Having Tattoos In The Workplace

We all have been in that situation that requires us to be professional but also still show our personality. It is not easy trying to balance them either. One could decide to just be strictly professional or entirely show one’s personality. In some workplaces one needs to show clients one is always professional. Certain workplaces have dress codes and policies of what one can or cannot wear. Trying to figure out can be hard and sometimes impossible. This paper explains the nonverbal communication with the artifacts one wears. By looking at clothing and its purpose and what else it can bring to the table. Along with accessories and how they play a role in our image. Focusing on eye glasses and what they communicate to one’s co-workers. Then looking at how tattoos and piercings can affect our work environment.

Older generations tend to have a negative view on individuals with tattoos and piercings because, until recently, the only people who had tattoos and piercings were gang members, bikers or convicts (Swanger, 2006). According to Foltz (2014), some older generations have more negative mind sets of tattoos than the younger generation, because many people in the older generations feel that people with ink on their skin or studs on their face were less intelligent and less reliable then someone without tattoos or piercings. Another survey cited by McElroy, Moore and Summers (2013) found that 87% of human resource managers said they have negative views toward applicants with visible tattoos and piercings and that visible modifications are judged more harshly than non-visible even if it means just covering them

Tattoos have been around for quite some time now, and they have always been a symbol of belonging, cultural expression or for religion. These days, individuals choose to tattoo themselves because it is part of their lifestyle or personal image. While continuing to grow in popularity and becoming a lifestyle, people are facing issues with having visible tattoos in the workforce. Although it is a form of free expression, employers have a right to enforce certain rules about tattoos in their company because they have a public image to uphold. How you present yourself to the public is solely important, which is why tattoos should not be allowed to be seen in the workplace, since it may appear offensive or unconservative.

To begin with Leeanne Padowski talks about how tattooos can affect us in our works." A 2011 study by CareerBuilder shows that 31 percent of survey employers ranked having visible tattoo as the top personal attribute that would stop them from promoting an employee" having visible tattoos can stop employers to promote to a

A large number of businesses do not allow tattoos that are visible. Many also prohibit piercings, other than single earrings on women. Some industries even take their policies to the extreme of not allowing any tattoos that take up more than 25% of a body part, and if a pre-existing tattoo is too large or obscene, it must be removed (Powers). This even applies if a uniform can easily cover the tattooed area.

Only 32% of students surveyed in Arkansas, California, and Ohio believe that having visible tattoos would hinder a person’s chance of getting a job. (Bevill, Bracy, Dale, Glasgow, & Roach, 2009) It is just what they believe, not what is true.

Since I was a little girl, I have always admired the different ways people “decorate” their bodies: colored hair, make-up, piercings, and tattoos. Though some may be a tad bit outrageous for my taste, I always appreciated it. Piercings, though visible a majority of the times, are easily hidden. There are special piercing rings that are clear, so that they may not be seen if prohibited in a certain environment. Tattoos on the other hand are a much more complicated issue. Tattoos of coarse can be done in areas of the body where one can cover them up with clothing. But what about other areas not so easy to cover, areas such as; hands, neck, face, and arms. I have always been told that I must be careful where I

John Robert’s (2012) research divides the population into three categories: non-tattooed people, people with tattoos, and tattooed people. The difference between people with tattoos and tattooed people is relevant to the ability to easily conceal, cover, or hide the tattoo. People with tattoos have an easy time covering their body art with clothing; often being tattooed on the back, chest, rib cage, upper arm, or hip for example. Tattooed people often have their tattoos constantly on display in locations such as the hands, neck, or face. I felt a need to research the effect having tattoos really has on your ability to find a stable job after college, especially whenever the number of individuals with tattoos is

I only have my ear pierced and I do not have any tattoos, but I am very open and I have nothing against those who have it. However, I feel that it is okay to expose them depending on the type of setting or work you have. For instance, if you are working in a tattoo or piercing place, then it is okay to expose those piercing and tattoos. I do not really mind others' decorative body art. I think tattoos are okay if visible in the workplace, but not if they might be offensive to the general population. I have not seen any of my colleagues with tattoos, but that is because we all wear scrubs. Overall, it is fine to have tattoos at work as long it is not vulgar. Since I work in the hospital, it might not be a good idea to have multiple piercing

In order to make money, a company needs customers. In order to create customers, a company must not only sell a desirable product or service, but must also ensure that their potential customers feel safe and reassured. This can be something as small as a quality seal, and as large as a lifetime guarantee. However, one subject is still in debate: whether or not employees should be allowed to have visible tattoos when dealing with customers. Most companies will put regulations on them, or outright deny job applicants simply for having tattoos, claiming that they will scare away customers. However, this is rarely the case. Tattoos can actually make customers feel safer, and denying job applicants based on tattoos can be a great way to drive away talented people.

According to Lemma, tattoos have been around for over 5000 years now (149). Across the world today, there are several cultures that have used tattoos as a cultural identity tool, and at the same time, millions of people have been influenced to copy these cultures and get their tattoos inked onto their skin. However, some people get tattoos for beauty reasons, cult identity, for fantasy or just through peer pressure. Over the recent decades, tattoos have become an issue of controversy in some professions. While others feel that tattoos are not suitable for certain jobs, an almost equal number of others are against the idea. Those against tattoos at some workplaces cite professionalism, protection of the organization’s image and repute and the socio-cultural perception of tattoos. Those who are not against tattoos in the workplace argue that some people have cultures that need them to be inked and that tattooing is a form of freedom of expression. This paper argues that tattoos are not suitable for certain jobs.

So, welcoming a new worker with tattoos welcomes a vast group of diverse backgrounds. Also, not hiring someone due to tattoos can become a prejudice issue. Barrie Gross, Vice President of a Fortune 1000 company explains, “An interviewer who notices a tattoo on a man's arm may have no reaction... The same interviewer may have an adverse reaction if a tattoo is visible on a female applicant's ankle. In this situation, an employer can be exposed to liability for sex discrimination if the presence of the tattoo was an issue in making the hiring decision”. If employers decided to overlook tattooed appearances, they could potentially start tapping into a talent pool that would otherwise be passed up because of social stigmas. Considering sixty percent of adults are not tattooed, why shouldn’t the other forty that are be thrown into consideration? The past taboo of tattoos should be overlooked in the present day because diversity can make a company look and feel stronger, and tattoos do not damage or alter workplace

While in some cases, the opinion you get is the one you seek, it is overwhelmingly negative in most business environments. Despite the opinions of pop psychologists and business consulting gurus, rebels and freethinkers do not fare well in most business environments. A business owner or a company manager wants to work with people who can take directions and follow rules, who fit in and don’t make waves. Body art, however, screams, “I am different!”

This paper focuses on the subject of whether or not tattoos and piercings should be allowed in the workplace. There are a lot of resources arguing that they should not be allowed, but this research maintains the point that they should be more accepted in the workplace these days. This paper concludes by discussing how tattoos and piercings are much more of an artistic expression rather than a form of rebellion as it was once considered.

There are many employers that have the opinion that having visible tattoos is unacceptable for the professional work environment. Someone with a tattoo is seen as uneducated and possible dangerous. However, there is no solid evidence to support either of those beliefs. The stigma of sporting a visible tattoo has no validity. A person with tattoos is just as knowledgeable and capable of working as a non-tattooed person. Tattoos, whether visible or covered, do not change a person’s individual work ethic or how educated they are.