Are Tattoos at Work Really That Acceptable?

MSNBC says that tattoos are becoming more acceptable for potential employees. Their thoughts:

While more than 14.5 million Americans are out of work, tattoos are becoming less of an obstacle to finding employment, according to a Challenger Gray Christmas report released earlier this week.

Tattooing has become so common employers are increasingly forced to choose between rejecting inked employees or having a severely limited job candidate pool, said John A. Challenger, CEO of the outplacement firm.

“Today, even in this tight job market, most companies are not going to view tattoos too harshly,” he said. “One reason is that with everyone from soccer moms to MIT computer science graduates sporting tattoos, preconceptions about tattooed individuals are no longer valid. Secondly, and more importantly, companies have a vested interest in hiring the most qualified candidate.”

Human resource workers have been seeing more job applicants with tattoos, including more with prominent art placement such as on the face, said Sue Murphy, association manager for the National Human Resources Association.

Tattoo-friendliness often depends on the position, employer and industry the worker is in, she said. Employees having frequent face time with customers are more likely to be forced to cover up than those working a cubicle desk position, according to Murphy.

Here are my thoughts on this issue:

• These two set of comments don't make sense to me:

• "While more than 14.5 million Americans are out of work" and "this tight job market"
• "Tattooing has become so common employers are increasingly forced to choose between rejecting inked employees or having a severely limited job candidate pool."

It seems to me that employers can be as picky as they want to be these days. No?

• "Preconceptions about tattooed individuals are no longer valid." Really? Most of the people I know (in middle to upper management) might not think tattoos reflect gang activity or biker stereotypes, but most would say they do hint at poor judgment. Why? Because most (not all mind you) employers and most (not all mind you) hiring managers are more conservative/older, and this group generally frowns on tattoos in my experience.
• "Human resource workers have been seeing more job applicants with tattoos, including more with prominent art placement such as on the face." On the face? Really? To me, that's the kiss of death.
• "Tattoo-friendliness often depends on the position, employer and industry the worker is in." I agree. And while it may be more acceptable these days to have a tattoo, I think the percent of employers and hiring managers willing to overlook them is still small.
• Here's my question: in today's tough job market, why make it tougher on yourself by getting a tattoo? For the same business reasons that I wouldn't get a nose ring or paint my hair blue, I wouldn't get a tattoo. Why make life harder on yourself -- especially when you're putting your #1 financial asset (your career) at risk?
• Here's my advice: don't get a tattoo. If you MUST get one, put it somewhere easily concealable -- on a spot where you normally would wear clothing in a work setting.

Maybe I'm just showing my age. What's your take on the issue?

Comments

[Amanda]

You are showing your age.

Tattoos are a dumb reason to reject the best candidate.

[Traciatim]

It depends on the tattoo, there is a huge difference between a star or symbol on the nape of a neck showing and a huge neck/back/sleeve covered scene that looks more like a permanent t-shirt than a tattoo. It's the same with piercings, there is a rather large difference between a little nose stud and three barbells in the bridge of your nose and a bull ring; or those crazy looking 00 gauge hole things.

[PMT]

Years ago when I was in high school working at Dairy Queen I had a new co-worker show had her hand bandaged and wore a latex glove. She said she cut her hand but turns out she got ink. She was fired shortly after the revelation...not because of the tattoo but because of the lying.

As for as today's workplace I think it is more acceptable and common place but really depends on the company. For me it comes down to customer facing and the company image. In tech support, where I used to work, a tattoo doesn't matter but in sales w/face-to-face contact I think it would. While I don't think the presence of a tattoo necessarily reflects the character of a person you can certainly learn a lot from what the tattoo is. Ultimately my rambling comes down to I wouldn't be opposed to hiring one with a tattoo but would certainly think twice if it were across the forehead or of something vulgar/offensive

[Amelia]

I tend to agree with you. I don't have anything against tattoos that are easily hidden when you wear clothes, nor do I have anything against small, discreet tattoos, for example, on the wrist or ankle, but to me, anything else, particularly on the neck or face, is distracting. I think it's going a little far to say all tattoos hint of poor judgement. Most people I know who have them, get them for reasons that are deeply meaningful to them. However, unless you are in a situation to explain them, they shouldn't be on display. People who resent the fact that others are curious about their body art, shouldn't be putting it out there, in my opinion. It's similar to a woman wearing a very low cut blouse, who then gets up in arms when people stare at her cleavage. There is a time and place for everything. When you are being paid by a company, you represent that company and they have a right to control the image that is presented to the public.

