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What do you think about tattoos in the corporate world?

Last Updated: December 19, 2015 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 20 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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I saw an interesting article the other day on Yahoo about tattoos, piercings, and other things that are consider corporate “no-nos.”

A lot of people have tattoos nowadays.  I don’t mind them, I like them. The BF has tattoos all over, and so do a lot of my guy friends. I don’t have any though.

Some corporations have policies on tattoos, hair, piercings and other things, but some don’t. However, most managers in businesses and the corporate world want a more “clean cut” employee.

“Top personal attributes that make employees less likely to receive a promotion, according to hiring managers:
• Piercings: 37%
• Bad Breath: 34%
• Visible Tattoo: 31%
• Wrinkled Clothes: 31%
• Messy Hair: 29%”

My work has never stated a policy, but I meet with clients at least once a week, so I know for a fact that I can’t have anything that’s visible. What’s your work’s thought about this?

What are your thoughts on tattoos, piercings, etc?

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20 Comments
Filed Under: Career Tagged With: Career

About Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Michelle is the founder of Making Sense of Cents, a blog about personal finance and traveling. She discusses how her business has evolved in her side income series. She paid off $40,000 in student loans by the age of 24 mainly due to her freelancing side hustles. Click here to learn more about starting a blog!

Comments

  1. Newlyweds on a Budge says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:26 am

    I don't have any tattoos and neither does my husband. Our mothers are both very anti-tattoo. And for my husband's job, he could definitely not being considered for a job if he had any visible tattoos. I don't really care if people have tattoos or not but they do give a certain impression. It's not judgement, it's just reality.

    Reply
  2. Counting all my star says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:52 am

    I have been with my company for 3 years now and not one of my coworkers including bosses knows I have any tattoos. Most of my tattoos are visible but I have mastered the skill of covering them. I have never asked if there was a policy against them, I just thought it would be easier to keep it out of sight out of mind. I'm sure it would stir up a problem if I know my boss correctly. I would love to one day find a place I love to work at without worrying about covering my tats. I like to think of my tattoos as my personality traits.

    Reply
  3. Carrie Smith says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:59 am

    I personally like tattoos (I don't have any but I like guys that do) and piercings, and I have more than a few on my body.Another thing that is slightly frowned upon is brightly colored hair, which I love and do all the time. But I'm constantly changing it because of client meetings and such. I'm pretty successful with my career, and I don't judge anyone else differently if they have tattoos, piercings or weird hair. Too bad a lot of other people do.

    Reply
  4. Louise says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:10 am

    I don't mind if people want tatoos and peircings, that's up to them. But as an employee representing a company then the boss has the right to decide how they want to be represented. Having been an employer in the past, I expect people representing me to have covered up tattoos and removed peircings, if they don't like that then move on.

    Reply
  5. Alysa@ImpulseSave says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:11 am

    Tattoos are an interesting subject for me. It honestly depends upon if they look good on the person. I know that might sound weird but I saw this beautiful girl with such an interesting tattoo sleeve and it just fit her, it fit her personality and it looked great! As far as work, I'm a part of the start-up community and so we wear jeans and boots to work just because all the extra money we have goes into our getting our business off the ground! I guess what I'm saying is unless it's a pin-up tattoo and you're not doing it for attention, I'm not offended!

    Reply
  6. Jeff says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:19 am

    there should be more tattoos in the world!!! Everyone needs one (or 24):)

    Reply
  7. Dy says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:23 am

    My office is very conservative when it comes to things like tattoos, piercings, and hair color. A few of the younger guys have pierced ears, but overall it's not going to be something that is favorably regarded by management. We did have a summer intern once that had visible tattoos, and the placement wasn't a good fit for either the company or her.

    Reply
  8. Liquid says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:46 am

    Some of my acquaintances have tattoos, it gives them a unique personality. I think the clean cut factor depends on the job. If you work with the general public on a professional basis, like at a bank, then visible tattoos, nose rings, and messy hair wouldn't be ideal. But if you're a night club bouncer, a tattoo artist, or a truck driver, then it's no big deal. Instead, skills and work ethic comes more into play.

    Reply
  9. Little Lamb says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:18 am

    I'm not a huge fan of tattoo's (but that's just a personal thing). I don't think they look very professional in the corporate world but I think most attempts at covering them up look worse then the actual tattoo or piercing. I'm not offended by them at all.

    Reply
  10. Alex M says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:50 am

    I have two tattoos which I keep private. I believe visible tattoos would definitely have held me back professionally. I think there are some business sectors where they hinder rather than help and can understand those where they are forbidden.

    Reply
  11. Tanner says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:51 am

    I'm not for or against tattoos or piercings, but as far as the corporate world is concerned, if they can be covered, I dont care. I find it amusing, however, that they are classifying things like wrinkly clothes and messy hair on the same category as tattoos and piercings.

    Reply
  12. April says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:58 am

    I have a tattoo but when I got it, I specifically got it on my lower back so I would be able to cover it up if I wanted to because I did do a lot of work with the public and visible tattoos do more or less "lable" you. My niece has tattoos everywhere–arms, aross the top of her chest, legs–I want to cry every time I see her!

    Reply
  13. Penny says

    November 10, 2011 at 12:57 pm

    I think it depends on where you work, but I think if you work somewhere with a business casual dress code you shouldn't have visible tattoos or body piercings. It's not that hard to choose somewhere they won't be seen, especially if you wear long sleeves.

    Reply
  14. Married...with a Pup says

    November 10, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    What a great question! I really think it depends on ages/generations. For example, I work at a SUPER conservative place. I get "looks" if I take off my suit jacket, lol! But, I say, to each their own!

    Reply
  15. AverageJoe says

    November 10, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    I don't mind tattoos at all but I know this: there are plenty of people who DO mind them in the workplace. If I'm looking for the advantage in a workplace market crowded with talented people looking to steal my job, I'm not giving my boss any reason, whether it's a tattoo, piercing, late to work, inappropriate dress, or whatever. So, for the workplace, I'll never have one that I can't cover up.

    Reply
  16. Serendipity says

    November 10, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    I think it depends on the place of employment. I have a tattoo which is hidden so it's really not that big of a deal but if I had a more visible one my boss would probably be annoyed with it.

    Reply
  17. Namine says

    November 10, 2011 at 7:24 pm

    I am okay with anything as long as it can be covered. My biggest issue is that when the boss is away people won't cover and therefore break the rules. While I don't have a Tattoo I am considering getting one. But I want it to be in a spot easy to cover.

    Reply
  18. ~Carla~ says

    November 10, 2011 at 7:29 pm

    I'm honestly not a fan of tattoos or peircings. I don't have any either, well, one in each ear, but thats all. My husband on the other hand LOVES tattoos and has a full sleeve, a 1/2 sleeve, and plans for more. Crazy guy!! 😉 lol! Oh, he's also night manager at work…

    Reply
  19. Michelle P says

    November 11, 2011 at 5:01 am

    Thanks for everyone's inputs! I do agree that if you can cover them with a long sleeve/pants/etc, then you should, because of course you will get judged in certain industries.And Carla, I'm like you. I have none, and the BF has a full sleeve, half sleeve and his chest is covered.

    Reply
  20. Astra says

    November 11, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    I work in a pre school and we cant have ANY visible piercing or tats except 1 pair plain studs… It doesn't effect me personally but I don't think people should have to hide the choices they've made and how they choose to decorate their bodies, it's good for kids to see diversity.

    Reply

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