattoos then they are not worth giving a **** about anyway.

    I'm judging you AND your tattoos . . . sexy as hell :love:

    None of my current tattoos or piercings are visible. It just isn't acceptable in my line of work. My office is corporate and conservative. Would I like to have ink/piercings in more visible places? Of course. I wish I saw my them more than when I'm changing clothes or rolling around naked with my BF but I love my career too. I've considered shoulder and leg tattoos in the past but having them wouldn't be worth being restricted as to what I could wear 5 days a week. I like to wear skirts and sleeveless tops.

    Employers have every right to expect a certain outward appearance from their employees. If you want to have visible ink/piercings then find a job that allows them or be willing to meet the dress requirements in order to have them but keep them covered.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I do need to say that I have no problems with tats and tats in the workplace. . My issue is the rights of companies to set their own policlies. Stop screaming discrimination if something doesn't go your way.

    Yeah...well I want to wear flip-flops and go shirtless and wear my bike shorts to my client meeting this afternoon...but my frackin' discriminatory boss tells me I need to wear a suit and tie...and to not stink from my planned 15 mile ride at lunch (which means I'm going to have to take a shower and stuff)...and I almost forgot, he wants me sober and stuff which means my liquid lunch is out...

    Fracking discrimination I tell you...that *kitten* won't let me do what I want...doesn't he know that I just need to be me and I need to express myself, regardless of whether I'm on company time or not?
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  • wolfsbayne
    wolfsbayne Posts: 3,116 Member
    This is a legit question. If you have tatoos, can you get MRI's? I had an MRI recently and they asked me about that.

    I've had an MRI with my tattoos. So, yes.
  • GothyFaery
    GothyFaery Posts: 762 Member
    This is a legit question. If you have tatoos, can you get MRI's? I had an MRI recently and they asked me about that.

    Older tattoo ink used to contain metals in it. Some homemade ink still does but it's against the FDA. New ink (as of the last 30 years or more) is perfectly safe for an MRI.
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    I have 20 plus tattoos and work in a very professional environment. I am the Executive Assistant at an IT company here in California. It's a small company so while primarily I am the "assistant" I also handle all the Receptionist duties and Office Manager duties. My tattoo's are NEVER visible at work and the owner's have made it apparent it's not acceptable but I work with it. Luckily I'm in an air conditioned office so I don't mind that I have to wear long sleeves year round. I have been discriminated against since I first got tattoos, but I hardly even notice it anymore.

    It's not discrimination when it's your choice. Discrimination only covers issues that are NOT your choice, such as skin color, age, and sexual orientation, my dear. If you choose to get a visible tattoo, you accept the risk that some employers might choose not to hire you, or require you to cover them up.
  • HermioneDanger118
    HermioneDanger118 Posts: 345 Member
    I have a book tattoo on my left shoulder and a branch of cherry blossoms on my right foot. The shoulder one never really shows, but I'm usually in sandals or ballet flats in the spring/summer/early fall. I'm a social worker, and I found that people who wouldn't normally talk to me open up when they see the tattoo. It has turned out to be a good conversation starter, and then they talk about their own and why they got it/them. I haven't had any problems with it so far in my company, especially since it aids in rapport-building.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Hi everyone -

    Just curious as to how many people on here have tattoos. What do you do for a living and do your tattoos affect how you are treated/perceived in the workplace? Do you have to hide them, or are they out in the open? Do you think you've ever been discriminated against because of your ink?

    I have them. One I never show, two that are commonly seen during the summers when I switch from jeans to shorts. Being in the creative field, good ink is enjoyed. In fact, I'd be wary of a creative who lacked ink, or had a lot of terrible ink.
  • TaintedVampyre
    TaintedVampyre Posts: 1,428 Member
    Single tattoo - wrist. I'm a librarian and my workplace has never said a thing.
    I had once gone to apply for a job a while back and on the application it asked if you had any tattoos.. actually the rule was you couldn't. It was weird, I walked out.
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    If someone applies for work and I see a tattoo or earring they don't get hired, period. My company and my rules. If you have tats located where normal dress has them covered thats fine.
  • GuyIncognito123
    GuyIncognito123 Posts: 263 Member
    Tattoo's IMO look dirty and a complete turn off.

    I was in a fish and chips place where the cooks serve you and this guy had some gross tattoo on the top of his hand. Needless to say, I haven't gone back there.

    If you are working with the public - cover them up not everyone shares your views thinking they are art or attractive.
  • BrainyBurro
    BrainyBurro Posts: 6,129 Member
    people with Raiders tattoos should be discriminated against. always. :angry:

    raiders-logo-tattoo-on-head.jpg

    Go Broncos!
  • bashful817
    bashful817 Posts: 8 Member
    Hi there!
    I just had one done this month on the inside of my wrist and so far so good. I work at a school district in administration. I guess I could hide it with long sleeves, but I'm in Florida :-) I think tattoos are much more common place now. Best!
  • JeremyMerrin
    JeremyMerrin Posts: 20 Member
    This is a legit question. If you have tatoos, can you get MRI's? I had an MRI recently and they asked me about that.

