Question regarding tattoos at work...

[JohnAndrew]

Wow! Hard to imagine this question is about the professional workplace. I work in the food sector and the restaurants I've worked in allow no visible tattoos.

[anothernewphone]

Originally Posted by anilzat

What type of employment? I've disowned my son, he looks like a having several tattoos, and the only job he could find that overlooked his tattoos was working in a Ace Hardware store.

I really hope you're joking.

[Tri-Tip]

I'm not a fan of them. I have to laugh when I go into a store or restaurant and the clerks/servers are covered in band-aids to cover their tattoos.

[Bisquitlips]

In my never to be humble opinion and the fact that I have worked for Fortune 500 companies for over 15 years now I would say be VERY careful. And that would also depend on how far up the ladder you want to ascend.

Regardless of whether tats are lovely and works of art, you have to be aware that they are still not an art form that the "established" company hierarchy approve.

I recommend that you keep the under "wraps".

[GradyPhilpott]

There is a story about an enlisted Marine whose name escapes me now, who during the Korean war was awarded a battlefield commission.

Upon his return to the States, eventually someone asked him how he ever became an Marine officer with so many tattoos.

His one word response?

"Leadership."

There's a lesson there somewhere.

[ksh977]

In my opinion, tattoos that can't be covered when in a professional environment are a sign of carelessness. It shows that somebody got themselves indelibly marked without thinking of the potential consequences. Not a fan of tattoos, but I do think Mike Tyson's are fitting of him—boxer tough guy.

[anilzat]

Originally Posted by anothernewphone

I really hope you're joking.

I'm not joking, he has been deceased in my eyes for a very, very long time. His name is not mentioned in my presences.

[Shawnnyang]

^^ I hope its for a variety of other reasons aside from the tattoos.

I'm employed at a white shoe international law firm that oozes with prestige and fanciness and I have tattoos. Annual reviews seem pretty good. I'm lucky enough to work with open minded people who care more about my work product than my outward appearance.

[Muzz]

Well, I am tattooed head to toe and I am professionally employed. My base salary is 7 figures a year and at any point my tattoos become a career limiting factor, there will be an extensive lawsuit based on discrimination.

[RACER_X]

Originally Posted by Muzz

Well, I am tattooed head to toe and I am professionally employed. My base salary is 7 figures a year and at any point my tattoos become a career limiting factor, there will be an extensive lawsuit based on discrimination.

And you're in the minority.

What line of work are you in?

I work in O&G engineering, you'll see a few tatts pepping below shirt sleeves, but it's not very common.

You're prob more apt to see old military tatts

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by RACER_X

And you're in the minority.

What line of work are you in?

I work in O&G engineering, you'll see a few tatts pepping below shirt sleeves, but it's not very common.

You're prob more apt to see old military tatts

I am in your exact line of work:)

[RACER_X]

There alot if positions in my line work, care to divulge any more? Lol

W a 7 figure income, do you work for a co. Or do you own the co. ?

I don't think tatto discrimination is a winnable case. But ya never know!

[JohnAndrew]

[QUOTE=Shawnnyang;4826322]^^ I hope its for a variety of other reasons aside from the tattoos.

+1

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by RACER_X

There alot if positions in my line work, care to divulge any more? Lol

W a 7 figure income, do you work for a co. Or do you own the co. ?

I don't think tatto discrimination is a winnable case. But ya never know!

Deep water, O&G exploration, overseas and so on. No I do not own a company, just long term consultant.

I would disagree on the discrimination case. We as a corporation are extremely sensitive on diversity. It clearly does not have any reflection on a person's capability.

I would never show up to the office with a short sleeve shirt out of respect for our office environment and additionally I have a wealth of experience and knowledge that out weigh my personal appearance.

Several Kilt wearers overseas have full body tattoos:) especially deep water guys:)

[RACER_X]

How do you cover up your neck?

Assuming you have neck tatts.

Are you mostly in an office environment, field or boardroom?


As far as I know, only race, age, sex and newly sexual orientation are the only "rights" protected by the govt

[rolio]

I say do what you wish as long as it doesn't prevent you from getting to where you want to go later. I have had students who got covered with tattoos from "face, neck, and forehead to their toes--the large disc earrings came later, but that's when they were working at skate, head, and book shops.
Fast Forward: Now, they want to be professionals, and things are a little challenging for them. I advise them to clean it up as best as possible...pretty much all you can do. I tell my own kids to think carefully about the decisions you make, because in less than a decade what you thought yesterday will be completely different--I guarantee it

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by RACER_X

How do you cover up your neck?

