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Tattoos in the workplace: Still taboo?
These days, does having a tattoo make a difference in getting a job and how much you can potentially earn? One career adviser says absolutely yes.
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A recent Pew research study found that 4-in-10 people between the ages of 18 and 29 have at least one tattoo. But will those tattoos mean problems when it comes to employment?
Meredith Haberfeld is an executive career coach who works with clients around the nation looking to work in a variety of industries. And while many more people these days may have tattoos, it is safe to say that image still matters in getting and keeping a job -- perhaps more than ever.
"A study conducted by CareerBuilder.com found that 37 percent of HR managers cite tattoos as the third physical attribute most likely to limit career potential," says Haberfeld. (Obvious, non-ear piercings topped the list, followed by bad breath.)
The key to succeeding is getting a feel for the culture of a workplace. When it comes to the issue of whether ink will affect your livelihood, Haberfeld says it really depends on where you hope to get work.
She cites some sectors where tattoos are acceptable: auto, military, construction, design, film, music, digital media, styling, athletics. Haberfeld says there are many realms where having an individual, artistic expression on your body is common -- even expected.
But there are still many offices where body art isn't so acceptable. If you are looking to work in business, government, education, medicine, law -- Haberfeld says that ink can often send the wrong message to employers and clients: that you are trying to rebel.
"Each employer is going to vary from conservative to liberal when it comes to tolerance for their body art, so a good rule is to keep it covered in your interviews and even during your first few weeks in your job until you get a sense for the culture of the workplace," she says. If you can't cover up with regular professional attire, makeup is an option.
Haberfeld says the cost of an average tattoo -- which depends on size, color, artist -- ranges between $100-300. The cost of removing a tattoo is where expenses can add up. The most common type of tattoo removal is done by laser, which can cost $200-500 per sessions (and it usually takes between 5-10 sessions).
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Tattoos are considered one of the oldest forms of self-decoration.After all permanent make-up is a polite term for tats. Think about it. All those WWII guys who got tats didn't seem to be rebeling. Risky - only to those who live in states where tatoo salons don't have to meet hygiene standards, etc. Some tat salons don't allow requests for tats on the neck, head, and hands as they recognize the cultural stigma against tats.
I work in New York City at one of the world's top architecture firms. I have two small tattoos, and they are both visible. I was hired with the tattoos and I am not treated disrespectfully because of them. I love my job and I love my tattoos. These things are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
I'm not tattooed or pierced, doubt my son will choose to be either, but I surprised that anyone thinks it even matters. I doubt anyone seriously feels as strongly about it as weenie pretends to be in these comments, but it is clearly still a consideration for employers. I can't imagine why. If I'm hiring a lawyer, I want that person to analyze my situation correctly & make strong logical arguments. A surgeon must have steady hands and very detailed medical knowledge. And so on. I can't think of a single occupation where the appearance of the worker matters. Hygiene, yes, but not appearance.
Our clinic in St Louis provides laser tattoo removal. We see people from all walks of life, socio-economic groups, very young and older. Most branches of the military now have restrictions on visible tattooes (above the tshirt neck, below short sleeve and shorts on legs). Many fire/police departments now have restrictions also. As mentioned on the show employers are also requesting tattoes be covered and for many people they then feel it is time to remove it. We see youngster marched in by parents, those that come in a few days after application showing regret, mistakes in the tattoo application or some who just want to remodel their tattooes. Removal is a long process of multiple treatments and can be quite expensive. A lot more costly than tattoo art application. There is no magic erase for these. Removal should be done in a clinical setting with state-of-the-art lasers to maximise removal and reduce risk of complications such as scarring or loss of skin pigment . It would be nice if we could have this discussion with people before that take the plunge.
No pity at all. If stupid kids want to deliberately disfigure themselves, let them rot in a homeless shelter. Above all, let them NOT reproduce. I own a business and I tell the "inked" slobs straight up: "you are the scum of the Earth. " I also tell them that if they don't leave the office withing 20 seconds, then I will call the cops on them. I will have no tattooed disease carriers in MY office near MY customers.
A good friend of mine works as a barista and got told they had to cover the ink on the job, but my friend had the ink when they were hired. It's a shame people in such a (fairly) creative field are asked to hide a part of who they are simply because some bean counter up the totem pole is worried ink will scare the straights. It's the 21st century people, grow up!
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