Tattoos and the workplace acceptance

I love tattoos. The idea of carrying a beautiful piece of art with a personal meaning on my skin appeals to me. However, before I got my first ever tattoo, I had to think long and hard about my decision.

Not because I worried I would ever regret it. But because there is a certain stigma towards inked individuals in our society. And I didn’t want any potential employer to write me off simply because of a visible tattoo.

Tattoos have long been considered ‘taboo’ when it comes to a professional setting. While I have been lucky to not have that affect my career, visible tattoos still aren’t embraced by many employers at large. In fact, in 2011 Forbes carried an article that listed tattoos as a ‘corporate No-No‘.

Does having visible tattoos say anything about a person’s professional life?

Luckily, attitudes have shifted significantly from that Forbes article in 2011. These days, workplaces tend to be more inclusive. Companies are eager to attract and retain skilled and committed employees. As a result, corporate cultures tend to support different lifestyles.

And depending on where and what the tattoo is, your employer won’t even raise any issues. For instance, if you have minimal interactions with a customer, then having tattoos on your hands is not an issue. The same tattoo might pose a problem if you are a concierge at a reputed hotel.

Things to consider

Places like your face, neck and hands are the areas that remain exposed the most. And tattoos placed in these areas tend to get more raised eyebrows than other tattoos. If your job requires you to have direct contact with customers or clients, think about the tattoo placement before you get them.

You should also consider the themes, imagery or message of your tattoo. Your employer would be OK with tattoos of flowers, positive quotes or recreations of art. However, they may not be as happy with tattoos that contain violent imagery, explicit language or sexual content. I’m definitely not going to tell you what you should and should not get inked on to your skin. However, consider the placement of such a tattoo carefully.

There are also some industries tat are more receptive to tattoos than others. Creative jobs such as web designing, writing, and film editing will be easier jobs to get hired if you are an inked individual. If you work in the government sector, foregoing a tattoo would be a good career decision.

What is your opinion about visible tattoos in the workplace? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.