Are Tattoos in the Workplace Still Taboo?

For a long time, sporting tattoos in the workplace was considered a big no-no. Permanent ink on your skin was something to be kept well hidden from employers’ and clients’ eyes and on some occasions, it even cost people their job. Although visible tattoos still remain off-limits in some industries, in modern times things have changed quite a bit. That’s why questions like “are tattoos unprofessional?” or “do tattoos affect jobs?” are still relevant.

The percentage of people with tattoos in the U.S. is around 46%, third only to Italy and Sweden. The relaxation of prohibition on tattoos emerged gradually as millennials entered the job market. And that’s no surprise since they are the most tattooed generation with around 41% of them having at least one piece of body art, followed by Gen X (32%), Gen Z (23%), and Baby Boomers (13%). Yet, a lot of candidates still feel uncertain about office tattoos etiquette and appropriateness. This is because the perception of tattoos is not just generational, but also dependent on the industry.

Where Tattoos Don’t Cause Eyebrows to Raise Anymore

It’s undeniable that there are some sectors in which the question “are tattoos acceptable in the workplace?” doesn’t even cross our minds anymore. We’re talking about athletes, singers, actors, personal trainers, and those in the beauty or fashion industry. Some might argue that tats in those categories can even be beneficial and add something unique to your professional demeanor, suggesting creativity and confidence.

Other jobs that allow tattoos in the workplace without issue include chefs, construction workers, commercial drivers, IT specialists, marketing experts, designers, and most non-client-facing roles. Due to their typically laid-back environments, start-ups also tend to be accommodating of tattoos no matter the position.

Industries Changing Their Tattoos Attitude

You might ask then what jobs don't allow tattoos? Well, it’s a little bit more complicated than that. While there’s no such a thing as a law prohibiting tattoos in the workplace in any sector, it’s true that companies can choose to have specific codes of conduct in place forbidding the display of body art.

Things are changing though, even in industries in which traditionally tattoos have always been prohibited. That’s the case in the U.S. Armed Forces, in which the tattoo policy has been progressively relaxed in most branches since 2015. Tats on the head, neck, wrists, knees, elbows, or hands are still forbidden in the strictest divisions, but that’s a big change compared to a no-tattoos policy.

Similarly, some airlines decided to allow visible tattoos as long as they’re not on the face, neck, or hands and are no bigger than a work badge. Finally, in the healthcare sector, tattoos were never strictly forbidden, but it was mostly a matter of appropriateness, patient perception, and the attitude of management. With younger generations being more accepting, it’s slowly starting to be more common for doctors and other care providers to have tattoos, especially in non-client-facing roles or in non-visible areas.

Is Tattoo Discrimination in the Workplace Still an Issue?

Although much less common than in the past, people can still be penalized for showing ink. In fact, there’s no specific federal legislation preventing companies from refusing to hire or choosing to fire someone because of their tattoos. The federal employment anti-discrimination statute, the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, only forbids discrimination based on sex, race, color, national origin, and religion.

As with any law, loopholes exist, but they are tricky to prove and should in no way be considered the norm. For instance, discrimination against someone for tattoos that represent their religious faith or national cultural heritage could be seen as legitimate discrimination in the eyes of the law.

So, as long as the company does not move into this territory, they are allowed to implement employee policies about dress and appearance - including tattoos in the workplace - as they wish. In some states and counties, however, the rules about discrimination are starting to be modified to include physical appearance, thus including tattoos as well.

Tattoos and Job Interviews

To prevent any possible tattoo discrimination in the workplace, especially during job interviews there are a couple of actions you can take.

1. Go Traditional and Conceal Your Ink

We know, it’s not ideal, but there are very good reasons behind this suggestion. If you dress appropriately for an interview, chances are that your tattoos will be mostly or completely covered anyway. A survey from Pew Research Center highlighted that around 70% of people say they hide tattoos at work. And the reasons to do so can’t have to do merely with discrimination. Part of the reason is that self-expression is important and should be celebrated. However, in an interview context especially, what you want to emerge is your talent and professionalism, and not any one particular trait. The same would apply if we were talking about piercings, heavy make-up, unusual hair colors, or even your hobbies. As a candidate, you want to avoid triggering any unconscious bias that the recruiter might have and instead impress them with your job skills. Once your talent is established, whether you have green hair, a dragon tattoo on your arm, or a third eye won’t matter anymore.

2. Research the Company

Consider the industry you’re applying to first. How traditional or innovative is it? Then, go through the firm’s official website and read about their core values, what they believe in and what they stand for. Most of the time you won’t find an explicit office tattoos policy, but you’ll grasp their general attitude. Pay particular attention to the company’s presentation in pictures or the employees’ profile shots on official and non-official social media, as well. If you see tattoos in the workplace here and there you can presume that it’s an accepting environment. You can also read about previous employees’ experiences to find out even more useful insights.

Changing Attitudes: Why Tattoos Should Be Allowed in the Workplace

When 46% of the population have at least one tattoo, excluding those with body art from your company means cutting out many talented individuals. Various types of research also show that there is no negative influence associated with tattooed employees in terms of customers’ attitudes or behaviors.

That’s why more and more companies are changing attitudes and easing their approach to tattoos in the workplace. Finally, if politicians like Justin Trudeau or corporate executives such as Lachlan Murdoch can pull off tattoos in powerful roles, why should it be forbidden for other employees?

Find an Environment to Flaunt Your Tattoos in the Workplace with Help From Monster

Don’t let outdated beliefs affect your job search and prevent you from getting what you want. Join Monster to start off on the right foot and create a free candidate profile. Upload your most recent resume and activate the alerts to receive customized job recommendations. Our partner companies and recruiters will also be able to contact you directly if you have the skills they need.

This article is not intended as a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the professional advice of an attorney regarding any legal questions you may have.