While the history of tattoos hasn’t always been kind to lovers of the art form, at one point, it was said that only gangs, bikers, and prostitutes had ink. The world of ink has long since expanded from those shallow-minded opinions of people who adorn their art on their skin.
As the popularity of tattooing grows, so too does the discussion about tattoos in the workplace. Whether or not you have your own personal opinion about workplace tattoos will depend on whether you have them.
As the popularity of tattoos increases, employers are faced with deciding whether or not they should allow them in the workplace. This is, of course, a controversial subject for many. Fortunately, many employers are now embracing the fact that their employees want to express themselves through the means of body modification.
Whether that means a loose policy on tattoos, disallowing only offensive artwork, or a more strict policy that requires tattoos to be covered. In most cases, your hospitality, medical, or customer-oriented jobs will be a bit stricter on tattoos in the workplace. Depending on the establishment, they may require that all of their employee’s ink be covered at all times.
This, of course, still leaves plenty of room for tattoos on the average human body, but it can still limit where the tattoo placement will be done if you are considering adding more tattoos.
Artist: Mike Tarquino[/caption]
Other fields that don’t require much face-to-face time with customers or those in care facilities may be a bit more lenient, allowing visible tattoos. That, however, doesn’t mean that these jobs can’t be just as lucrative as those that require ink to be covered. When you are thinking about ink, you should always keep your work field of interest in min.
If you want to become a tattoo artist or a successful tattoo model, tattoos are always welcome and usually expected. However, if you choose to go into the medical field, you’re going to want to hold back a little bit on the facial, throat, or hand tattoos, at least until you get a feel for your employer’s tattoo policy.
Overall, tattoo policies are fairly loosely enforced by law. Whether you live in an at-will state or not, you still have to adhere to your employer’s outlined dress codes. It is always good to remember that the law favors the employer where body modification is concerned, allowing them to put policies in place, banning or restricting visible tattoos.
As a note, it’s always best to be transparent with a potential employer. If you have tattoos hidden in a suit and tie but would otherwise be visible in a work uniform, asking them about their tattoo policy will always ensure that you put your right foot forward and through the door at a potential job.
Artist: Lui Renzo[/caption]
The best tip to remember is that thinking about a tattoo will ensure that you’re ready for anything that comes your way. Fortunately, this isn’t going to be something we have to worry about in the next two decades as more and more of our youth take over more prominent positions in companies. As the world begins to accept tattoos more readily, they will also begin to accept the idea of their employees wearing priceless works of art on their skin.
As an employer, it’s best to consider what you’re really looking at when interviewing someone. If they’re intelligent, competent, and have the work history to back their resume, why limit yourself just because they have a tattoo or two in places that may otherwise be banned in the company? What many people fail to realize is that many people with tattoos are knowledgeable and hard-working individuals.