[tom]

First of all. If you are out of work, why are you spending money on a tattoo?

If you are reckless enough to do that, you probably aren't the best candidate for the job anyway.

I agree with Amelia for the rest of it.

[Jo]

I agree with the others: I think it depends on the job, the person, the nature and place of the tattoo. I think tattoos are more common these days and more acceptable. But in a professional setting it depends on the tattoo. Anything that is vulgar or offensive would not be acceptable, and anything on the face (or atleast huge on the face). I tend to not like huge sleeve, back or leg tattoos, but some are very beautiful and I don't think having something like that should automatically discount you as a good candidate.

I know a very good and capable youth minister with several tattoos and a small nose ring...her ink and jewelry does not reflect her ability. I know several people with tattoos from all walks of life, including company executives, ministers, moms, dads, computer programmers, etc...and myself.

[Apex]

I question the judgement of someone who gets a tattoo. If they were really young and careless, well stuff happens. If they got more than one, now I really question their judgement. It's going to factor into what I think of their ability to make wise decisions, which is going to factor into whether I hire them.

[Evan]

FMF,

I couldn't disagree with Amanda more; you aren't showing your age at all. I am only 28. But when I see someone all Inked up, or worse those f'in holes in the ear that some people do (not earning but those see-thru holes) most people make assumptions.

It doesn't have to be an HR person either, what if you are in sales who the hell is buying ANYTHING from a guy who has FEAR tatooed on their knuckles? or who doesn't laugh/get really interested when you see a girl with a tramp stamp (it is called tramp stamp lol)?

Maybe I/We shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but let's get serious these are voluntary decisions...I am not against getting inked up as long as you understand the decision you are making when you put the japanese symbol for love above your ass

[Budgeting in the Fun Stuff]

I wouldn't get a tattoo in a prominent place like the face simply since it would limit my options. If I ever do get a tattoo, it would be somewhere discreet (maybe not completely covered, but at least on an ankle or wrist or something less distracting than the face and neck).

I personally don't think tattoos "hint at poor judgment". They seem to be expressions of personality to me...even the sleeves or the face ones. Would I hire a salesrep that may put off my customers, probably not, but if a great personality surpasses the tattoo, who cares? They'll still bring in the clients...

[Strick]

I see it (a big noticable tattoo) the same as wearing jeans (that they can never take off...). Does it seem silly to me to care? Yes. If my investment banker was wearing jeans, I'd have no prob with that.

But Do I care because many of my clients/customers care? Well, sure.

If I instead worked in an industry where none of my clients/customers cared would I care? No.

[PDubbs]

Would you disqualify the best candidate if they were overweight?

It was probably a choice for them to over-eat, not exercise, what ever the cause is. (It is also sometimes not a choice to get a tattoo, i.e. Navy, etc) It impacts their appearance. It probably reflects poor judgement in lifestyle choices. It is actually probably worse than a tattoo health-wise. Not really much difference IMHO. Maybe I'm just showing my age? ;-)

[Tyler]

Most unemployment is at the lower end of the employment scale where it really doesnt matter if they have a tattoo. Finding people at the top end of the employment scale is still a difficult task.

In a true meritocracy, holes in the ears, tattoos, looks, etc. are unimportant. Performance matters. I love people who discount a performer because of their looks. It creates an inefficiency in the labor market that works to my benifit.

Met a guy a few weeks ago who consistently delivers $30mm of profits every single year. He currently takes 30% of that- $10mm a year. Tons of tattoos and long hair! Please make it easier for me to hire him.

