Tattoos Becoming More Accepted At Work

As Dress Codes Become More Lax, So Are Rules About Body Art

(CBS)  There was a day when wearing a tattoo or body piercing drew stares and looks of disdain, but these days body art has broken out of the biker bars and headed into the mainstream. It's even showing up in the workplace.

Tattoos and piercings are just not the career killers they once were. Many companies in all industries have no problem with body art. Employees of all walks of life are sporting body art nowadays from doctors' office receptionists to TV news anchors. Even those who are prepping the workforce of the future: college educators. The Army and Navy have also relaxed their tattoo policy on worries over a lack of recruits.

"It's an intellectual and upscale phenomenon," Ina Saltz, who photographed hundreds of tattoos for her book, "Body Type," told CBS News correspondent Susan McGinnis. "People are choosing to get tattooed who are professionals. Every kind of profession you can imagine has a tattoo."

New research finds 23 percent of college students have one to three tattoos, 51 percent are pierced beyond women's ears and 36 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds have tattoos. Tattoo artists say they see all types of customers.

"We go from artists and younger people all the way to doctors, lawyers, architects. So it's pretty cool," said Claire Vuillemot, a tattoo artist at Fun City Tattoo.

Courtney Pecola, a native of New Hampshire, is clearly proud of her roots. She has a tattoo of New Hampshire's lilacs across her chest and her area code, 603, on her wrist. She never thought twice about it and neither did her boss. When she interviewed at ZB Sports in Philadelphia, her boss didn't either. He hired her to be a vice president.

"He's fine with it. I mean, it's never been a problem," she said. "He's always stood by me, even if I get a really stupid tattoo."

"Courtney is one of the brightest women I've ever met. She's fast, she's smart," Pecola's boss, Jim Hoisington, said. "If I passed on her because of her tattoos, I'd be out one phenomenal employee."

That kind of thinking has led to a very colorful workforce at ZB Sports.

"It really wasn't an issue," ZP Sports employee Eric Andrewson said. "He didn't act like it was strange and I didn't act like it was strange."

This small Internet retailer is part of a bigger trend in the American workforce. Dress codes are easing up, and body art is coming out of hiding. Some managers say they have no choice.

"It has to change, otherwise they're going to be out of a workforce," Hoisington said.

But not everyone agrees body art works at work, especially in corporate environments. Still, Hoisington welcomes the trend. He thinks body art is a sign of a special employee.

"Because you don't like it or it offends you or you're conservative in the workplace, I think you'll miss a whole talent pool of people who are very bright well educated, smart and free thinking," he said. "It's a shame. You never want to do that. You have to evolve."

[imarltool2u]

If 36% of possible employees have tattoos then 64% don't. I'd never hire a person with a tattoo or sh t body piercings. If an employee gets a tattoo after being hired then that person would be fired for violating the employment contract. They would be immediately walked out the door by security. There are better qualified normal people available to hire. WHy take the risk with wierdos and freaks.

[olebd]

Agreed. I think tattoos make people look like instant dirty greaseballs. Especially women. Reference Angelina Jolie. Such beautiful shapes to her body yet she's all blotched up with tattoos. I see moms at the park with those hideous belt line tattoos above their butt that are hideous.

[legendary240]

I agree, why do people want to look like a demon or a gargoyle? It's disgusting - how can you tell if you're clean if you're all painted up with oozing holes in your face? But the positive side is that it helps you immediately know who to avoid. This is the worst...the tattoo up the neck, is that sick or what? A woman with a tattoo just may as well never get out the bed and hang a neon sign on the front door.

[ericgbeck]

I'm "glad" to see that the 19th century showed up to comment today. I would "love" to attend your daughter's wedding when you discover the secret she's been hiding on her shoulder or ankle. If I were you, I'd start looking into disownment procedures now to save the rush later.

Full disclosure: I am tattooed, head-to-toe, 85% coverage. I have a professional job (in education,) a wife, house, dog, car, etc. I'm living the American dream. I don't consider myself a weirdo or freak, and neither do the wierdos and freaks. I vote, I pay taxes and I enjoy doing both.

