Importance Of 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.

Are tattoos in the workplace a distraction? Some people agree and some disagree. Are tattoos just something that people get for attention? Sally Pearman once said, “I think that there is a different perception of people with alternative looks in the workplace.” There seems to be more behind tattoos that people do not see. Some specific jobs do not allow visible body art while doing business because it can affect their company in a negative way. Specifically, in the police force, it all depends on the city or state your department is located and their guidelines. I am writing to you to explain the good value behind body art.

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.

it’s not always just a body modification, it is sometimes more than that. For military families or those with deceased relatives, tattoos are placed on a person’s body as a remembrance or honor to their loved ones. It’s a permanent tombstone the person carries on their body. Employers should not discriminate against something that has such a deep meaning behind what is easily seen on the outside. Employees shouldn’t be forced to cover up something they truly desire and cherish on their

People who have tattoos or piercings should not be denied jobs. For an example, the persons tattoos or piercings may define their characteristics or personality. A person may have a tattoo sleeves that symbolizes a band, a family member or an object that they like. Piercings however can be all over a person’s body and they might like the placements of their piercings. At this point, discussions between the customers and employees on tattoos and piercings are being made. These discussions can range between “Why did the person decide to get a tattoo or piercing?” or “Does the employee really think they are going to qualify for the job because of those things?” According to Andrea Johnstone and Laurel Buskirk, editors of an article called “Tattoo, body piercings rules can lead to discrimination claim,” the reason why companies have policies that ban tattoos, piercings and other body modification is to maintain a dress code and other appearance requirements (29A). If tattoos define an employee’s characteristics or personality and can be used as a discussion topic between the employee and customers, then people who have tattoos

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.

In Jon Kelly’s article he brings more information on the stance taken against tattoos in the work place by potential employers. Kelly discusses how employers tend to discriminate

Unfortunately, in the business world, most executives do not believe there is such a thing as a tasteful tattoo and see them as a sign of rebellion. Some people may argue that tattoos in the workplace are inappropriate, unprofessional, and even distracting. Although tattoos are not respected by certain demographics and may

While tattoos have become more and more acceptable over the years, the question still lies on whether tattoos or any other kind of body modifications in the workplace should be allowed. It's beyond easy to make cases showing the negative impacts of discrimination against tattoos and piercings in the workplace. Plastic surgery, drawing on your eyebrows, getting fake nails, and coloring your hair are also examples of body modifications. Though not everyone agrees with or thinks they’re beautiful, employees are not told to cover up these modifications. Tattoos and piercings are purely another form of beautification and what makes each person their own unique individual. Beauty is personal.

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.

People argue that tattoos should never be shown in a professional setting. Most places of employment even have a dress code that requires you to cover them while working. Employers, in some settings, say that tattoos would or could be offensive or obscene. It was hard to find any article that was against tattoos in the workplace. After a while of searching the internet and databases, I found an article titled “Tattoos in the Workplace: The Research Forbes Was Too Lazy To Do” by Annie Singer. Written on February 26, 2016 and updated February 26, 2017, Singer’s research found that “consumers showed a preference for non-tattooed front-line staff.” She also found that “visible tattoos had a predominantly negative effect on employment selection, driven by the hiring manager’s

Although there are people who are quick to judge and view tattoos in a bad light, there are also the people who keep an open mind and see it for the art that it is. Tattoos have become an up and coming trend leaving employers less likely to have tattoos. Many employees, being the heart of the modern day generation, have tattoos due to the increasing trend.

The art of tattoos has been prevalent in many ancient cultures and represented many different things. In the more recent past times, tattoos were seen in a very negative light; mainly associated with circus freak shows, bikers or outlaws. Even though there are more Americans getting tattoos these days, there is still a disapproving view on tattoos in the workplace. Tattoos are continuously becoming more popular with each generation and more often have some personal meaning. Many companies that have recently started to accept appropriate body art in the workplace have seen positive benefits related to their new policy changes. This debate has also led people to file discrimination lawsuits against their employer. There are occasions that the subject matter or the placement of a tattoo on the body may not be professional for certain types of jobs. With the growing number of people that have body art, the more personal meaning behind it and younger demographics of both people working for and being served by many companies these days, having visible tattoos should no longer be damaging among many careers today. The debate needs to be evaluated by each company, and often each individual situation, to determine if body art can be accepted.

Tattoos and piercing have become increasingly more common over the years. Obvious issues within the workplace have surfaced. Some would argue that tattoos and piercings in the workplace are inappropriate,

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.