Tattoos: Still Taboo in the Workplace?

By Lorena Roberts on July 6, 2017

If you’re banking on a job where you’re around children or old people, more than likely they aren’t going to want you to have tattoos. But tattoos are becoming more and more popular as our generation views their bodies as blank canvases made for art.

As younger generations begin to enter the workplace, more and more of us have tattoos than ever before. If you ask your grandparents, they’ll probably say that tattoos don’t belong in the workplace. They’ll tell you it’s inappropriate to do that to your body. They’ll advise against it. But you have to make that decision. How do you view tattoos? How will your future employer view tattoos?

Are tattoos still a bit “taboo” in the workplace? Here’s the argument for both sides.

Yes, tattoos are still viewed as “taboo” in the workplace.

According to a business.com article, 42 percent of people still think visible tattoos are inappropriate for work. However, not surprisingly, the younger age group thinks tattoos aren’t that big of a deal in the workplace.

There are some guidelines to getting a tattoo, though; if you’re worried about getting a job later on in life:

- Avoid offensive tattoos … anything that can negatively impact your reputation in the workplace.

- You might want to think twice about covering your entire body in tattoos. You’re going to represent a company. Think about it from your employer’s perspective before you permanently decorate your body.

- Give some thought to how it’ll look in 20 years … when you’re old and wrinkly. You probably don’t want tattoos that are going to look disgusting. So I’d think about that. (We’ve all seen the old man covered in tattoos and he just looks gross. Don’t you wish someone would’ve told him to consider that before he got the tattoo?)

No, tattoos are becoming more and more popular. Your employer won’t care.  

On the other hand, tattoos are “considered a form of body art. It’s more than just a sign of rebellion or a rite of passage. Instead, many find that tattoos are a form of self-expression,” according to hr.blr.com.

If you’re all tatted up and the employer you’re dreaming of working for isn’t about it, maybe you need to think about your workplace’s values. It may or may not be important to you that you get to express yourself in your place of work. It all depends on the kind of work you want to do. Here’s a list of employers who don’t mind if you have tattoos (according to CBS news):

- The military has the highest percentage of people with tattoos (surprise surprise)

- Google

- Ticketmaster

- Amazon

- Applebee’s (among other restaurants)

If you want a tattoo (or you already have one) then you need to explore your options with employers who are accepting of body art. It’s a pain in the behind to apply for your perfect job, only to be told that your tattoos must be covered at all times.

Suggested tattoo placement for easy cover-up

Shoulder blade: This is a good place for a tattoo if you’re going to work somewhere that tattoos aren’t allowed to be visible. If you’re dressed professionally, you won’t be able to see it here!

https://img.buzzfeed.com

Ankle: Subtle tattoos on the ankle are good for the workplace. You’ll be able to show it off when you want to, but it won’t be obvious that you’re tatted up.

https://img.buzzfeed.com 

Rib cageThis one hurts. Everything I’ve read warns against getting your first tattoo here. But, like the shoulder blade, this is a good place for a tattoo if you’re going to work somewhere where tattoos are still taboo. You’ll be able to show it off at the pool, but not when you’re meeting with your boss!

https://img.buzzfeed.com 

Foot: Like the ankle, this is a good place for a subtle tattoo. I’ve also heard this one hurts pretty badly — so be warned! But again, you’ll be able to cover it up when you need to, and show it off whenever you want! 

https://img.buzzfeed.com

Behind the ear: I know a lot of people who got tattoos behind their ear. It’s easy to cover up if you have long hair, but be mindful that it’ll be easy to forget about and let show in the workplace. If you get a tattoo here, you’ll have to make sure your hair covers a reasonable amount of it.

https://img.buzzfeed.com 

“Workers with visible smaller, discrete, non-offensive tattoos are more likely to be accepted by businesses,” says Sue Murphy, association manager for the National Human Resources Association.

When you start thinking about what kind of tattoo you want to get, the most important thing you can consider is your future in the workplace. Will the tattoo you’re considering be easy to conceal? Non-offensive? The last thing you want to do is throw yourself out of the running for a job because of a decision you made on a drunk night at 18.

My greatest piece of advice to you is to think about it. Consider all your options. And remember, tattoos are really expensive to get taken off.

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