While attitudes towards are changing, of course, but that doesn’t mean that every workplace lets you have visible tattoos and some people still like to consider this before getting inked.
You can spend ages planning out your design and get your ink, but there will still be someone who doesn’t like it. That’s just the nature of tattoos. However, are there really any reasonable arguments for not being allowed tattoos in the workplace?
Are workplace tattoos even still an issue?
This really depends on the industry in question. Some industries will allow tattoos and have no problem with people turning up to work with them on display. Many bosses do still have the capacity to ban tattoos though and are happy to do so.
Some tattoos (not many) are associated with things like a prison and gang culture. It’s not necessarily the greatest argument for banning them, but this has been the way of the workplace for decades.
Why are tattoos considered unprofessional?
A lot of the reasons for tattoos being banned in the workplace don’t seem to stack up with modern society. When you walk down the street, you are likely to see people with tattoos.
Older generations may not be used to seeing tattoos in some industries such as government and in authority positions such as law enforcement. Attitudes will probably continue to change on these fronts, but at the moment employers can choose not to employ inked individuals in many parts of the world.
Tattoos themselves aren’t unprofessional, though they do have the capacity to be. If you were to get a rude tattoo or something associated with criminal activity or gangs then it could send the wrong message. The actual act of body art should not be associated with these things and is actually a practice rooted in spirituality and tradition.
Wrong reasons tattoos in the workplace are covered
There are misconceptions about why tattoos need to be covered in the workplace. The reasons below are some of the weaker excuses.
- “Tattoos are extreme.” This is not true. Around 45 million people just in the US have tattoos, and they are becoming more popular.
- “People will be scared of tattoos.” Another false statement. People are becoming more used to tattoos.
- “It’s unhygienic.” This is a strange belief, disproven by science, that some people still hold onto. There’s no reason a tattooed individual can’t have high standards of hygiene. Ink doesn’t get on food during preparation.
- “It looks bad.” This is an opinion, and it is a strange reason not to let people who have chosen they like tattoos to show them or to get a position within the company.
5 tattoo-friendly industries
If you’ve just been to the best tattoo shops in the US and got yourself a new design, you want to show it off. There are some industries that tend to be a lot more tattoo-friendly than others.
- Military: Ink has been associated with the military for many years. If you work within the military then it’s unlikely that tattoos will hold you back, but it obviously depends on what the nature of your design actually is.
- Hospitality: It’s normal to see a waiter or bartender in some industries that have a tattoo. Lots of hospitality companies are open to employing people who are inked.
- Arts and the media: These industries are about expression, right? There are many roles in these industries that can allow you to show off your tattoos, and it will cause you no issue whatsoever in terms of getting a job.
- Agriculture:A lot of people in agriculture have tattoos and it doesn’t make a great difference to these roles at all.
- Trades:Trades like mechanic don’t tend to care too much about whether you have tattoos, as long as they aren’t offensive.
Final thoughts: Is it body art or unprofessional?
There are probably always going to be two schools of thought on whether tattoos should be common in the workplace, but the truth is that ink is becoming really popular, and this means that lots of people are choosing to accept employees with visible tattoos. Google, Ticketmaster, Apple, Amazon, FedEx and UPS all employ people who have tattoos and are happy not to discriminate. We expect more companies to go this way in the future.
There’s nothing intrinsically unprofessional about body art. Some people will always have preconceptions about tattoos, but in the modern age, it’s becoming easier to find employees who don’t mind this form of expression.
FAQs
Tattoos themselves aren't unprofessional, though they do have the capacity to be. If you were to get a rude tattoo or something associated with criminal activity or gangs then it could send the wrong message.
Should tattoos be considered unprofessional in the workplace? ›
Tattoos are generally accepted in the workplace as long as they're not offensive, unprofessional or distracting. In fact, nearly 3 out of 4 employers say they don't mind hiring tattooed workers. However, visible tattoos are not appropriate for every profession and may not match your company's vision.