[butterfly277]

I too have tattoos. But I think that tattoos should be covered when at work. Unless you work as a tattooist. For some religions it is offensive. I know some people who don't go to certain stores or restaurants because the workers have there tattoos uncovered. Some women who have tattoos on their breast shoe them off freely. I think it is disgusting that they would do this in front of young kids and not care that they maybe scar them for life. COVER UP YOUR TATTOOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[starbright84]

I am a female who has a tattoo. I also wanted to get a tattoo and almost two years ago I did. It is an expression of ones individuality. I did not want to hide my tattoo from society. I knew I would be judged but it something I wanted. I have friends who have tattoos and work in professional environments. Even though they have tattoos it does not effect the kind of work they do. We live in a society that is changing day to day. Tattoos were never accepted in the workplace and still in someplaces they are not. I find it hard to hide mine at work when it comes to the summer months. I either have to wear long pants or crop pants that only come a little above the ankle. I do not want to go around having to worry about what I am going to wear to hide my tattoo. It is not something I want to hide and I think workplaces should accept you for who you are and not what is on your own personal body.

[williamfold]

I have always considered myself an open minded person. I was educated in fine art and currently work in education. But I must say, I just don't get the tatoo thing. But hey, whatever floats your boat, right? But I have to say, if I were wheeled into the O.R. and my doctor had tatoos on his neck and arms, I'd probably ask to wait for somebody a little more "regular" looking. That's just me though.

[jdlivinfast]

Well, I'd have to say that some of your comments offended me, if it wasn't so apparent how small minded some of you really are. Society is changing and evolving just as it always does. I'm sure some of you took part in some activities that the generation before you thought hideous. I'm pretty sure I speak for the majority of us who par-take in self expression via tattoos and piercings when I say that feeble minded comments and actions from people like you save us the time in realizing that your not someone worth our while. I'd say 90% of people with tattoos & piercings get them because they represent something meaningful to that individual. If you wanted to take a chance and step out of your box then you might find that those you shun are not scary, prostitutes, criminals, dirty, or unemployable; Rather the mass majority are educated, articulate, compassionate, and respectable. I am a well educated female. And a young professional in the real estate business. I have tattoos that are sometimes visible and piercing (including 3 facial). I have been in this line of work for 4 years. I am not judged by my appearance but rather the quality of my work. And I am recognized as a valuable resource amongst my co-workers and those we do business with. Contrary to what you may think, a little bit of ink and a few pieces of metal do not impede me in being a responsible productive employee.

[missyx21]

I grew up thinking that I wouldn't get a job if I got a tattoo, so I never got one, and don't really want one anymore. There are plenty of people at the place I work(insurance) that have them. They're great people. They cover it up as best as they can at work. I also have a lawyer friend who is covered with tattoos, but when he's in a suit and tie you wouldn't be able to tell. I think as long as they're professional about it at work than I don't mind. :D

[imarltool2u]

It would impede you at my place of employment because you'd never be hired in the first place.

[olebd]

Tattoos give employers yet another reason to outsource or hire illegals.

Please give me the money you waste on these things and I'll make us both rich.

[killer139]

Hi,
I am black, does that mean that I rob liquer stores and rape white women too, oh and go around knocking up women and selling crack?. If I was American Indian I guess I would be a drunk and burn wagons. Wait a minute I am white I must just hate everyone and live in a trailor. Get some culture people, stop judging what other people do with there bodies.

[mleigh22]

fartknocker2,

Can i be the one who doesn't know how to spell?
It's not wheres, it's wears. Some idiot.

[jdlivinfast]

imarltool2u,

your breaking my heart...oh wait, i'm over it. i couldn't work w/ you anyway. i would find it too distracting seeing someone with their head so firmly rooted in their own rear-end. did you learn that move in yoga class?

[dekooning2]

All that ornament and petty individualism junk is hysterical and ordinary in the end. You aren't what you look like ,you are what you do. How can anyone feel that invisible? You should not have a tattoo unless you are on death row or are a legionnaire.

[julis_tink]

I believe that people are people and that tatoos are a way of a person to express that individual. However I feel that it should be covered up in the work place. I have a daughter and if she came home telling me about a tatto on a women's breast I would have a talk with the manager of that company.

