Are tattoos still unprofessional in the workplace?
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Yes, tattoos are becoming more common for both men and women, but in professional settings that still aren’t always so accepting of them. Research shows that almost half of Americans with tattoos would conceal them at work because they didn’t want to appear unprofessional or feel judged by their coworkers. That being said, it is becoming more common for businesses to have dress codes that allow visible tattoos as long as they don’t pose a safety risk. Our advice? If you do choose to get a tattoo, follow these tips to avoid your boss feeling like she needs to cover it up at all times.
Know Your Company's Policy
Some companies will have a dress code in place, others won't. Before you get that tattoo of your boss's name or show up for work in your underwear, it's best to do some research and know what your company policy is on tattoos. If you're unsure, you should check with human resources. Depending on what industry you're in (i.e., finance or healthcare), having visible tattoos can limit opportunities and promotion paths. While corporate America may be embracing tattoos more than ever before, they are still frowned upon in many industries such as finance and law enforcement.
Understand Stigma About Tattoos
First and foremost, get educated. Start by reading up on what you're getting inked. There are plenty of myths out there about tattoos: they give you cancer, they're not sanitary, they permanently make your skin discolored, etc. All false—tattooing has become much safer over time and is now a perfectly safe form of expression that thousands of Americans enjoy daily. Second, understand your company's policies around ink and piercings (if applicable). Many organizations do allow tattoos but have limitations on where they can be displayed or how large they can be (remember: a tattoo doesn't have to be of Miley Cyrus' face across your stomach for it to violate dress code). So check before you ink!
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Remove Emotional Significance From Body Art
Not everyone will be okay with you wearing your new tattoo at work, even if it is covered. And that's okay. Think about how your body art makes you feel. When you look in the mirror and see a tattoo, do you feel empowered or sad? It’s likely a little bit of both, but if you want to be perceived as a professional woman, those feelings should be tempered by pride and confidence. If they aren't, consider taking steps to take off some of your tattoos so that they don't have such an emotional impact on you. You can always get new ink later if it's important to your sense of self.
How do tattoos affect your career?
It's no secret that tattoos are a polarizing topic: some people can't wait to get inked and others won't be caught dead with them. The reality is that whether or not you should get a tattoo depends entirely on your career path. If you work in an office, tattoos may not be so welcome, but if you're in a creative field, chances are it'll make no difference either way. So how do you know if getting a tattoo will help or hurt your career? Here are three signs you might need to rethink that tattoo.
Is having tattoos in the workplace taboo?
It's no secret that tattoos are having a moment. Over one-third of American adults have at least one tattoo, and that number is growing fast. What's not as clear is how we should feel about our fellow colleagues getting inked. While 40 percent of people say they're comfortable around someone with visible tattoos, a 2010 CareerBuilder survey found 37 percent said they wouldn't hire someone with tattoos and 15 percent said they would consider hiring them only if their tattoos were covered up.
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What if you have a tattoo for religious reasons?
Make sure you think through how your tattoo fits into your overall career strategy. If there is a chance you will change jobs in the future, do not have a visible tattoo unless it is an important part of your religious beliefs. And if you decide to get a tattoo for religious reasons, make sure that you are in a safe workplace where you are free from any discrimination or harassment from employers or coworkers. If not, think twice about getting that ink. After all, once it's there, it's there for good (or until someone uses some type of laser removal process).
Don't Assume Anything
If you're a professional woman who's dealing with tattoos in an office setting, it's important to remember that your body art may be a shock or surprise to other people. To help mitigate any potential misunderstandings, discuss your tattoo-wearing habits during job interviews and position yourself as someone who makes rational decisions. This can help you avoid assumptions that may crop up down the line (such as thinking you're unprofessional or unfit for a leadership role). If your boss is taking issue with your decision, have an honest discussion about why you got inked and what it means to you. Hopefully, once she realizes it's not a defiant act, she'll lighten up on her stance toward tattoos at work .
Consider Covering Up or Removing the Tattoo
If you want your job, it might be in your best interest to consider covering up or removing your tattoo. The most important thing is that you and your manager are on good terms; if they like you, they might not be so worried about what’s on your arm or leg. At least get them coffee or deliver a package if you see them once in a while. You never know—being friendly can work in your favor when it comes time for promotions and raises. But even if that fails, there’s always negotiating.
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Wear Clothing Suitable for Your Job
In some fields, tattoos are more accepted than in others. If you work in a creative industry like fashion or advertising, you might have more leeway than if you worked in finance or law. Regardless of your job, though, be aware that some companies—particularly large ones—tend to be fairly conservative when it comes to dress code. You never know who might see your tattoos and find them unprofessional. For example, that cute tattoo on your ankle is probably going to show up on Google Images when a future employer searches for your name. It's okay to wear what you want during after-hours networking events, but tread carefully at work; avoid wearing shorts during summer months or cleavage-baring tops while interacting with clients.
What do you wear on casual Fridays?
This isn’t necessarily a question about tattoos, but it is related. In most workplaces, casual Fridays mean that you can trade in your power suit for a comfy pair of jeans or that button-down shirt. But if you have tattoos on your arms, neck or hands, showing them might make you self-conscious in front of your peers—and may even affect how your boss sees you. The first thing you have to figure out: Do your tattoos show when you wear certain outfits? If so, make sure that you don’t wear those outfits on casual Fridays. While many employers are more relaxed about casual dress codes on Fridays, it’s still important to avoid making negative impressions if possible. It never hurts to be over-prepared—prepare two different outfits and choose one based on what others are wearing.
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How should you present yourself professionally when you have tattoos?
If you are an individual who currently has tattoos, it may be difficult for you to decide how professional and business-like you should dress and act. Should you hide your body art under clothes, sleeves or a high necked collar? Or is showing off your tattoos acceptable as long as they are not offensive in any way? This is a very common question among women today. There isn't really a right or wrong answer, because what works for one woman might not work for another. It all depends on who you are and where you work.
First of all, make sure you are aware of your company's policies regarding tattoos. As long as your tattoos do not violate any dress code rules or regulations, there is nothing wrong with letting them be a part of your professional image! However, if you are uneasy about having them visible in a particular setting or circumstance, that is alright too. Your goal should be to work within whatever parameters have been set for you and not cause anyone concern over what they see on your body. This can easily be done by following these simple tips: 1) Decide where you want to show off your ink. 2) Don't feel like you have to cover every inch of skin if it doesn't fit with how you want others perceive you professionally.
Do Not Let One Bad Experience Affect All Other Opportunities
No matter how much you love your job, sooner or later there will come a time when you encounter a difficult coworker. Let that experience be isolated—it doesn't mean that your boss or any of your coworkers are necessarily bad people. When it comes down to it, most people just want to do their job and go home. We all have our moments, but what's important is how we recover from them and move forward.
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