What is the argument against tattoos in the workplace? ›
Though a recent study argues that in practice “tattoos are not significantly associated with employment or earnings discrimination,” other research has shown that body art can be a source of employment discrimination, and individuals have indeed been dismissed from their jobs because of their tattoos.
Will tattoos ever be accepted in the workplace? ›
Some owners or managers may have more conservative preferences and won't allow their employees to show tattoos in the workplace. In more relaxed company atmospheres, employers may accept tattoos at work as a sign of individuality.
What are two things to consider about body art at work? ›
Two things to consider about body art at work are the potential impact on professional appearance and the potential for cultural or personal expression. Firstly, body art such as visible tattoos or piercings may affect how others perceive your professionalism and suitability for certain job roles or industries.
Can an employer fire you for tattoos? ›
There is no federal law that prohibits employers from firing employees based on their dress or tattoos. However, some states, such as California, have laws that protect employees from being fired based on these things.
What does the Bible say about tattoos? ›
Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.” Historically, scholars have often understood this as a warning against pagan practices of mourning.
Do tattoos look bad to employers? ›
While there is no federal law against hiring discrimination solely based on tattoos, it's important to consider how your tattoo's composition and placement might impact your potential to be hired before you get it. A visible tattoo or statement piercing may (or may not) have an effect on your employability.
Do tattoos still carry a burden in today's workplace? ›
Main Study Findings
Customers were divided in having positive and negative stereotypes about tattoos. But negative stereotypes did not rule. Tattooed employees were evaluated more positively and in a field experiment, they had just as many sales as their untattooed counterparts.
What jobs ban tattoos? ›
Follow along with Tatt2Away® for the inside scoop!
- Military.
- Airlines.
- Medical Professionals.
- Actors.
- Teachers/Educators.
- Law Enforcement.
- Corporate.
- Legal.
Historically, tattoos have been frowned upon by professions such as healthcare, childcare, business, military, and law as individuals with tattoos were often associated with prisoners and gangs.
How to cover tattoos for work? ›
For the latter, an easy remedy is a white undershirt and, or a suit jacket when appropriate. Forearm tattoos can be covered with long-sleeve shirts, again being conscious of how transparent the fabric is. Tattoos on the wrists can also be covered by long-sleeve shirts but be conscious of the length.
What are the positive and negative effects of tattoos? ›
There are several pros to getting a tattoo, such as self-expression, artistry, and confidence-boosting. However, there are also cons to consider, including the permanence of tattoos, potential health risks, and the possibility of regretting a tattoo in the future.
What are the 5 types of body art? ›
Types of body art
- Tattoos. Tattoos are permanent designs on the skin. ...
- Cosmetic tattooing (permanent makeup) ...
- Temporary tattoos. ...
- Body piercings. ...
- Beading. ...
- Scarification. ...
- Branding.
Body art covers a wide spectrum including tattoos, body piercings, scarification, and body painting.
What is a body of work art? ›
The phrase body of work refers to the production of a single artist, writer, or composer. So does corpus (Latin for body) and oeuvre (French for work).
How unprofessional are hand tattoos? ›
Traditionally, hand and finger tattoos have been labeled as “job stoppers” because they have rendered plenty of qualified people unhirable, simply because of a visible tattoo. As mentioned before, hand tattoos have grown to become more acceptable and a more common sight in the professional sphere in recent times.
Are tattoos unprofessional in healthcare? ›
No offensive or inappropriate tattoos: Most healthcare institutions have policies prohibiting offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate tattoos. Sorry, but your “party all night” tattoo might not make the cut. Size and placement: Some institutions are picky about the size and location of your tattoos.
Is it a sin to get a tattoo? ›
It depends on who you ask. There are some Christians who believe it is a sin. The verse in the Bible that most Christians make reference to is Leviticus 19:28, which says,"You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." So, why is this verse in the Bible?
