Thoughts on tattoos in the workplace? Know military stance but in civilian world see more and more. Would tattoo affect hiring decision?

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 11:39:20 -0400

Response by TSgt Alex Benningfield made Jul 22 at 2016 11:42 AM

TSgt Alex Benningfield — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 11:42:24 -0400

It depends on were it is and of what. Normally if it can be covered by the usual dress code it is not a big deal

Response by SGT David T. made Jul 22 at 2016 11:43 AM

SGT David T. — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 11:43:31 -0400

It wouldn't affect my decision either way. I am more concerned with ability than their ink.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2016 11:54 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 11:54:33 -0400

It's an interesting question that got a lot of discussion a couple years ago when more and more women were getting tattoos... in fact, I remember when we couldn't decide whether to re-write our code of conduct to state that tattoos were not allowed to "show on women". Of course, today that discussion would be inappropriate but back then it actually wasn't. I happen to have a tattoo on my arm that I had kept covered until after that time because of exactly that stigma and that I was an executive setting an example. I think it's much more relaxed today but I can assure you, if you have a lot of tattoos or they're placed in highly visible areas (such as your neck or face)... there will be discussions before you are hired at large Corporations, at least in the US where we answer to fairly stodgy shareholders.

Response by SSG Keith Cashion made Jul 22 at 2016 11:55 AM

SSG Keith Cashion — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 11:55:54 -0400

In a lot of places it depends on the location of the tats, and also some of the tats themselves. Don't get me wrong, I like ink and have a couple as well, but since I work in a customer service industry doing HR, some people don't like to look at tats that much. Just opinion.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2016 12:30 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 12:30:59 -0400

Depends ... Were I running a Tattoo / Piercing shop perhaps.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jul 22 at 2016 12:38 PM

SFC Stephen King — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 12:38:58 -0400

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen http://www.kstatecollegian.com/2015/05/13/opinion-tattoos-and-piercings-are-a-freedom-of-expression/

OPINION: Tattoos and piercings are a freedom of expression

It is an art form that should be more accepted.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jul 22 at 2016 1:15 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 13:15:02 -0400

It really depends on the work environment. Personally, I find tattoos very unprofessional. People can express themselves on a personal level all they want, but personal lives should not interfere with a professional environment.

Yes, I have seen people with some very beautiful and artistic tattoos. Well guess what... tattoo policies weren't written for those people. Tattoo policies weren't written for people like this fool who gets racist tattooed on his forehead.

How many of you would feel comfortable leaving your children at a daycare where this man was employed. regardless of your kids skin color???

The fact of the matter is, as productive members of society, we are representatives of the companies we work for. Some have dress codes, some are a little lax. But tattoo policies are in place to prevent claims of discrimination based on an employee's poor choices.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 22 at 2016 4:01 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 16:01:15 -0400

Depends on where the tattoos are and the nature of them. In a professional environment, I'm totally okay with, if you can cover them up with normal business attire, I don't really care if you have them. So that means, no hands/fingers, neck or face tats. Also facial piercings or those stretched earlobes are no-gos too.

Response by Col Rebecca Lorraine made Jul 22 at 2016 4:45 PM

Col Rebecca Lorraine — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 16:45:26 -0400

Interesting question.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2016 5:47 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 17:47:55 -0400

it should'nt unless it vulgar, racist

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 22 at 2016 5:49 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 17:49:15 -0400

The hospital we use requires employees to have no visible tats. Found out when I asked a nurse why he had a spandex sleeve on one arm with a short sleeve scrub top. Also noticed none of the staff had piercings anywhere but ears. May be just a small town hospital, but I think it may have something to do with hygiene

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jul 22 at 2016 6:14 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 18:14:48 -0400

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Most of us, unless we are business owners and make those decisions, are bound by 'company policy'. A person with tats would be well served to go to an interview with tats covered up until you could get a read-out from the hiring manager, HR, or the owner, and ask what their personnel policies and procedures manual says. If they don't have such a manual, be careful. A lot of employers are loosening up on tats, but most would not appreciate a skull or some extreme prison or biker-type tat, etc.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2016 7:59 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 19:59:28 -0400

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen In a professional work environment, the tattoos should not be visible, and that goes for nose rings, cheek studs, etc.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2016 1:26 AM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 01:26:13 -0400

Although I am probably a little too old to have been affected by the cultural "storm" of tattoos in the main stream, and therefore do not have any tattoos of my own, my observation is that modest tattoos are becoming common place -- even in the most conservative circles. I routinely see "soccer moms" with tastefully done artwork, and I have even seen a few "full sleeve" tattoos, which are actually quite impressive. That said, distasteful body art i.e. profanity or offensive to others ... would, in my opinion, possibly preclude employment in the civilian workplace, especially if the position required working with the public, and the tattoo(s) was not concealable.