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Before the 19th century, the only people in Western society who had tattoos were prostitutes and criminals. However, as time went on and the colonial powers spread to other nations, tattoos became slightly more acceptable in popular culture after becoming a part of military culture.
My grandfather got two tattoos in Panama in 1947 while he was enlisted in the Navy. I always thought his were really cool, and at 10 years old I decided I wanted to get a tattoo when I got older. This decision may have been pre-empted in part because an older cousin got her tattoo that year as well. At 19, I got my first tattoo and I want to get more in the future.
Gen Y has grown up with various idols that have tattoos and piercings including musicians, actors, writers and artists. In recent years there has also been an influx of television programs that focus on the lives of tattoo artists and their shops including Inked, Miami Ink, LA Ink and Tattoo Highway.
I have also come to recognize that I am not an anomaly among my friends. I know many Gen Yers that have tattoos; some have only small images while others have large pieces that cover a lot of their body. Regardless of the size of the image, most of these tattoos can be hidden by clothing.
But this got me thinking: if I was to get a much larger tattoo or one in a more visible place, could that possibly cost me a job?
Even though many of the negative stereotypes toward tattoos have become less prevalent, they may still remain depending on your company's culture. Unless you want to be a rock star, artist or tattooist, you're probably not able to have tattoos that cover most of your body because you will not be seen as professional. Having large tattoos or having them in visible areas could cost you a job.
Although this can be seen as discriminatory, technically it is not.
Most workplaces have a dress code, which is a standard for what employees should wear to represents the employer's brand. Some places of work have a ban on visible tattoos, and depending on the industry this can be appropriate.
For example, you wouldn't want a kindergarten teacher with two nautical-themed sleeves featuring 1940's pinup girls and skeletons on his forearms. At the same time, there would be less of a concern if the same teacher had a single tattoo of a scorpion on the bicep because it would remain mostly covered.
Body and facial piercings carry the same workplace issues as tattoos. Once again, depending on their placement on the body and the corporate culture of the workplace a piercing may or may not be considered acceptable.
If you are planning to get a new tattoo or piercing and you are already employed, talk to your current employer to find out what the rules are about piercings and tattoos. If you are looking for work, be wary of the fact that if your new tattoo or piercing is clearly visible it could prevent you from being hired by certain employers.
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Comments
07.23.09
I started getting inked when I was 20, and I've have a total of about 60 hours of work done on various parts of my body, including my chest, ribcage, both arms, and both legs. (here's a gallery of them all http://picasaweb.google.com/Andrew.Norcross/MyTattoos?feat=directlink)
I've also worked a corporate job in that entire time, and it's never been an issue. Only recently did I get a piece that shows when I am wearing a short-sleeve shirt, all the others are covered when wearing pants and a T-shirt. It's a simple rule, really. Nothing on the hands, neck, or face.
07.23.09
Great post. I didn't know that it was technically non-discriminatory to ban inked employees. I've got a bunch of tattoos myself, but I made sure that they could still be easily concealed, knowing earlier on that I wish to work in a hospital/health care setting, where it isn't exactly best to match tattoos with blue scrubs! I love getting inked and I'm really into body art in general. I don't think I'll stop getting inked any time soon but only on places I can easily conceal. :)
07.23.09
they could!!!~~ i can't wear shorts in my office~~ if i do, 90% i will lose my job very soon!
07.23.09
There are facial piercings that I feel should be acceptable everywhere. For example, the Monroe piercing or a nose piercing can be very cute with a little stud! Tattoos in places that can be hidden only...especially because they are not removable like piercings
07.23.09
I am the director of HR for a digital agency and I have both, visible piercings and tattoos. My boss loves them - actually said he wished his wife would pierce her nose too!
07.23.09
As a heavily tattooed executive - I have noted that being tattooed has its ups and downs. In my present role - my tattoos are not even noticed by co-workers.
But as I travel the world for business - some corporate cultures seem a little put off.
But in the end - my work has spoken for itself and any personal presuppositions are quickly eroded and the business relationship takes over.
07.23.09
It really depends on your industry. A pierced and tatooed barista at a Starbucks in Boston - not a big deal. A tatooed swimsuit model? Perhaps not - depends on the context.
I think that most companies are worried about the bottom line, so if your outward appearance, be it ink, piercings, haircut, clothing (and so on) negatively impacts the bottom line then they take issue with it and in most cases have a corporate policy.
I would check with HR if you are really worried. A general rule of thumb for me is: don't get a tattoo where it's visible, and if you get a visible piercing make sure it's easily removable between 9 and 5 - that should have you covered.
07.23.09
No tattoos or piercings for me, I'm not a fan. But I understand that Gen Y likes ink. I have 4 nieces and nephews in their 20s who all have tattoos. I'm a big advocate of personal freedom and I say do what you want - it's your body.
I do think tattoos will hold up your career if they're visible at work. I think Boomers (especially) and some Xers are turned off by body art and see it as a childish mistake, and therefore you may come across as childish.
Now before you lay into me for saying that, I'm just telling you WHY they're a problem for your career, not that I share that opinion about tattoos.
10.24.10
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10.25.10
It could. I have a tattoo on my wrist. Nobody notices, strangely enough.
10.25.10
Lots of places have some really strict policies on this type of thing. I think ear or nose piercings are okay if they are tasteful. It does depend on the industry however.
11.14.10
Unfortunately people judge others by their appearances. I know many people with tattoos and body piercing who are model employees at their companies. wow accounts
11.24.10
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11.24.10
It is definitely becoming more and more of an issue. In fact, the Marine Corps has passed new legislation this year banning many different types of tatoos.. the MARINES! I served in the Marines, and I did not get any artwork done.. but I don't feel the need; I believe what you have inside is more important than what you express on the outside. But hey, that is just me.. I never have, and do not think I ever would think differently about an employee or colleague just because they have body art or piercings.
Once you get one.. it is hard (and pricey) to get rid of one!
All the best,
Aaron
11.24.10
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11.27.10
As an electronics tech, I saw a nose piercing cost someone their job, and nearly their life, when they got zapped by 25,000 volts through it. He suffered burns, memory loss, physical coordination problems and other problems years later.
12.13.10
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01.13.11
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01.27.11
Entire body and cosmetic piercings carry a similar workplace difficulties as tattoos. Once more, depending about their placement to the body and also the corporate culture in the workplace any piercing may perhaps or is probably not considered satisfactory.
Great place. I didn't understand that it appeared to be technically non-discriminatory to be able to ban inked workers. I've got a good number of tattoos me personally, but I ensured that put on still end up being easily obscured, knowing previously that I would like to work in the hospital/health treatment setting, Irish Setter where doable exactly best to check tattoos by using blue scrubs! I really like getting inked in addition to I'm truly into entire body art on the whole.
01.28.11
Most workplaces accept a dress code, which is a accepted for what advisers should abrasion to represents the employer's brand. Some places of plan accept a ban on arresting tattoos, and depending on the industry this can be appropriate.
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01.28.11
I think I won't cost me my job even if I put tattoo in my whole body as long as I plan it carefully.
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