2 answers
Chris
Student
Cantonment, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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Why is it hard to gain a career by having tattoos and or piercings??
I understand having vulgar tattoos may make it difficult.
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2 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1182
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Chris !
It's not always difficult to obtain a career if you have tattoos, but it depends on which field of work you're referring to. There are certain fields of work that overlook and do not judge people if they have tattoos. I worked in social service non-profits and had many co-workers with not only tattoos, but piercings and large ear gauges.
Some other flexible fields of work that don't discriminate about tattoos are most careers in the arts and any form of work in which a person doesn't have heavy public contact should possibly be fine. Many people also do not have visible tattoos so it wouldn't matter. I think that in the corporate world, owners or managers prefer not to have employees have anything provocative because it might be a way of accounts or customers making decisions that would cause the company to not draw in revenue. This definitely is true for dress codes, too. Some places have a more relaxed dress code and some have one that is business suit corporate. It just depends on which type of work you're thinking about. Personally, I am not bothered about it. A dental assistant I had a couple of years ago had a sleeve and other tattoos and she was the nicest person ever. I guess it depends on the person and managers make assumptions based on just wanting the best chances for their company.
I have left some links to some reading material for you below and I also want to add an article at the Tat Ring Website. The URL for that article is
https://tatring.com/getting-tattooed/Where-Can-You-Work-and-Show-Your-Tattoos and it talks about types of work that are tattoo friendly. I hope that this has been helpful. Best wishes to you in all you do !
TATTOOS IN THE WORKPLACE https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/starting-new-job/tattoos-in-a-workplace
BUSINESS INSIDER https://www.businessinsider.com/what-hiring-managers-really-think-of-your-tattoos-2016-1
WHAT EMPLOYERS THINK ABOUT TATTOOS https://ignitestudentlife.com/employers-share-their-thoughts-on-tattoos/
ARE TATTOOS STILL A BURDEN IN THE WORKPLACE ? ARTICLE https://stories.uh.edu/2022-tattoo-study/index.html
ARTICLE IN INC MAGAZINE https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/do-your-tattoos-mean-you-wont-get-hired-studies-say-yes-unless-this-happens.html
It's not always difficult to obtain a career if you have tattoos, but it depends on which field of work you're referring to. There are certain fields of work that overlook and do not judge people if they have tattoos. I worked in social service non-profits and had many co-workers with not only tattoos, but piercings and large ear gauges.
Some other flexible fields of work that don't discriminate about tattoos are most careers in the arts and any form of work in which a person doesn't have heavy public contact should possibly be fine. Many people also do not have visible tattoos so it wouldn't matter. I think that in the corporate world, owners or managers prefer not to have employees have anything provocative because it might be a way of accounts or customers making decisions that would cause the company to not draw in revenue. This definitely is true for dress codes, too. Some places have a more relaxed dress code and some have one that is business suit corporate. It just depends on which type of work you're thinking about. Personally, I am not bothered about it. A dental assistant I had a couple of years ago had a sleeve and other tattoos and she was the nicest person ever. I guess it depends on the person and managers make assumptions based on just wanting the best chances for their company.
I have left some links to some reading material for you below and I also want to add an article at the Tat Ring Website. The URL for that article is
https://tatring.com/getting-tattooed/Where-Can-You-Work-and-Show-Your-Tattoos and it talks about types of work that are tattoo friendly. I hope that this has been helpful. Best wishes to you in all you do !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3867
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Chris,
Actionable Insights:
Perception and Stereotyping: Visible tattoos and piercings may lead to unfavorable impressions in some professional settings. A number of employers continue to uphold conventional beliefs about workplace appearances, linking tattoos and piercings to defiance, unprofessional behavior, or lack of dedication. Such impressions can limit career prospects, particularly in sectors where a traditional image is appreciated.
Client or Customer Expectations: In roles that involve direct interaction with customers, like sales or client services, visible tattoos and piercings might not coincide with the company's preferred image or the expectations of their customers. Businesses often focus on maintaining a specific brand image to attract their target audience, leading them to implement strict dress codes that ban visible body modifications.
Company Regulations and Dress Codes: Certain companies have explicit policies about tattoos and piercings at work. Although attitudes are slowly becoming more accepting of body art, there are still firms that impose strict dress codes, mandating employees to cover tattoos or remove piercings while at work. Non-compliance with these policies can lead to disciplinary measures or even job loss.