    Absolutely. I think they are asking for how recent it is as it may affect the result. I have 2 (1 is pictured to the left) and have had 4 MRI's due to 3 recent back surgeries.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    I think some places discriminate.

    It's their company, they can call the shots. You may call it discrimnation. I call it the right to hire who they want and your right to work there if you so choose.

    So according to this, a company can decide to not hire African Americans and that's not discrimnation?
    Don't be silly. Race is protected. If you wish to have tattoos fine but take into account that not everyone like your choice in body art. the same way not everyone wont like your choice in clothes. In a lot of jobs you wear a uniform to portray an image covering up body art may also be part of that image. I find it rather pathetic that people want to compare themselves with the fight for racial equality because they are asked to cover up some tattoos.

    Not saying tattoos are equal to race equality. Tattoos are a choice that you have to live with. Race is not something you have any choice in. But there is only one word to adequately describe not hiring people with tattoos because you don't like tattoos and that word is discrimination.

    What happens when those tattoos are related to race, religion and culture? For example, maori face tattoos. At that point discriminating against the ink is also racial discrimination.
  • OllyReeves
    OllyReeves Posts: 579 Member
    This just occurred to me: What about bad tattoos? Cos there is an awful lot of HORRIFIC ink out there.....anyone ever been told that tattoos in general are fine...but yours stink...NEXT!
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    I wouldn't hire a tattooed person for my company, I feel it sends the wrong image.

    I.C.E. Cream Official Tester
    IKEA Professional Put Together-er
    Kickboxing Class Attender
    Been in fitness for about 2 years and have studied kinesiology, nutrition and Dinosaurs

    :huh:
  • romanaXOX
    romanaXOX Posts: 400 Member
    When I applied for my job, I had my hair down during the interview. They loved me! everything was perfect. I was basically hired.

    They handed me their uniform policy booklet so I would know what to wear when I had my first day and it stated that no employees could have visible tattoos. My tattoo is on my neck and during daily life when my hair is down you would never know that it exists. However since I work in a restaurant setting my hair is always tied up. I had to meet with the GM, the head of HR, have them contact head office and ask for an exception all because of an image of a shooting star.

    The frustrating thing is that I could tell that they themselves didn't believe in the policy them selves. It was a rule that someone made sitting at head office somewhere, that doesn't understand just how much of the hiring pool they could really be eliminating.

    In past jobs, my tattoos have been a conversation piece and a way to connect with guests in the restaurant if THEY chose to bring it up. And never has anyone ever been offended by a shooting star.
  • nonstopper
    nonstopper Posts: 1,108 Member
    I have my daughters name on my leg and my arm tattoo thats shoulder to my forearm. Which shows a bit here at work. Im a car salesman for Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM. Also I keep my studs in my ears too. Along with my finance manager. Some of us here have tats on our arms, but it doesn't seem to bother anyone. :glasses:
  • moosegt35
    moosegt35 Posts: 1,296 Member
    I think some places discriminate.

    It's their company, they can call the shots. You may call it discrimnation. I call it the right to hire who they want and your right to work there if you so choose.

    So according to this, a company can decide to not hire African Americans and that's not discrimnation?

    Do you know what protected classes are?
  • craftergin
    craftergin Posts: 25 Member
    I work in a university library - anything goes!
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    Honestly I think a lot of it depends on your field, industry, company, etc. Geographical location probably plays a role too.

    Where I live and work, people are definitely frowned upon in white collar jobs for having visible tattoos. I cover mine at work, period. Even though my tattoos are smallish and non-offensive, I'm not prepared to deal with any issues in the workplace over them.

    While I think capri pants are kind of cheesy, a few years ago they were very popular and I wore them sometimes at work in my professional job. Even though 90% of the staff members my age or younger had tattoos, the organization I worked for had a huge smackdown about it and no more capris were allowed...even if they were worn with very dressy and coordinated outfits.

    My ex husband had a very small tattoo on his neck, and he CONSTANTLY had issues with that. He worked for a convenience store chain for many years and worked his way up to manager and loss prevention manager and so on...at one point he was up for a bigger promotion and they seriously told him that he might want to consider having the tattoo removed because it was one of the main reasons he wasn't selected (!) Years before that, when he was like 20, he worked at Toys R Us and they would not let him on the sales floor due to the neck tat. He had to stay in back assembling toys and bikes (suited him fine, but still). Again, it was really small...it was stupid Kanji...it wasn't a swastika or anything...
  • MzMellowD
    MzMellowD Posts: 1 Member
    I work in a bank and it is against policy to have visiible tattoos, even if we don't work the public directly. i pull my sleeves up all the time or wear short sleeves so tattoos on my wrist show... I am so rebeliuos! HA!
  • Pirate_chick
    Pirate_chick Posts: 1,216 Member
    I have three, I am legal office manager. Two on my back and one on the back of my neck. I got an eyebrow raise, and a "why would you do that?" regarding my neck tattoo it's =] but virtical, with vampire fangs.