And because its relevant, I don't have any ink, and I'm about as formal and clean cut as it gets.

[Stephan]

not dumb at all and i dont think its an age thing either. The majority of industries from finance to engineering to whatever require some sort of customer interaction. Having a tatoo visible might not seem like a big deal to some but why risk it? I totally agree that one on the face would be a kiss of death.
But either way, i dont think tattoos should be banned, just dont place them in visible areas. no one cares if you have a tatoo on your shoulder blade if you wear a shirt all day at work. from my standpoint, if i had a choice between two equal candidates and one had a visible tatoo and the other didnt, the choice is easy, why risk alienating customers by choosing the one with a tatoo on his face?
Preferred Financial Services

[RBK]

FMF,

I agree with some of your comments: it does depend on the position, the employer, and the industry, and I certainly think it can do you harm to get one and I often wonder why so many people do. My advice for anyone wanting a professional job would be to not get one or get one that is hidden in business attire.

However, I don't think traditional stereotypes apply anymore. Tattoos are far more mainstream today than they were even 10 years ago, and they are not confined to a certain class or type of individual. I am a college professor and I can think of at least a dozen colleagues that have tattoos. I also live in one of the most tattooed parts of the country and probably more than half my students have tattoos. I don't have any and really don't even like the idea, but if I started judging people base don their ink I'd quickly run off some of my best students and closest coworkers.

If you are hiring and the job requires a very professional appearance, I can understand letting a tattoo affect your hire. In any other circumstance it makes no sense to let a tattoo sway your opinion of an interviewee. I've met way too many capable and smart people with ink to believe it should be a consideration.

Still, some hiring managers feel as you do. So I'd still advise against getting a tat if you can't hide it and want to look professional.

[Bad_Brad]

My 2 cents:

With the exception of tattoo parlors, biker bars, and strip clubs, the tattoo will never help you get a job.

In almost any other circumstance, the tattoo might hurt you in getting a job.

[The Biz of Life]

Personally I find tattoos distasteful in general. But it is free country, and people have the right to deface their bodies any way they choose. However, I think companies also have the right to decline to hire people or even fire people who have offensive tattoos that are visible to their customers.

[Noadi]

There are only a handful of places you can get a tattoo that can't be covered: On the face, hands, and neck. Everywhere else long sleeved shirts or pants will cover. There is absolutely no reason not to hire someone who has tattoos in 99% of cases since most people with tattoos don't have them on their face or hands. I'm now self-employed so I can have all the tattoos I want (and considering I'm in the arts field no one really cares anyway) however I used to work for a school and as long as my tattoo was covered the school district didn't care.

[guinness416]

There are tattoos and there are tattoos. I can't imagine anyone with distracting neck tattoos would get far where I work (though I could be wrong) but I've worked with great professional, client-facing staff both junior and senior who have tattoos on knuckles, hands, ankles and arms. I've never heard a peep about them from clients, bosses or colleagues. My sense is that most people don't notice them after a day or two any more than one would a birthmark.
It's like anything else, I guess, if you're a weak candidate and poor interviewee people may take issue with something like a tattoo, poor dress sense or similar stuff like that.

[Carol]

I have mixed feelings about tattoos. I hired a man to drive our senior van. I had concerns about how our elderly passengers would received him, but they just love him. However, I find that head, face, neck, and an "over inked" looks are repelling. I don't have concerns about tattoos that can be covered by clothing, but I don't want a anyone who looks like a cartoon character on my staff. It sends a bad message.

[MC]

Always remember the rule of style: No matter how cool it looks now, it's bound to look pretty stupid 20 years later.

So I'm glad tattoo-ing wasn't "in" in the 1970's and 80's when I was young. Or I'd probably now be regretting getting permanently inked with a tattoo version of the bell-bottomed jeans and ugly medallions that I thought were so cool in the 70's.

I do have multiple ear-pearcings from the 80's--I was so edgy!--but now I only wear earrings in one per ear and you have to look closely to see the other holes. I also used to wear ripped up tights, doc martins, and a thrift-store leather motorcycle jacket everywhere (& safety pins in the other ear holes). Of course that would look pretty stupid today too.

