Throughout my childhood, adults have always “warned” me about tattoos. They would say things like, “be careful where you place tattoos because it could determine if you get that job or not” or “tattoos are so unprofessional, if you’re planning on doing big things with your life just don’t get a tattoo”. These are statements that I have always heard when growing up in an environment where tattoos were accepted, but not so much for our working and learning environments. Why is it that we live in a society where tattoos are no longer “taboo” yet in some workplaces it is still seen as unprofessional to have tattoos visible?
I am currently 18 years old, and I have been working since I was 14 years old, and out of the 4 jobs I have worked so far, only one company was opposed to visible tattoos and piercings in the work place, which happened to be quite difficult since it was working as a lifeguard. Their reasoning for this policy was so we could be approachable to children at the pool, which seems quite strange to me, since so many people in our society today have at least one tattoo. And the norm today is tattoos. Usually tattoos are beautiful or exquisite pieces of artwork that have a very personal meaning to the person wearing it, and why would a young child be afraid to approach a girl with a dreamcatcher on her ribcage, or a young man with a bible verse on his chest?
Of course, if you went back 20 years, the policy would be relevant and make sense, because tattoos were
In my opinion, tattoos can have significant meaning. It is understood that some people have gang related or derogatory art, however, a good portion of them are related to something that once happened in somebody’s life. Businesses
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
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.
These jobs include healthcare, administrative, teachers, government, law enforcement and management. These jobs are professionals and are trying to set a good example for the upcoming generations. These jobs you may have tattoos or piercings but they must be hidden. Being in the healthcare industry, if you were to get a new tattoo you could push getting an infection or giving an infection in your place of work such as in a hospital or nursing home. Being in law enforcement having piercings can be dangerous because suspects can pull them out and can cause them harm. Teachers with tattoos can be “distracting for students” or parents think that they will set a bad example for their children
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
People feel that there is no way that you can have job if you have tattoos. Some people will take people with tattoos less seriously if they have tattoos seeing them as childish or naïve. To back up these accusations, here is a quote: “No matter how much meaning they have for the owner, they are just not attractive nor professional looking. It does affect my decision-making process when hiring.” Emily Olson, who was a bus girl at a restaurant in Wisconsin, was great at her job. Her employer promised to give her a promotion when she turned eighteen, which would take her from a busser to a waitress where she could earn more money. On her eighteenth
Introduction: Is there anyone here that does not like tattoos or likes them, but would never think of getting one? Today, tattoos are a growing in popularity when before tattoos were only seen on people in a circus as an act or on military veterans who wanted to display their troop proudly. Even though there is this growing popularity of tattoos, entry-level jobs require strict dress code policies disapproving the sight of tattoos while at work.
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
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.