[santo_marco]

I am 29. I have a Masters in Education (Summa *** Laude) and a Bachelors in Health Sciences (Magna *** Laude). I am active duty military with career successes ten years ahead of my peers. I have a beautiful and highly successful executive as a wife and live a very comfortable lifestyle...oh and by the way, I did all this with full sleeves on both arms since age 19. Stereotyping those with tattoos is a thing of the past.

[oleander8]

I love seeing the tattoos and if that's what people want - go for it. But I hope tattoos today are different from traditional tattoos..have you every seen the tattoos on elderly people? The colors bleed, they sag, they wrinkle....not a good look.

[imarltool2u]

a person can attain any measure of success but if they had tattoos they wouldn't work for or with me and they wouldn't conduct any business with me. You may say fine and that you don't care to do business with me or work for me. What's more, even if you removed the tattoo, the fact that you had a tattoo in the first place and the resulting scar would prevent you from doing business with me. Here's a free economic 101 lesson for you: A lost sale can never be recovered.

[cntrygrllst]

I am a professional woman I have a few tatoos as well as a couple of extra holes in my body that weren't placed there by nature but looking around my office I am at a point of stress to find a woman and even a few men who are not sporting at least one extra in their earlobs; Does this make them weirdos and freaks? My Grandmother would be alittle upset to know she fits that catagory...
as far as the whole "Your body is a temple" thing well I have seen very few churches that do not have stained glass windows.

[jdlivinfast]

imarltool2u,
here's a free grammar lesson for you: proof read. your first sentence is redundant.

[oleander8]

FARTKNOCKER2:

I'll bet you still have a crew-cut.

[lenwood69]

Trying to 'express' yourself via a tattoo is pathetic. What happens in 20-30 years when you've evolved both emotionally, physically, intellectually? There is nothing more ridiculous than some old person with was once considered a '***' tattoo. Life is a long journey peeps.
I am 100% tattoo free and 100% original. I do not follow trends and don't need other people to give me sense of interest, worth or importance. It's a fad that thousands of people will regret if they do not already. When I see a tattoo I think.....lemming.

[bigwhtpony]

There's a lady (about 33) who often sits in front of me in church. When she wears jeans and high hanging blouse, she shows off this huge "tramp stamp" way down on her lower back.

At that point, I find it difficult to concentrate on the rest of the service.

What kind of woman has something like that done? Please, please....someone tell me she was a biker tramp and is just waiting for me to make the first move! :)

[mitch0927]

bigwhtpony,
Don't even talk to her, if you are already judging her for some tattoo, then you aren't worthy of her attention. Good grief people, all of you trying to sound so high and mighty about body art. I won't even go into what kind of people you are, because it would put me DOWN to the same levels you are.

[godseyesore-2009]

Tatoos have a long historical plume. It is only modern myopic society with scrubbed mores that fail to appreciate tatoos...and lots of other things worthwhile.

[olebd]

bwhtpony - nice post. I too have considered certain tattoos on women as an advertisement to give them a test drive. I never tried to test my theory.

There for a while, I would see women with those ugly ankle tattoos and think they were injured.

I love the female form but with tattoos, it's as if they ruined a fine car with grafitti.

[needled_blog]

I can sit here and individually refute the petty commentary all day, but it seems the tattooed folk did a great job already. Notice how much more articulate the "freaks" were?

I am writing with two new observations:
First, for those church-going Christians who judge those with so-called "tramp stamps", please go back to your Bibles to the part that says, "Judge not, that ye be not judged."

And for close-minded heathens alike, there's a great tattoo cliche:
The difference between non-tattooed people and tattooed people is that the tattooed people don't care if you're not tattooed.

One last note: I'm an attorney, who also holds a Masters from an Ivy League university. I consult for some of the biggest international law firms, although you would never know it. Appearance is important, but what lies underneath the suit should not take precedence over excellence in one's profession.

That is an economic lesson for you.

Those who deem otherwise will always stay in lower management making bad decisions based on prejudice and ego obstacles. I would never hire them.

For a look at tattooed professionals and tattoos as *art*, go to Needled.com.

[jdlivinfast]

needled...thank you!

[tgwilliams14]

To Bigwhtpony

What are you doing in church looking at this woman and thinking you would like to do her??? Talk about judging. I don't judge you for not having any and not desiring to.

I am very successful, educated and have several tattoos. Yes, most of them are covered while I am in the office. Certain ones do show depending on the clothing I am wearing. Actually, they have been great ice breakers and great conversation pieces.

