Tattoo's, Piercings and Employment

MrsTinks

The point I think is that there are MANY of us who don't have a problem dealing with or employing someone with tattoos or other body modifications, BUT... there are probably many more who DO have an issue. To me it is a bad choice to tattoo where it cannot be covered up. I would never expect to see it in a board room for example. Unless you set up and ran your own business and did it that way I think it'll be VERY career limiting.
As for scars or birthmarks - these are rarely optional and so people are less judgemental about them. And so they should be - they were not a life or art choice.
The only tattoos I have seen in corp life come to think of it that have been visible have been a couple of in my view badly done wrist tattoos (ladies) and 2 military unit tattoos. I have no problem with those and I doubt many do. I think they are more socially acceptable to many because they reflect a service provided to queen and country. Just my thoughts obviously...

I'm planning another tattoo as I type BUT I'm putting as much thought into the where as the what

scooby088

Tattoos and body modification has been around for thousands of years in one form or another, I can say even if my GP had a full sleeve of tattoos wouldn't make me respect him less.

I can see the point in public facing roles but even now our police have them people in the fire service and paramedics have them, would anyone complain when one or all of those professions saves their lives or helps them in anyway.

What I do object to is people with narrow minds that tar people with tattoos has being not for public display, I am a member of the general public and shouldn't the workplace reflect society in general.

Daedalus

They are unprofessional, in the same way unkempt hair is unprofessional. For some jobs and employers this won't be an issue, for others it will be. I wouldn't ever get a tattoo or piercings that are showable in a suit. I would make the effort to cover up any that I already had with makeup for an interview.

eamon

I had to google "tramp stamp". Bit of an eye opener but I'd never heard of that reference before.

In the past I've been tempted to get a tat but always changed my mind. Saying that I work with and socialise with many people that have numerous tats and piercings. Doesn't bother me in the slightest and if the anti tat and piercing brigade are that bothered then I begin to wonder how widespread their other prejudices impact on their fellow humans.

Errata

MrsTine wrote: »

I'm planning another tattoo as I type BUT I'm putting as much thought into the where as the what

Where is worth paying attention to in case you should ever be unfortunate to need radiography and the radio girls can't tattoo you for accuracy because there's a socking great one there already.

googler

Faith177 wrote: »

OH does alternative photography as a side line so is surround by burlesques girls covered in tats and they are gorgeous.

For many in my social group, the terms 'tattoo' and 'gorgeous' don't go together .... they are mutually exclusive.

adouglasmhor

Person_one wrote: »

I suppose we'll see in time, although I must admit to being curious about what a 'decent' job is.

Lots of older men who got tattoos when they were in the forces have never had them removed though.

I had one tattoo when I joined up, more when I left. The only thing anyone ever said when they saw my tattoos was "ex-forces?" People at work were surprised to find out how many tattoos I have, but everything is more or less covered by a short sleeved shirt (I did make the mistake once of wearing a pink shirt to work and they all showed through). As for a decent job, junior management position in local government,

cottyh24

I have no problem with piercings and tattoos on anyone and am firmly of the belief that your hair colour/clothes etc have absolutely no relation on your ability to do your job. I have no tattoos but do have multiple ear piercings and have had my hair green and purple this year (not at the same time though!). My previous employer had a relaxed attitude to dress code, hair colour etc however when I was made redundant I dyed my hair a more conventional shade of purple (if there is such a thing). I'm not sure what I can get away with re hair colour with my new employer or I'd have dyed it back already. If it helps at all I was in charge of finance at a not for profit organisation so not a lower level job.

I'd be far more relaxed walking through a group of pierced, tattooed, alternatively dressed people than I would with people dressed in black tracksuit, trainers and north face jackets even if my hair was brown and I was dressed conservatively.

At the end of the day you can remove the piercings if you need to. Obviously the tattoo is more permanent, or at least harder to remove so maybe you could make a compromise and have it in a less prominent place.

Cherry_Bomb

I think it depends entirely on your job.
I'm a nurse working in a very unconventional nurse type role so my pillar box red hair and pretty large lower arm sleeve does not cause a problem. If anything it makes me less of an authoritative type which in the job I'm doing is a good thing. It makes people less aggressive towards me and see me more as one of their mates and we can have a laugh. This is obviously not how you want to come across in all jobs but for me personally it works.

However when I was a student working on the wards some patients hated me. Particularly elderly. They were terrified which was understandable! I highly doubt if I'd have gone for a more traditional nursing job I would have got past the interview stage.

First impressions really are so important in your working life. It's just a fact that tattoos and piercings don't give off a professional image and you will be judged for it. Not much you can do other than cover them up as best you can while you get a foot in the door in any job

Faith177

googler wrote: »

For many in my social group, the terms 'tattoo' and 'gorgeous' don't go together .... they are mutually exclusive.

Then your looking at the wrong girls with the wrong tattoos:rotfl: