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The tattooed professional!
Love tattoos? Big ones, small ones, any kind will do! Whether your workplace approves or not, we love tattoos!
Network Leader: Lindsey Anderson
vinced
I have tattoos all over my body.
TamberH
I'm thinking about starting a business that would target tattooed professionals and the challenge we sometimes face in covering up tattoos in the workplace (although it sounds like many of you don't seem to have this problem :) Just curious about the market for this sort of venture. I personally work in social services/education, and I am constantly looking for clothing and accessories that cover up and still look professional and fashionable. Any thoughts?
Jessica Bahr
I have to say, for the first time I experienced a problem with tattoo's in the workplace. Not mine, but a co-workers. We work in a corporate business casual setting. A female co-worker has a tattoo on her chest and intentionally wears low cut shirts positioning it so half the tattoo is showing. She said it was so people wonder what the other half was, and therefore wonder about her shirtless. She's an intern and I'd like to point out it is going to hurt her professionally, but not sure how to.
Jessica Bahr:
She is still employed, but moved to a cube which is not on the main walk way where she was before. I am not sure if anyone has said something to ...MoreShe is still employed, but moved to a cube which is not on the main walk way where she was before. I am not sure if anyone has said something to her, but her work is satisfactory so I don't think much will happen.
69 weeks ago
69 weeks ago
Brittany Thompson:
Wow, and here I have been carefully choosing my clothes and wearing my hair down so I don't have to fret about whether or not my back piece is ...MoreWow, and here I have been carefully choosing my clothes and wearing my hair down so I don't have to fret about whether or not my back piece is peaking up from behind my collar during the work day! Here's the part about your coworker that concerns me. It's not the tattoo. It's not the location of the tattoo. It's the statement she made about getting a tattoo on her chest so "people wonder about her shirtless." It's the fact that she made that comment to someone she works with (and I'm assuming she said it while she was at work?) And it also should be a red flag that she is wearing low-cut shirts, to further illustrate that she has a tattoo there (and presumably, to make coworkers wonder about her shirtless...)
If that's the case, her actions and comments in a work environment are not very work appropriate, even if the quality of her work is good.
It's so hard when you work with someone who is doing things that could interfere with their career or doing things that border on HR violations in the workplace. Then you have the internal struggle over whether or not to approach the person about it. Sometimes, I've found that it's actually easier to approach people about these issues if you are supervising rather than just working with them. Not because of power or authority but because they sometimes are more receptive. (It also depends on your approach and the level of rapport and mutual respect, though.)
In this case, it doesn't sound like you were close to this person or that you were her supervisor/manager, and now that she's moved elsewhere and is continuing to produce quality work, maybe it's not an issue anymore. I do know for a fact though that there would be many companies that would see red flags in her behavior, so hopefully she'll correct it before it hurts her down the road.
59 weeks ago
If that's the case, her actions and comments in a work environment are not very work appropriate, even if the quality of her work is good.
It's so hard when you work with someone who is doing things that could interfere with their career or doing things that border on HR violations in the workplace. Then you have the internal struggle over whether or not to approach the person about it. Sometimes, I've found that it's actually easier to approach people about these issues if you are supervising rather than just working with them. Not because of power or authority but because they sometimes are more receptive. (It also depends on your approach and the level of rapport and mutual respect, though.)
In this case, it doesn't sound like you were close to this person or that you were her supervisor/manager, and now that she's moved elsewhere and is continuing to produce quality work, maybe it's not an issue anymore. I do know for a fact though that there would be many companies that would see red flags in her behavior, so hopefully she'll correct it before it hurts her down the road.
59 weeks ago
Kristina Summers
Currently have 3 although only one is highly visible - bitten by the bug again and considering another in a visible area - fairly successful and looking for a well-deserved promotion...should I wait? Or would that go against everything I tell others about being proud of their personal brand (of which my tats are a part of.) Thoughts?
Jacob Revold:
I can see it depends on how controversial the tattoo is, how visible and what kind of work environment you're in, but do we need to make ...MoreI can see it depends on how controversial the tattoo is, how visible and what kind of work environment you're in, but do we need to make compromise? Are there any laws against being both ambitious and proud of ones tattoo?