I'd make an exception in my opinion for totally private tattoos that you don't show off in public. Because these are obviously not done to make an impression on people--just for personal reasons.

Would I hire someone with a really large visible tattoo? No. Because I would assume they had problems with self-esteem, and I'd expect the person to be defensive and hard to get along with. I'd assume the tattoo meant that they wanted to be "in" everyone's face all the time. At the very least, I'd expect them to have poor judgement and/or be very immature. Also, I wouldn't hire them because visible tattoos are prohibited at my company. A small visible tattoo--no problem for me personally, although I'd wonder a little about you and of course I couldn't hire you due to my company's policies. A facial tattoo? Expect me to cross the street and avoid you.

If you gotta have one, make sure you can cover it up I say, or expect your employment opportunities to be limited.

[Melissa J.]

Is everything that you do based on whether you can find a job? I struggled with wanting a tattoo for the longest time and my "acceptability" to the "establishment". I am 32 and finally got a tattoo this year on my mother's birthday (she died in 2008) and two days after my father's funeral. The tattoo itself is ivy--my mother had a tattoo with my dad's initials in it (initials covered up later because of divorce). If the tattoo makes me a worse librarian, I can't tell. Of course, its not on my face (they already hurt on your shoulder!)

[Lurker Carl]

Bad hair, dacron-polyester suit, poor grooming can be corrected quickly and forever. Tattoos, not so much. And they become fuzzy blobs after 20 years. Most folk who get "inked" regret it.

[Sarah]

Perhaps this should only be in reference to visible tattoos? Many people (especially ex-military) have tattoos - most are not visible under normal work clothing. Have a tattoo on your arm? You wear long sleeves.

I don't personally see anything wrong with a tattoo, or even thing it necessarily shows poor judgment. If it is in an easily concealed area, that may even show good judgment & the ability to balance what you want with others expectations, and develop a reasonable compromise.

[FMF]

A few thoughts from me:

1. Who knew discussing tatoos would create all these comments? This is fun!!! ;-)

2. For those of you talking visible vs. not visible tatoos, I guess I wasn't clear. I meant tatoos that you could see. If someone has a tatoo and it's never shown, it's the same as if they never had it (at least to the hiring manager/company/customers/clients), isn't it?

3. Evan -- I saw a kid the other day with the big ear holes you describe. I wondered what his future employment opportunities look like...

4. PDubbs -- The overweight issue is an interesting one, and one we've discussed. Like it or not, studies show that overweight people are discriminated against when it comes to hiring. And BTW, overweight people can always lose the weight. Tatoos are difficult to remove.

5. MC -- You said, "Of course I couldn't hire you due to my company's policies." Exactly...

6. Melissa J. -- No, not everything I do is related to finding a job. But since my job is my biggest asset, I am careful to protect it and avoid taking steps that could put it at risk and/or limit my income -- like getting a tatoo.

[ldybug]

Tattoos aren't offensive.
I'm offended by a lot of the people who work in my office are always picking their noses- in the hallway, on the train, in their offices. I see at least 4 people a day doing it. Please, I'd rather see a tattoo of a naked woman on a guys arm or b%tch on someone's neck than a 50+ year old man in a nice business suit digging away at his booger and then touching the intercompany mail. Now that offends me.

I'm also offended by sales people and co-workers who smell like smoke or use too much perfume.

[Apex]

@Idybug,

And I suspect if you interviewed someone who picked their nose you wouldn't hire them. Some people would.

People will all make their own judgements about other people's choices and how they react to those choices.

Expect choices you make to affect how other people view you and treat you. Choose carefully.

[Shaun]

Tattoos rarely help, and often hurt. I would be extra suspicious of someone with a tattoo, because they're more likely to make horrible decisions that have lasting consequences without much benefit... like a tattoo. ;-)

[MC]

Interesting fact--those large ear holes will close up if you don't wear the jewelry in them.

I knew a guy who took the metal hole liners out and his ears went back to normal. So I guess that's a temporary body mod.

