Tattoos in the workplace?

[skittledoo]

Meh, if someone doesn't want to hire me based on the fact that I have tattoos then that's their loss IMO. I'm friendly, a hard worker and I'm dedicated to my job. I have a harder time covering oh my chest piece but I can cover my arms if I have to. It would make for miserable summers though. I'm glad that having tattoos doesn't seem to be too much of a deal breaker in the dog job industry at least since that's my career path.

 

[k9krazee]

Different jobs, different dress codes. It might be a little outdated, but there are certain professions (catholic school teacher included) that tattoos, in my opinion, should be covered.

My tattoo is on my shoulder and in the town that I live (and work), it is covered 100% of the time. I don't go out with sleeveless shirts or dresses, and I even try to avoid pictures of it on social media. Because my work is so heavily involved with the people where I live, it wouldn't be appropriate--even if the tattoo was something like a paw print or a butterfly. My shoes also have to be shined and my suit coat on at all time. No facial hair for men. No visible tattos or piercings. All part of the dress code.

 

[Dizzy]

But what is unprofessional about a tattoo? Why is it felt to be unprofessional??!

 

[release the hounds]

I don't know, some people drink Pepsi, some people Drink Coke. Some cultures value marking up your body, cutting it, inking it, putting holes in it, pushing your clavicles down and squishing the apex of your lungs to give the appearance of a long neck and slanting forheads, and some don't find that stuff "attractive" professional, "desired" or whatever other name you want to attach to it.

 

[release the hounds]

I guess it's the same as < why can't I wear jeans to work. Did I suddenly get stupid when I put them on? Some of the smartest people I know would wear shorts and sandals everyday of their life, but they go to work in dress pants, button downs and ties, sometimes jacket. Why? because of other people's perceptions. Why do Doctors where white clinic jackets? perception. Why do hairstylists always have crazy hair ? Why do all sorts of places have all sorts of things in place to set a certain mood or give a certain perception?

Tats in the past have been things that those up to no good usually got. Criminals, gang, bikers, pirates etc. They're associated with drug use, criminal activity and a general attitude of who gives a flying ****. The rest left themselves pretty much unmarked till tramp stamps became popular in the 90's. Then it kind of moved on from there.

Doesn't mean everyone these days with a tattoo is one of the aforementioned types by a long shot, but perceptions still persist. and like I said before, the unwillingness to abide by a dress code would tell me more about a potential employee than a tattoo. I mean it's a tattoo, It's not like anyone is asking you to hack off a leg to help sell prosthetics.

 

[Dizzy]

I wear what I like to work I chair meetings, make big decisions, deal with public and other professionals. However I do smarten up for court as judges tend to frown at you otherwise.

Times change though. I'm pretty sure top hats were a necessity to look professional once upon a time. Maybe when the tattood generation take over companies, higher up positions etc things might change and people will realise it's nonsensical.

 

[Laurelin]

I don't think anyone is saying times won't change down the road. Trust me, most people in my generation I talk to aren't bothered by tattoos and find dress codes to be too strict. I do think things will loosen in the industry when our generation gets into the upper level management. I already see it happening over time.

But right now it's a very conservative industry headed by people my parents' ages or older. And so people should expect that there will be conservative dress codes in most offices in the industry. My friend with the full sleeves and I talked a lot about how we disagreed with the dress code but he did respect it and covered his arms because he knew that's what was required in the business at this point in time. He would have been the first person to chastise someone for complaining about not getting hired because of their tattoos being visible.

But it does open a whole can of worms there though. I've seen people pitch fits about someone having a Buddha displayed in their office. What happens if Johnny's cross and bible verse tattoo is allowed but someone else's religious tattoo is not? Or what about macabre images? Or nudity? The guy with the checkerboard facial tattoo? All allowed? I don't know.

 

[faustus]

I feel like I'm the only person at my work who doesn't have a tattoo Then again I currently live in a city that embraces all the 'alternative' lifestyle stuff. Tattoos, piercings, crazy Macklemore hair on guys, shaved heads on girls? Sure, it's all good here! My Calculus professor even has tattoos and gauged ears (although he hasn't actually worn the gauges in class).

I'm not bothered by it one bit. It's pretty refreshing how much more relaxed work environments seem so far out here on the west coast compared to the east coast. We'll see if that continues once I'm out of the doggy daycare business and into the computer science field!

 

[sassafras]

I'd like to add, too, I have nothing against tattoos. I am fairly heavily inked myself. And although my employer does not strictly require it, I do keep them covered at work.

Clients' reactions can be affected by their perception of what tattoos mean bout the person with them, as much as we want or would like to believe they shouldn't. I used to have an eyebrow piercing as well and I can tell you that while some people didn't care and some people liked it, a certain type of client started taking me WAY more seriously after I stopped wearing it (initially because I lost it, and then because I noticed the difference.)

Employers have to think about their business. And if they know or suspect a certain segment of their clientele is going to react negatively, then I don't think it's unreasonable to enforce a dress code. It's just a business decision, almost certainly nothing personal against anyone. And then it is an employee's right to choose not to work there.

 

[*blackrose]

I'd like to add, too, I have nothing against tattoos. I am fairly heavily inked myself. And although my employer does not strictly require it, I do keep them covered at work.

Clients' reactions can be affected by their perception of what tattoos mean bout the person with them, as much as we want or would like to believe they shouldn't. I used to have an eyebrow piercing as well and I can tell you that while some people didn't care and some people liked it, a certain type of client started taking me WAY more seriously after I stopped wearing it (initially because I lost it, and then because I noticed the difference.)

Employers have to think about their business. And if they know or suspect a certain segment of their clientele is going to react negatively, then I don't think it's unreasonable to enforce a dress code. It's just a business decision, almost certainly nothing personal against anyone. And then it is an employee's right to choose not to work there.

This about sums up my thoughts, too, so I'll just quote. Haha