114 weeks ago
114 weeks ago
Aiden Schade:
While there aren't any laws, most workplace "appearance" policies are vague enough that they can and will cover just about anything. I've been ...MoreWhile there aren't any laws, most workplace "appearance" policies are vague enough that they can and will cover just about anything. I've been written up at work for how I styled my hair (even though there are some here who come in with bed head), and there is no mention of hair at all in the policy. Thankfully I haven't been disciplined for my tattoos.
74 weeks ago
74 weeks ago
Lindsey Anderson
How much do you think is too much in terms of tattoos?
fatbikez
i love my tats
Kristina Summers:
so glad - I for one feel that tattoos are indeed a work of art and should be accepted as simply as a piece of jewelry. That is of course if you ...Moreso glad - I for one feel that tattoos are indeed a work of art and should be accepted as simply as a piece of jewelry. That is of course if you put thought into it - never been a fan of flash off a wall while partying down...:)
116 weeks ago
116 weeks ago
Kristina Summers
...or that they in any way diminish my professional capabilities. Tattoos rock!
Lindsey Anderson:
I'm so with you on this! I think people are finally starting to see tattoos for the artwork and not as a sign of criminal activity, ha ha.
123 weeks ago
123 weeks ago
Kristina Summers:
I agree Lindsey - the whole criminal stereotype did play into my decision to get my tats in other languages -i.e. lucky family # is 13 but that ...MoreI agree Lindsey - the whole criminal stereotype did play into my decision to get my tats in other languages -i.e. lucky family # is 13 but that can be associated with gang activity so I had a friend from Thailand write it out in Thai and used that as a tattoo - much prettier anyway!
116 weeks ago
116 weeks ago
Kristina Summers
I have three and they are not hidden at all. I refuse to accept that I must hide my individuality in the work place...
Rebecca Benaim
Have 5 tattoos, all in places easily hidden in the work, & that won't be ruined at all by pregnancy :) Ever have problems w/tattoos at work?
Rebecca Benaim:
the only one on my back is actually on my hip, quarter sized. never thought about that part of it. good tip :)
123 weeks ago
123 weeks ago
Stephanie Chaptal Dugué:
No problem over the hip. It's the ones along the spinal cord which are incompatible with anesthetia. Learnt it the hard way.
122 weeks ago
122 weeks ago
Zezinho
i LOVE tattoos, I have 33...
Mike Valera
Can anyone recommend some good artists in SoCal?
:
Dan Smith. He did mine, amazing. He works out of High Voltage tattoo. MoreDan Smith. He did mine, amazing. He works out of High Voltage tattoo. www.highvoltagetattoo.com
127 weeks ago
127 weeks ago
Lindsey Anderson
I've wanted tattoos my who life, I've always loved them. Thankfully I waited til adulthood and made good choices... ha ha.
Andrew Norcross:
@Photis: I've actually always wanted to get a 'bullshit' tattoo, but just haven't gotten around to it. I've still got 10 hrs left on my ribs
128 weeks ago
128 weeks ago
Jessica Bahr:
I got my first one when I was 14, don't regret it, yet. My friend got 'your name' tattooed when she was drunk.
125 weeks ago
125 weeks ago
Stephanie Chaptal Dugué
Same problem here . Told my 2 yr girl to wait till 18 else her tattoos will shrink as clothes after a washing machine error.
Dead Hedge
Anyone had to explain their tattoos to young kids? My 16 month old likes pointing at mine and is probably going to want one when he's 3.
Andrew Norcross:
My 2 year old will probably start asking questions once he sees other men who AREN'T covered like me and my friends.
128 weeks ago
128 weeks ago
Ken
the policy is in people's mind, not on the paper.
Annabelle
the only thing I usually do is go to interviews in an elbow length shirt (so my half sleeve still peeks through, but isn't distracting)...
David Shaw
Ah, the advantage of working for a tech company. They didn't hire me for how I look, but for what I can do. No need to cover up.
Jessica Bahr
I have never had an employer shun my tattoos but I place them in easily covered areas because I'm kind of worried it might happen someday.
Andrew Norcross
I am techincally allowed to wear a short-sleeved polo shirt, but I haven't in years. Hence, my arms are covered. No casual Friday, though!
Lindsey Anderson
My work has no policy on tattoos at all, thankfully. My uniform covers my half sleeve for the most part though.
Andrew Norcross
So has anyone out there made tattoo decisions based on their office dress code?