[FMF]

MC --

Even the HUGE ones? The guy I saw had holes a couple of inches in diameter.

[Gobankingrates]

Part of the reason I haven't gotten a tattoo yet is because I'm afraid of what it will mean for my hireability. I am thinking about getting one on my ankle though, easily concealable by pants or even makeup if necessary.
I do have a nose stud now, because I wanted one for a long time. However, its not extremely noticeable, and if I take it out, the hole is not noticeable. Two other people I work with have them too, so I guess thats becoming more acceptable too. I think our society as a whole is just getting less strict.

[PDubbs]

FMF,
Point taken. I wasn't saying overweight people aren't discriminated against. My point is that it is foolish (even though we know it happens) to make a judgement of someone's character or work habits based on their appearance, choice or no choice.

Personally, I agree with the majority here because I'm a realist. I wouldn't do it nor would I recommend getting a tattoo that isn't easily concealed.

More food for thought from the article linked below. As the younger generations become the people making hiring decisions, it will be come much less important.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=11200737
"As for tattoos, these statistics might surprise you: 22 percent of women and 26 percent of men said they had tattoos in a 2004 survey published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. The numbers are higher among young adults: Tattoos were reported by 36 percent of 18- to 25-year-olds and 40 percent of 26- to 40-year-olds in a Pew Research Center survey from 2006.

But among 41- to 65-year-olds — the demographic most likely to have teenage children — only 10 percent reported having tattoos."

[Jenna]

As someone with a tattoo with a professional job, I really believe it has to do with what the tattoo looks like (offense, size, location, coloring, etc) and the corporate culture. I have a pretty good side tattoo on the top of my foot, so it visible when I wear open toe shoes in the summer, but easily hidable with slacks for more "conservative" meetings. More importantly, when considering getting a tattoo, think about what it will look like when your 80, not next year.

[jim]

I know. People wear flip flops to church, and the NBA tattoo situation is out of control.

[BD]

I dunno. Tattoos can give you a lot of insight into the person's personality. I'd probably study the tattoos on a potential employee, and based on what the subject matter was and where the placement was, make my decision.

I've always wanted a tattoo (never got one because 1. I'm extremely picky about irreversible choices in art, and 2. I'm poor and can't afford it), but if I was to get one, it'd be very small and concealed.

Like you pointed out, why make it harder on ones' self to find work?

[MBTN]

I think it all depends on the tattoo itself. I don't have anything inherently against them; my wife sports a tattoo so obviously that wasn't a deal breaker. However, the reality is that when you are interviewing, how you look and how you behave all factor into how the interview perceives you both consciously and unconsciously. The interview might SAY that he or she doesn't mind tattoos, but a tattoo might leave an unconscious negative impression with the person.

It's the same reason why you always show up for an interview well dressed, well groomed, no foul odors, etc. All of these things project a certain impression with the interviewer, and when you often only have 15 - 30 minutes in the interview, all of these things matter. In this j

All that being said, I think the fact that tattoos are now "mainstream" might mitigate things somewhat. A small, tasteful tattoo might not be viewed negatively because so many people nowadays have them. However, again, each interviewer might have different standards.

[Suba @ Wealth Informatics]

First of all, I am not a fan of tattoos. Esp. the ones you can see. But I guess what one does to their body is their business and not mine, as long as it doesn't directly affect me or the company.

From what I have seen, the negativeness depends more on the tattoo subject. I saw a guy who applied for a job in our company. He had all these weird "beating a woman" and Dracula with blood (yuck) tattoos, even though I can repeat my first para (it is his body as long as he does the work I shouldn't care...) I can't help but judge. We went with someone else, not because of the tattoo, for various other reasons; but these aggressive tattoo set up the stage for more scrutiny on his past decisions on job hopping. A small flower or something of good taste might have been ignored.

[Matt]

Interesting discussion.

My wife and I were invited to a wedding from my wifes first class she taught. The bride went into teaching because my wife inspired her to. We felt so under dressed in that neither my wife or I had a tattoo. With exception of the parent just about everyone had a visible tattoo. The bride had elvis on her calf of her leg.

