Tattoos in the work place

joemysterio

Hi everyone,

just curious but how does your employer feel about tattoos? or how do you feel about them on your coworkers? I have a few but they are barely visible, more so when my shirt sleeve is really short. My employer doesn't mind but did ask to cover up if a high profile client is around, which I have no problem with doing.

i'm actually thinking about getting a half sleeve but I know I will have to be covered up majority of the time, if not all the time, if I do that, whether long sleeve shirt or cover up wrap.

networker050184

I have visible tattoos, but nothing that couldn't be covered by a long sleeve shirt if needed. Never had a problem with it. Tattoos and piercings seem to be much more acceptable these days even in the most professional environments. I'd personally never get anything that would show while in a suit/button down. No hands, neck, face etc.

Nyblizzard

I have a bunch including some on my forearms. My current workplace is perfectly fine with it and I even had the Commissioner at the time, compliment them.

colemic

A lot of it depends on the industry - anything visible is frowned upon in the financial world, for example, (or any conservative industry for that matter) and almost always has to be covered up. I have 2 tats, one on my right wrist (text, 17:17) and a fairly large on my upper left arm... that one is easily covered, and no one ever notices the one on my wrist (if they see it, they just assume I used my wrist as a notepad, LOL.) Gonna be 3 if I ever sign up for, train for, and complete a Tough Mudder. )

If you feel that in the future you may move to an industry that frowns upon visible tattoos, I would think twice about getting something like a sleeve. While I personally don't mind (as long as they are not offensive) (and I loved Santa's tattoos in Rise of the Guardians), others are not as mellow as me in that regard, especially in face-to-face customer-facing positions.

--chris--

Teaching hospital here: Tattoos everywhere. From registration girls to residents, doctors, nurses, aids, dietitians, admins and IT. My new coworker has a full sleeve that peaks out of his collar on both his neck and his sleeve.

Its going to vary from employer to employer. I would have thought a big place like this would not allow it, but I was wrong. I have worked at a much smaller place that required they be covered.

the_Grinch

I don't take issue with tattoos. I have one (probably getting another one soon), but it is covered with a short sleeve shirt. When I was in law enforcement anything showing was a big no no. Right or wrong the policy was the policy. Where I am currently it really depends on which area you work in. Due to my recent interactions I was ragged on a bit for having no tie and they don't like if we aren't clean shaven so tattoo's that are showing could be a no no. Be able to cover it and you should be good to go.

RouteMyPacket

Long sleeve button down and all should be well.

pinkydapimp

It all comes down to the person. the sad reality is that people will judge you based on all types of stuff and tatoos are one of them. So your best bet is to do what you can to make good first impressions.

I think for the most part though as long as its not offensive most people wont care.

BradleyHU

I have several...a huge one on one of my forearms, and also large ones on my biceps. I wear short sleeve shirts from time to time, and i dont really get many looks or comments about it...i've worked in both a call center & several corporate offices...

Tom Servo

At the end of the day, visible tattoos will close a few doors in the workplace. I don't care if someone has tattoos (within reason), but my advice to anyone considering getting one is to make sure it can be covered up with pants and a long sleeve shirt so you can fit in with the stiffs in corporate.

krjay

One of the first questions on our web based application form is something like 'Do you have tattoos that are visible while wearing a short sleeve t-shirt'. Those that answer yes are automatically disqualified. I don't necessarily agree with it, and the work environment isn't extremely uptight like you'd think. Tattoos just happen to be completely taboo here.

networker050184

^With that kind of nonsense they are doing you a favor. I want to work in a place that looks for good talent.

colemic

Banks are the same way... and while I also want to work in a place that looks for good talent, I also appreciate their need and desire to have clean-shaven, non-tattooed folk dealing with little old ladies' money.

Doesn't mean I agree with it, but it is what it is in the financial services industry.

networker050184

Well, if you don't agree with it go find a new industry to work in. Life is too short to model your life around what some business wants it's employees to look like IMO. Probably doesn't help being in Texas either.

colemic

I'm not going to quit an entire industry just because their dress code doesn't match my personal preferences. If you want to be that petty, go ahead.

ajs1976

I work at a bank. Even though the dress code is a little more relaxed then most banks, the policy is no visible tattoos.

A friend that has a number of tattoos told me to be careful if I get any. He said that being heavily tattooed or having visable ones can hurt job opportunities.

networker050184

colemic wrote: »

I'm not going to quit an entire industry just because their dress code doesn't match my personal preferences. If you want to be that petty, go ahead.

I don't think finding an industry that matches your personality and personal preferences is petty at all.

colemic

networker050184 wrote: »

I don't think finding an industry that matches your personality and personal preferences is petty at all.