Professionalism and Trustworthiness: In professions where trust, credibility, and professionalism are crucial, visible tattoos and piercings may be seen as a distraction or an obstacle to establishing rapport with clients or colleagues. People with body modifications may struggle to be taken seriously or considered competent professionals due to deep-seated biases against non-traditional appearances.
Career Growth and Promotion: Despite evolving attitudes towards tattoos and piercings, a stigma still exists in many workplaces. This stigma can affect a person's chances of career growth and promotion, as opportunities for leadership roles may be influenced by perceptions of professionalism based on appearance.
Personal Branding and Image Management: For those aiming to build a strong personal brand or professional reputation, visible tattoos or piercings can hinder efforts to project a specific image. Managing one's personal brand involves understanding how each aspect of one's presentation, including appearance, shapes others' perception of them in a professional setting.
Conclusion: To conclude, while attitudes towards tattoos and piercings are gradually changing in many sectors, visible body modifications in the workplace still pose challenges. Factors such as perception, client expectations, company policies, professionalism, career growth, and personal branding all contribute to the difficulty of pursuing a career with tattoos and piercings. It's crucial for individuals to consider these factors when deciding on body art and understand the potential effects on their professional prospects.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
Harvard Business Review: The Harvard Business Review offers insights into workplace dynamics, including discussions on professionalism, appearance standards, and career advancement considerations related to visible body modifications.
Forbes: Forbes provides articles on personal branding, professional image management, and the impact of appearance on career success. They frequently discuss how tattoos and piercings can shape perceptions in the workplace.
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): SHRM shares resources on HR practices, workplace policies, and legal considerations related to employee appearance standards. Their content provides valuable insights into how companies handle issues surrounding tattoos and piercings in professional environments.
Stay Blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.
Actionable Insights:
Perception and Stereotyping: Visible tattoos and piercings may lead to unfavorable impressions in some professional settings. A number of employers continue to uphold conventional beliefs about workplace appearances, linking tattoos and piercings to defiance, unprofessional behavior, or lack of dedication. Such impressions can limit career prospects, particularly in sectors where a traditional image is appreciated.
Client or Customer Expectations: In roles that involve direct interaction with customers, like sales or client services, visible tattoos and piercings might not coincide with the company's preferred image or the expectations of their customers. Businesses often focus on maintaining a specific brand image to attract their target audience, leading them to implement strict dress codes that ban visible body modifications.
Company Regulations and Dress Codes: Certain companies have explicit policies about tattoos and piercings at work. Although attitudes are slowly becoming more accepting of body art, there are still firms that impose strict dress codes, mandating employees to cover tattoos or remove piercings while at work. Non-compliance with these policies can lead to disciplinary measures or even job loss.
Professionalism and Trustworthiness: In professions where trust, credibility, and professionalism are crucial, visible tattoos and piercings may be seen as a distraction or an obstacle to establishing rapport with clients or colleagues. People with body modifications may struggle to be taken seriously or considered competent professionals due to deep-seated biases against non-traditional appearances.
Career Growth and Promotion: Despite evolving attitudes towards tattoos and piercings, a stigma still exists in many workplaces. This stigma can affect a person's chances of career growth and promotion, as opportunities for leadership roles may be influenced by perceptions of professionalism based on appearance.
Personal Branding and Image Management: For those aiming to build a strong personal brand or professional reputation, visible tattoos or piercings can hinder efforts to project a specific image. Managing one's personal brand involves understanding how each aspect of one's presentation, including appearance, shapes others' perception of them in a professional setting.
Conclusion: To conclude, while attitudes towards tattoos and piercings are gradually changing in many sectors, visible body modifications in the workplace still pose challenges. Factors such as perception, client expectations, company policies, professionalism, career growth, and personal branding all contribute to the difficulty of pursuing a career with tattoos and piercings. It's crucial for individuals to consider these factors when deciding on body art and understand the potential effects on their professional prospects.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
Harvard Business Review: The Harvard Business Review offers insights into workplace dynamics, including discussions on professionalism, appearance standards, and career advancement considerations related to visible body modifications.
Forbes: Forbes provides articles on personal branding, professional image management, and the impact of appearance on career success. They frequently discuss how tattoos and piercings can shape perceptions in the workplace.
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): SHRM shares resources on HR practices, workplace policies, and legal considerations related to employee appearance standards. Their content provides valuable insights into how companies handle issues surrounding tattoos and piercings in professional environments.
Stay Blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.