I guess it depends on the crowd you are in.

[JimL]

As a related comment, tattoo removal is now the #1 cosmetic procedure performed in the dermatologist/plastic surgeon setting. Obviously, people in very large numbers are regretting the decision they made to get a tattoo.

[LotharBot]

How you present yourself matters. Whether you're talking about a tattoo, a big necklace with a religious symbol, crazy hair, or a habit of making snide political comments, those are all things that could potentially cause issues either with customers or with coworkers. A tattoo is permanent (barring surgery), but aside from that, is not particularly more or less of a problem than those other issues.

Tattoos that are either subtle or easy to cover up generally aren't a problem, but tattoos that are going to be hard for customers and coworkers to ignore could be, depending on the specifics of the work environment. So be smart about the ones you get.

[El Gaupo]

I'd just be happy if my employees would stop telling me about their tattoos.

"This symbolizes my mom, and that my boyfriend, and this squiggle over here is..."

That said, as someone who hires, tattoos rarely impress me...and I'm not old.

[Money Reasons]

While I don't have tattoos and they don't bother me so much, I'm worried about body piercings... Especially when they are in the nose, lips or eyebrows.

Sign of the times I guess...

[billyjobob]

I say if you like body art... then buy a fancy T-shirt. You can express your feelings when your with your gang. And when its time to go to work you can change into professional mode. And if you get a face tattoo... you have pretty much limited the kinds af work you will be able to get in your life.

[Keith]

FMF-

I agree. Tatoo's show a lack of good judgement. Some people just don't know how to spend money.

[Kris]

They're better than the contact ringing of cell phones in the office. I work with people who leave their ring volume high so they can hear it, then walk away and take forever to answer. Don't people know about vibrate? Don't they realize we don't want to hear their personal phones at work?

So I'd gladly trade those for a few tatoos...

[guinness416]

Kris - I had a boss a while back who would take people's (personal) cellphones and stuff them in the fridge or the freezer if he heard them ringing while unattended. Drove him mad. Now that we're all blackberried up so as to be tethered to the office 24/7 I suppose it doesn't matter any more, there's always cellphones going off.

[Rob Ward]

I've got a tattoo but unless I had told my co-workers about it, they never would have known. It is on my arm, just below my shoulder.

I agree that there are probably some people that had poor judgment and that is why they got a tattoo but I don't think that is the case for everyone. It was probably a mix with me. I was only 20 but I had wanted the tattoo I got for quite a few years (it is a symbol for the Trinity). But it was a bit impulsive.

And now I want another one...but I've got more important things to spend money on at the moment, like paying off debt.

[Rob Ward]

I forgot to mention that although I have a tattoo, I'm not a big fan when people have a lot of tattoos all up and down their arms. Not attractive at all in my opinion. I'd rather just see one or two which is much less distracting.

[Old Limey]

If I was the manager of an NFL football team, a tattoo on a player is a non-issue. If he is a really great player I would welcome him with open arms and give him a multi-million dollar contract.

[ella]

a few points:

1) in some lines of work, tattoos can be a benefit (this is the case for someone very close to me). i don't believe anyone's discussed this yet.

2) most people who are out of work are not spending money to get tattoos. if they have tattoos, they likely got them while gainfully employed. let's not get judgey about unemployed kids spending their money stupidly, when it's quite surely not the case for most.

3) i often enjoy that, while my tattoos are easily covered, they're extensive. this means that i can be a good ambassador for the tattooed by enjoying lively, professional conversations, but later revealing my ink. books/covers/not judging anyone? it truly is fun to have an exterior that doesn't match preconceptions.

[Ryan@theFinancialStudent]

Depends completely on the individual tattoo and the job position.

Two of my high school teachers had a tattoo (one was visible) and they were completely professional and no old fashioned sterotypes apply to them.

If I was hiring someone, I would only be concerned if the tattoo was offensive.

Personally, if I had a small, non-offensive tattoo in a visible place and a company had a problem with it, I probably don't want to work in that environment anyway.