Telling me to quit my industry because tattoos are frowned upon, is.

JasminLandry

RouteMyPacket wrote: »

Long sleeve button down and all should be well.

That's what I do. No one at work knows I have tattoos and there is no need for them to know. Even if they knew I doubt there would be an issue.

networker050184

I didn't say you should quit because tattoos are frowned upon particularly, but if you do not agree with the practices of the industry why work there? I know that is something I'm not going to do personally.

colemic

Because it's a non-issue to me, one that is pretty low on my list of things that would make me quit.

hm. need a new thread, what would make you quit your current job, something like this, or... gotta think of the right way to frame the question.

MTciscoguy

Interesting topic, in the Military, I was an officer and could have been brought up on charges if I had any visible tats, which was completely different than for an enlisted man, I am a pretty conservative personality, normally don't find them a big deal unless offensive, all of my children have them and my son is covered in them, he is an EMT and has had no problem because of them, but he has had a couple of complaint filed against him because of them, which surprised me as he was in the process of actually saving their person complaining life! Life is moving forward, but in certain industries you are going to continue to find resistance to certain types of behavior, myself, as long as you do your job, I really don't worry about it.

MagnumOpus

Really not a fan of tattoos though I do admire the art. I really feel that tattoos limit one's scope of mobility in the workforce. Granted, it's usually the hiring manager/business owner who discriminates against tattoo bearing individuals. In the same breathe, when your dealing with whales/business men in a boardroom type setting, the last thing you want is their attention to be focused on "Billy's Tattoos and piercings".
As stupid as this sounds, I've heard these lame excuses used to thwart business dealings. Some people just don't want to be associated with such individuals, and usually these are the people who write the checks. IMO if you're going to get tatted, make sure choose a career path which is completely open to the idea, or ink yourself in areas that can be completely covered (short sleeve and long sleeve). The last thing you need is some a-hole raining on your parade because of a visible tat.

markulous

I don't see the issue with them in most places. That being said, I do not have any and if I were to ever get any I would make sure that they were not visible with a long sleeve shirt.

datacomboss

Things have changed a lot in the last five years ago in regards to acceptance of tattoos in the workplace. I never wanted tats, but I did have earrings back in the day, so as long as the tats are not visible, I'll hire a qualified person with them.

eLs

Tats are a choice it just makes me think why go out of your way to limit your job opportunities more just because you want to make a point. Do not get tats that cannot be covered up with work clothes. If getting a job is not hard enough as it is.

rsutton

If Internal employees have a problem with tattoos then I probably don't want to work with such small-minded people. I can understand the need to cover them up with clients however.

SweenMachine

rsutton wrote: »

If Internal employees have a problem with tattoos then I probably don't want to work with such small-minded people. I can understand the need to cover them up with clients however.

If you don't work in my sales department or in person client care, you can have tattoos that cover your whole face. If you have talent, I'm hiring you. You could look like the most stereotypical biker gang dude meets prisioner meets rock and roll drummer, but if you kick #$# and are dependable, you have a spot on my team in work; in friendship; in life; as a neighbor.

There are clearly certain roles in business that require a certain look I suppose, but 90 percent of workers don't even interact with clients from an IT perspective face to face.

Work // Life balance. If you do a great job at work, you shouldn't have to compromise your lifestyle because of it.

-scott

datacomboss

SweenMachine wrote: »

If you don't work in my sales department or in person client care, you can have tattoos that cover your whole face. If you have talent, I'm hiring you. You could look like the most stereotypical biker gang dude meets prisioner meets rock and roll drummer, but if you kick #$# and are dependable, you have a spot on my team in work; in friendship; in life; as a neighbor.
t

Acquring, developing and motivating good people is a very difficult process and companies just don't have the time or money to worry about the judgement of a person (with sleeves, gauges or a face tattoo) who thinks outside of business/social norms.

networker050184

Acquiring and developing good people is extremely difficult which is why I don't see why a company would disqualify an extremely large number of younger people with tattoos. Having visible tattoos really isn't outside of the social norms today. It's not outside of the business norms in most tech companies either. Working in an IT department might be a different story depending on the industry.

krjay

networker050184 wrote: »

^With that kind of nonsense they are doing you a favor. I want to work in a place that looks for good talent.

Not really sure what this means. We look for talent, and we want said talent to portray a certain image (especially those that are customer facing). In my experience tattoos are not nearly as acceptable in business as you are trying to portray. I don't necessarily agree with this norm, but I won't be exerting any energy towards changing it, and I have a feeling a lot of people without tattoos are in the same boat.