To Needled...thank you!

To the ones that never want to associate with a person with a tattoo...please be sure and ask everyone you come in contact with. You may find that you will be waiting on just the right person to help you for a very long time. I do hope that you yourselfs never have to be judged so harshly.

[mgpm-2009]

I don't really judge the person...but personally tattoos aren't my taste. I think most of them are ugly. I can't think of any image that I'd want on myself 24/7. One tattoo isn't so bad, but then when someone has full sleeves of them it looks so horrible. To each his own, but I can't help but wonder if people who have tattoos like this really want attention, no matter what kind.

My brother thinks that a good investment right now would be in a tattoo off machine or medical technology. I think he's probably right. In a few years, I think people will have some second thoughts.

[opforsapper]

To bigwhtpony,

Let me get this straight, you are in church and looking at a womans backside all the way to her lower back, in church right, no wonder you couldn't concentrate on the sermon your mind was in the womans pants!
To be a tattooist you have to have a special talent just like an artist and to appreciate that art you must first understand the art form. Since you are so shallow minded and have to wait for the woman to make the first move, you may want to expand your horizons (above the waist line) and actually do some reasearch on body art, you may actually be surprised at what you find.

[mitch0927]

Needled_blog,

You just put yourself on a pedestal by your comments of your Masters from an Ivy league university. Masters in what? Law? That's to me is saying you had your paralegal write this for you and check your spelling. What do you have when you have 20,000 lawyers at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean? Answer: A good start.

I also have a Masters Degree in Quantum Mathematics, and a PhD in Applied Mathematics and a Bachelors degree in Electronic Engineering, BIG DEAL.......your education doesn't say what kind of person you have, it just says you are able to pass tests and make the grade to achieve your degrees.

[grimmsgirl]

It took me a moment to compose myself after reading some of these comments and not giving the reaction so many of you would love to get from "someone like me". I think I am ready now. Whew! I am a 33 year old, college educated (Bachelors degree with honors) professional woman who works for a leading insurance corporation. I work 40 hours a week, pay taxes, own a car, pay a mortgage, am a registered republican, practicing Catholic, and am married to loving, caring talented man. We are living the American dream, right? Oh yeah, I forgot to mention he is a tattoo artist. He is totally sleeved. He has tattoos on his neck and hands and gagged ears too. As for me I only have 17 at the moment but am on my way to half sleeves. For the most part mine stay covered in work, not out of embarrassment, but because most work clothes cover them any way. If I choose to have a less "professional" job they would be shown constantly. (continued)

[grimmsgirl]

What bothered me most after reading the comments wasn't the fact that so many of you dislike tattoos, it was the fact that you actually hold a job with such a small, little brain. You are judgmental while sitting in a church pew and "cast stones" at all you could reach. How sad. I really don't care if you have tattoos or not, many of my friends and family don't. However, what they do have is an open mind and heart. After reading most of these posts it made me even more thankful for my life and those I come in contact with everyday. Whoever would have thought growing up in a small town in Connecticut would have taught me so much more than most of you

[needled_blog]

mitch0927:

Posting my background addressed the very first comment and similar posts to this thread, that is, that tattooed people are not employable. Surely, a math scholar should be able to follow that logic. Indeed, as you demonstrate, education is not a measure of intellect.

[needled_blog]

...but just in case you still cannot follow, mitch0927:

i am very heavily tattooed underneath the suit.

needled.com

[yo_marc]

Wow, some of these comments! I'm saddened at how quick some are to judge.

I would like to hear what kind of jobs or opportunities some of us with tattoos or piercings might be missing out on. I would also like to hear more of the backgrounds of those who aren't as favorable towards them.

My grandfather had tattoos on his forearms and calf from his Navy days - I always loved them. You may say they aged. I say they had character. That's what made them so cool to me.

It's probably true that some people may not make good calls when getting a tattoo - but seriously - that doesn't mean everyone is going to regret them.

I don't believe any of us have any right drawing conclusions about a person for their choice in where they get a tattoo. If someone wants a conclusion or answers, they should kindly ask.

For what it's worth, I'm a 30-ish born-again christian working in the computer industry. Few tats, few piercings... No problems?!

