If you have a tattoo, you’ll never get a job — at least we’ve been told that for many years.
I was recently talking to my sister, who works in social work, about workplace tattoos. At her work, many people have sleeve and other visible tattoos, piercings and brightly colored hair. These are all things we have been told will never get us a job.
Lately, there has been a trend in the number of people who have visible tattoos. Many would attribute this to older people moving out of the workplace and people becoming more accepting.
But only a few years ago, when I was majoring in exercise science and working at a physical therapy office, I was immediately asked about possible tattoos I have.
We’re always told that first impressions mean everything. But if someone’s tattoos or piercings are offensive or out of control, I don’t see that as a reason to not hire someone.
Just because someone has a tattoo or piercings doesn’t mean they can’t do their job any worse or better than someone who doesn’t. Body art doesn’t signify anything about the type of worker you are.
Unfortunately, many employers still believe otherwise. They may think tattoos will be off putting to some people or they will scare children if the person works with children.
In my sister’s workplace, however, they always work with children and none of them have been affected by my sister’s or her co-workers’ tattoos or piercings.
I have a pretty detailed tattoo I love, but I can’t see it without looking in a mirror because it’s on my shoulder. If the stigma around tattoos and getting a job was so apparent when I got it, I would have gotten it in a more visible place.
If an employer can allow tattoos in an industry like social work, commonly deemed a more “professional” industry than most, I think other employers should be able to follow suit.
Eventually, hopefully anyone will be able to openly display their tattoos without people judging them.
Nicole Hindberg can be reached at [email protected]