Tattoos in the work place

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.

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Comments

networker050184

I guess it depends on what kind of business you are in. If you work in a tech company (internet, ISP, vendors etc.) tattoos are not uncommon at all. Especially among the younger crowd. Working the IT department for a conservative radio station on the other hand not so much.

And just to clarify I'm not covered in tattoos or have any piercings so I'm not trying to make the argument for personal reasons. I have couple visible ones that are easily covered. I'm clean shaven the majority of the time as well.

kohr-ah

When i was at the MSP if you were a person that dealt with clients you couldn't have the tattoos visibile but if you were up stairs in level 2 support you could have them showing all you wanted.

The funny thing is here on the corporate side we have people who have half sleeves, gauged earrings, etc and they don't bat an eye at it (which is good because I am working on my tattoo now but it is in a hidden spot).

Me, if I was hiring I dont care if you have piercings and tattoos and if you were client facing I may ask you to wear a long sleeve if it was a conservative customer but I wouldn't not hire you because of it. It is art. Doesnt make you a different person.

Now if you have "I kill babies" tattood on your forehead.. uh.. you can work in the data center.

colemic

If you have that tattoo'd on your forehead, I do believe you'll be working at the data center... down the road. Not in mine.

ccnpninja

colemic wrote: »

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.

I work in a bank and I keep a goatee 4 days out of 5, often no tie on friday, and IT management is cool with that

certoi

I came out of an interview recently and passed a guy on my way out that works in IT with a full sleeve tattoo and wearing a short sleeved shirt, but you can also tell from the environment that it was pretty laid back. With that said I have a couple on my biceps that can be easily covered by a short sleeve short.The management where I work couldn't care less about tattoos as long as you can get the job done (even as an IT consultant).

jws86

I start my new desktop support job Monday. I have a tattoo on my forearm. I read through the employee handbook quite a few times and it states nothing about tattoos in the workplace. Would a company state a tattoo policy in their handbook or no? I was told I can wear short sleeve polos for work even thought their handbook mentions button downs. I went out and bought long sleeve button downs before I knew this. Do you think it would be advisable to cover the tat until I see what everyone else looks like or should I come right out and ask on my first day if it is ok if my tat shows when I wear a polo? Then they can either tell me yes, or to keep it covered? I would love to wear polos as it is starting to get hot out!

joemysterio

@jws86

I would ask right away what to do about it. If they want a cover up, I'd ask if you could wear something like this: Cover Up Tattoos | Cover Up Tatoos | Removing Tattoos | Ink Armor Forearm 9 in. Sleeve | Tat2X

MTciscoguy

First thing I would do is ask and then comply with the company policy, that way you don't get dumped before you get a chance to show your skills.

jws86

Yeah I don't think I would be wearing one of those. I would rather just wear a long sleeve button down. I will definitely ask though what the policy is. I have been in contact with HR about my first day. She keeps telling me if I have any questions to let her know. Should I ask her what the policy is on visible tattoos before I even go in on my first day? Below is a picture from the dress code in the handbook.

I would ask right away what to do about it. If they want a cover up, I'd ask if you could wear something like this: Cover Up Tattoos | Cover Up Tatoos | Removing Tattoos | Ink Armor Forearm 9 in. Sleeve | Tat2X[/QUOTE]

dresscode.jpg

geekgirl74

As long as I'm wearing an elbow-length shirt and pants no one can tell I have tattoos. I covered mine for the first few months at my job and one day someone saw one peeking out from my sleeve and we started talking...and I was asked why I was so worried about it. Our dress code is business casual and there is nothing regarding tattoos in our employee handbook. Ever since that conversation, I've not been worried about showing mine and no one has been concerned.

I recommend covering up for your first day, then ask once given the opportunity. It's not worth stressing out about though. You've got the job!

jws86

geekgirl74 wrote: »

As long as I'm wearing an elbow-length shirt and pants no one can tell I have tattoos. I covered mine for the first few months at my job and one day someone saw one peeking out from my sleeve and we started talking...and I was asked why I was so worried about it. Our dress code is business casual and there is nothing regarding tattoos in our employee handbook. Ever since that conversation, I've not been worried about showing mine and no one has been concerned.

I recommend covering up for your first day, then ask once given the opportunity. It's not worth stressing out about though. You've got the job!

Thanks! That was what I was planning on doing. In fact where I will be training is business casual. Where I will actually be working is casual. I was told I could wear jeans and a polo. I have a feeling it won't be a big deal but I think I will cover it up for a while and if anyone notices then so be it.

MTciscoguy

Just make sure you find out what company policy is and you should be good to go, right now, your mind is running wild and you have a new job that you really don't know what is going to happen, wear long sleeve button downs on Monday, then ask the right questions to figure out what is going on. In the Mean time, Congrats, you did it, you got a job!

jws86

MTciscoguy wrote: »

Just make sure you find out what company policy is and you should be good to go, right now, your mind is running wild and you have a new job that you really don't know what is going to happen, wear long sleeve button downs on Monday, then ask the right questions to figure out what is going on. In the Mean time, Congrats, you did it, you got a job!

Will do! Thank you!

paul78

colemic wrote: »

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

It probably depends on the financial service segment and the company. I've worked in financial services for a while and I've seen both the "uptight button down shirt culture" and the "whatever goes as long as we make money culture".

While I don't have any tattoos, I certainly do admire them as an art expression.

colemic

geekgirl74 wrote: »

As long as I'm wearing an elbow-length shirt and pants no one can tell I have tattoos. I covered mine for the first few months at my job and one day someone saw one peeking out from my sleeve and we started talking...and I was asked why I was so worried about it. Our dress code is business casual and there is nothing regarding tattoos in our employee handbook. Ever since that conversation, I've not been worried about showing mine and no one has been concerned.

I recommend covering up for your first day, then ask once given the opportunity. It's not worth stressing out about though. You've got the job!

Agreed... if they had an issue with tattoos, then they would have addressed that in the dress code. Still, I would confirm after the first day.