Assuming you have neck tatts.

Are you mostly in an office environment, field or boardroom?

I have a ridiculous amount of scarfs (thank you Hermes and Louis Vuitton)

The position is office based (mid sized O&G Co), mostly ex North Sea professionals, all of us are familiar with each other's careers.

Personally, I highly doubt anyone notices them anymore as we focus on an individual's character and performance rather than appearance.

Perhaps this is a one off situation? However I would strongly discourage someone with no experience doing the same. I have a solid reputation and proven work ethic that makes the tattoos appear insignificant.


:)

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by rolio

I say do what you wish as long as it doesn't prevent you from getting to where you want to go later. I have had students who got covered with tattoos from "face, neck, and forehead to their toes--the large disc earrings came later, but that's when they were working at skate, head, and book shops.
Fast Forward: Now, they want to be professionals, and things are a little challenging for them. I advise them to clean it up as best as possible...pretty much all you can do. I tell my own kids to think carefully about the decisions you make, because in less than a decade what you thought yesterday will be completely different--I guarantee it

Ah, the ear discs. I find those absolutely painful to look at! How can you stop wearing those without undergoing cosmetic surgery?

[Rashid.bk]

I work in Security and though many have tattoos....actually almost all, you will not be able to work any high profile assignment if your tattoos are visible in any way while wearing a long sleeve shirt.

I tell any young person who mentions tattoos to wait, and mature....80% percent of people are a whole different person from age 20 to 30.
And they have no idea what doors they may close based on "self expression", that's important....do you want to express yourself everywhere and every minute thus usually forcing others around you to make a mostly erroneous estimation of who you are, all the while without having opened your mouth once.

I have a tattoo and I like them in general, but I express me not my "art" or clothing or Rolex for that matter. However, those things can provide some insight into who I am but shouldn't define me.

Although I agree that people shouldn't be judgemental, it is as such, and a reality in society. Everything has a connotation, tattoos unfortunately lean towards more negative connotations than positive. Who is to blame, doesn't matter, it is what it is and if you want a job somewhere, anywhere, then that is a consideration. ....unless of course you're a successful tattoo artist, rapper/entertainer, an outlaw biker or work in a circus act.

If you're all sleeved up and making six, seven, twelve figures good for you, that opportunity is likely not opened to everyone and it wasn't your tattoos that got you there. Also, if a person were to lose employment or be denied employment because of tattoos, that isn't exactly black and white a discrimination case.
My .02 cents.

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

I work in Security and though many have tattoos....actually almost all, you will not be able to work any high profile assignment if your tattoos are visible in any way while wearing a long sleeve shirt.

I tell any young person who mentions tattoos to wait, and mature....80% percent of people are a whole different person from age 20 to 30.
And they have no idea what doors they may close based on "self expression", that's important....do you want to express yourself everywhere and every minute thus usually forcing others around you to make a mostly erroneous estimation of who you are, all the while without having opened your mouth once.

I have a tattoo and I like them in general, but I express me not my "art" or clothing or Rolex for that matter. However, those things can provide some insight into who I am but shouldn't define me.

Although I agree that people shouldn't be judgemental, it is as such, and a reality in society. Everything has a connotation, tattoos unfortunately lean towards more negative connotations than positive. Who is to blame, doesn't matter, it is what it is and if you want a job somewhere, anywhere, then that is a consideration. ....unless of course you're a successful tattoo artist, rapper/entertainer, an outlaw biker or work in a circus act.

If you're all sleeved up and making six, seven, twelve figures good for you, that opportunity is likely not opened to everyone and it wasn't your tattoos that got you there. Also, if a person were to lose employment or be denied employment because of tattoos, that isn't exactly black and white a discrimination case.
My .02 cents.

Agreed:)

[GradyPhilpott]

In my day, we rebelled by growing long hair and wearing scruffy jeans.

A trip to the barber shop and a clothing store was all that was needed to reorient one's image.

I certainly don't have a problems with other people's tattoos, but I know one kid who at age 18 got tattoos everywhere--hands, arms, neck, calves--then he decided to pursue a military or law enforcement career.

Now, besides getting his education, he has to get some of those more obvious tattoos removed, which as I understand it, is not cheap or painless--kind of like getting them, I guess.