[duga12x]

I'm amazed at what people are saying here! I have noticed that everyone that tries to act "normal" have more issues than the people that express themselves. What are you people hiding from the world? It never fails to surprise me, the hateful biggoted things people say, while they think they are good people. Its more disturbing to me than a nose ring.

[inkedinc]

I think most people would be very suprised to learn that many professionals have tattoos. Visit www.inkedinc.com to see a sample.

[shopfortat]

Lots of girls who have tattoos in places just a little beyond where workplace clothes are. For some of us, its a private thing. For others, its not. Either way, I dont think it says anything about the kind of job I do at work. If you think it does, why would I want to work for you?

Skye
http://www.shopfortattoos.com

[shopfortat]

Lots of girls who have tattoos in places just a little beyond where workplace clothes are. For some of us, its a private thing. For others, its not. Either way, I dont think it says anything about the kind of job I do at work. If you think it does, why would I want to work for you?

Skye
http://www.shopfortattoos.com

[shopfortat]

Lots of girls who have tattoos in places just a little beyond where workplace clothes are. For some of us, its a private thing. For others, its not. Either way, I dont think it says anything about the kind of job I do at work. If you think it does, why would I want to work for you?

Skye
www.shopfortattoos.com

[shopfortat]

Lots of girls who have tattoos in places just a little beyond where workplace clothes are. For some of us, its a private thing. For others, its not. Either way, I dont think it says anything about the kind of job I do at work. If you think it does, why would I want to work for you?

Skye
shopfortattoos.com

[shopfortat]

Lots of girls have tattoos in places just a little beyond where workplace clothes are. For some of us, its a private thing. For others, its not. Either way, I don't think it says anything about the kind of job I do at work. If you think it does, why would I want to work for you?

Skye
shopfortattoos.com

[shopfortat]

Sorry for the dupes. My comment wasnt appearing, so I tried again. Having a blonde day I guess:)

Skye

[grimmsgirl]

You are so right Skye. A tattoo says nothing about the type of work a person does. I actually do have several tattoos that are beyond my work clothes and my boss and co-workers have all come to except them because of the type of person I am as well as the good work I do.
I failed to mention in my first post that my tattoo artist husband has a bachelors degree in fine arts as well as being a successful business owner. He, along with his family, started one of the first homeless shelters in his town and always tries to give back to the community in thanks for all the good that has come his way. We lead such a "normal" life it may surprise people. Step out of your box and stop judging us by the COLORS OF OUR SKIN. I would really like to know what states these "anti-tattoo" people are from and exactly what "management" jobs they hold.

[thrustinj]

Tattoos signify the past.
They have presence.
They speak volumes about their wearers. Good and bad.
They are sentimental. Personal keepsakes.
They are spur of the moment.
They are memorials. Life-long.
They are art. Beautiful and abstract.
They are culture.
They are deeper than written words.
They are truer than photos.
They are tears and sweat and pain.
They commemorate friendships.

[thrustinj]

Tattoos signify the past.
They have presence.
They speak volumes about their wearers. Good and bad.
They are sentimental. Personal keepsakes.
They are spur of the moment.
They are memorials. Life-long.
They are art. Beautiful and abstract.
They are culture.
They are deeper than written words.
They are truer than photos.
They are tears and sweat and pain.
They commemorate friendships.

[carpediem25]

I have a few comments I would like to add to this discussion. For one I am heavily tattoed and I proudly serve my nation as a soldier. I fight for the freedoms that most Americans enjoy. When I leave the Army one day will I be rewarded for my service by ignorant people that will judge me based on the colors on my skin. I don't have a college degree, but I am working on one. I hope that after defending the freedoms of the U.S. that one day I will be able to enjoy them. Tattoos do not make a person, neither does color, creed or race. These same people that judge based on a tattoo need to take a deeper look at theirselves. We are not freaks, body modification comes in different forms. Make up is a modification even though it isn't pernament. Working out with weights at the gym is a body mod like it or not. Are these athletes looked at as freaks because their bigger than other people? I believe most people that sit back and judge others are insecure with theirselves, and I hope the best for them. Maybe one day tattooed people will be looked at as normal and virgin skin will be freakish. Till then I wear my skin and ink proudly....by the way I love the Needled blog and I read it on a daily basis, keep up the good work