More and more tattoos and piercings are becoming more popular and accepted in the workplace. You can probably even remember when body art and piercings were highly frowned upon, and it was thought of to be rebellious.
Just to give you an idea…30 years ago 1 in 100 people had one or more tattoos. Now, 1 in 10 people in the U.S. have at least one tattoo. The most popular ages to have tattoos is 25-30 years of age, making up one-third of the tattooed population.
If your work tells you that you can’t wear piercings or show your tattoos in the workplace, they aren’t doing anything illegal. The law only covers discrimination on race, color, religion, age, nationality, origin, and gender. The only exception may be if you’re Hindu and have a nose ring, this could be thought of as a religious observation. Employers can’t fire you for having piercings or tattoos, but it can keep them from hiring you. Plus, an employer can change a dress code at any time.
Recently, 60% of employers said they were less likely to hire someone with tattoos or piercings. They were worried how the company would be viewed or represented. Many employers have an image they want for their business, a cookie cutter mentality in a way. Tattoos usually have to be covered up and piercing removed, unless you aren’t dealing with the public.
Some employers, such as Borders Book Store and Ford Motor Company, view body art and piercings as something that makes a worker more interesting and a definite plus. For companies that are concerned about body art and piercing, they say that large tattoos and tongue piercings are the most concerning.
Many tattoo studios/shops and tattoo artists will have consultations with customers/clients beforehand. This is to find out if they have thought about the consequences and permanence of tattoos. Placement of a tattoo can be important too, depending on a person’s profession.
Already have tattoos? Camouflaging your tattoos can be helpful too. Using concealer, Band-Aid’s, bracelets, long sleeves, pants, thick tights, or strappy heels can help conceal tattoos that employers may not feel comfortable with. Plastic or flesh colored jewelry can also be used in place of regular piercings while you are working. Around 70% conceal their body art or piercings while at the workplace, and 30% do not.
When you are thinking of getting a tattoo or piercing, make sure to consider where you would like the placement to be and how your future may be affected by it. Tattoos are permanent and you should feel at ease with your decision. If you have more questions contact your local tattoo studio and make sure to schedule a consultation so you have all of your questions answered.