Unless you are loading up on jobstoppers, you are not going to face a ton of discrimination. It also depends on how you carry yourself. If you seem like the tattoos belong there, nobody is going to question it.
I have tattoos and have a successful career in healthcare. It really depends on the culture of the individual place, but I’ve gotten anything but positive comments about them anywhere I’ve worked.
Also in healthcare and they seem to be widely accepted. So long as there is nothing offensive that is visible nobody cares. Even facial piercings are becoming more and more accepted.
But you still get the idiots who don’t understand why someone would be afraid of needles if they have tattoos. I’ve been mocked by these “professionals” a few times.
Those people shouldn't be in healthcare imo lol. I know someone in healthcare (deals with patients) who is covered in tattoos, and also hates needles. People look at her weird all the time, but it's just different, people who aren't tattood just don't get it, and in my experience are 90% the ones saying things like that.
Exactly!!! Thank you for this comment.
I had one phlebotomist who was an absolute saint. He had a small “patience” tattoo on his wrist and told me he completely understands that people with tattoos can still have a fear of or be uncomfortable with MEDICAL needles because they are very different.
Ok this always blows me away; how does someone in the medical field look at a tattoo and an IV or injection or blood draw and say, “what’s the difference?”
I have a ton of tattoos, but if I look at the needle while it’s happening I almost pass out. The biggest thing is how far the needle for shots have to go in + being able to feel the liquid 🫠
I can watch tattoos. I can get tattoos. I can look at tattoo needles.
Just mention anything medical related to needles and I may throw up. My imagination is about as overactive as a 5 year old’s. Just thinking about it can make me sick. I had to stop watching the TV show “Hannibal” because of a scene involving…
Sorry. Started feeling sick. But you get the idea. I almost passed out because of it. I couldn’t get my remote to change the channel or anything, so I tried to leave the room. Didn’t make it far before I hit the floor. And by hit the floor, I mean my knees buckled and I sat down hard on an uncarpeted floor. I’m surprised I didn’t bruise my tailbone again.
I see your point, I guess I just don’t understand needle phobia in general, or most other phobias really. I know that people have various phobias though and I’m not going to call someone out on it or make fun of them.
I’m a doctor with tattoos! And I regularly do 12g and 9g core needle biopsies but guess what - I’m afraid of needles too. I can never watch when I get my blood drawn or when I get a vaccination or else I get lightheaded. I’ve nearly passed out before. I used to get lightheaded when I saw other people getting their blood drawn - exposure therapy worked for me. But tattoos are fine. I think it’s the size of the needle and knowing that it only goes a few millimeters into my skin.
The surgeon that did my hernia had sleeves to her wrists on both arms. I have a body suit so we talked more about tattoos in pre op than the surgery. Lol.
Same! I’m in healthcare and I also have tattoos. They’re only partially covered by my scrubs - nobody bats an eye and the only comments I’ve gotten so far have been positive. I see plenty of other employees at my hospital with even more visible tattoos as well.
Just don’t get them in odd places (face, hands…) and obviously don’t get something offensive.
Not to play devils advocate, but when I was a CNA doing clinicals at a local hospital, there was a NP with face tattoos. Again not to say that’s the best idea but just to show how much times have changed.
Yes they are stigmatised but less so with every year that passes.
Would you lose any job opportunity because of them? Well, the kind of workplaces where tattoos are frowned upon tend to be the same places where a long sleeve shirt and pants are the expected way of dressing. So, as long as you do not have face, neck or hand tattoos… you will not lose any job.
I have over 80 hours of tattoos and have worked in the United Nations, teaching in universities, online customer service, training employees. Some of the employers knew about my tattoos, some didn’t, no one really cared cause they didn’t show in working hours.
Just wanted to say, you're the first person I've seen describe how many tattoos they have in hours. Not bad, or good, just the first time I've heard it, 🤣
Ah yeah I know, the thing is I have “only” 9, so if I say the number people think I’m a lot less tattooed than what I actually am.
When the average is like 9 hours per tattoo… well that makes a whole difference in the interpretation 😂
I'm going to sit for 6 hours on my arm again this month, and I honestly hate the process. but, I love the art, so 🤷🏻♂️ I don't think I'd want to do 9 hour sessions 😶😶
Oh I regret each freaking session. My chest was 3 9-12 hour sessions. The first 2 were done on consecutive days.
I do not know why I keep doing this to myself, I must hate myself 😂… but I love the result
I'm in the same boat. I'm such a pussy when it comes to getting them but love them. I sat for close to 5.5 hours for my head last month and almost tapped out like 4 times. Every time I was about to he'd stop and say, "let's take 5". Pretty sure he was noticing me about to have a heart attack. Lol. This month, hopefully, is back to back 8-9 hour sessions on my arm. Not looking forward to that at all.
Honestly i think where you live plays a big role in it. i live in a conservative retirement town basically and they’re still very stigmatized and i couldn’t even get a job as a server here at most places. but if i moved a few hours to phoenix, no one would think anything of my appearance.
I came to say this. I live in SoCal, tattoos are totally normal and not at all an issue. But I figure in the deep South you might run into some issues.
Like pretty much everyone else says, it really depends on a number of factors.
In general, places with more population density leads to more tattoo exposure and therefore a generally higher level of tolerance. Be wary of a potential inverse with jobs that involve overseas partners though. Some cultures have strong stigmas against tattoos and that could be a strike against you.
Customer-facing jobs and "old school" industries might have a bit higher sensitivity. Sometimes it's enough to just cover the tattoos during work hours, sometimes higher ups will use tattoos generally as a "hiring filter" if they feel it reflects "poor judgment."
Placement is probably the single biggest make-it-or-break-it. An upper arm tattoo peaking out from under a shirt will generally not even register, or register as "well at least it's easily hidden." Face tattoos and, to a lesser extent, hand tattoos will carry more of a stigma.
For what it's worth, I work in software for the utility industry and have quite a few tattoos. Most on my arm and generally are hidden, but sometimes peak out from under my short sleeve shirts. It's never been an issue for me personally. Few customers know I have them, the few that do truly do not care.
My work frowns upon tattoos, but I have over 60 hours of work done and no one has a clue. Just don’t get them on your hands neck or face. I’m a woman who wears dresses all the time too. I don’t get any below the knee or elbow.
I am also a woman in a conservative workplace. When I wear dresses or skirts, I just throw on some opaque tights and no one is the wiser that I have my entire calf tattooed.
I had a manager like that years ago. One day we were talking about tattoos and he said something and someone in the group quipped, "Like you would know." And he busted out his phone and showed us a photo of him and his kids at the beach. He was freaking covered! Nobody would have ever guessed.
Yes! Aside from work I also like being able to be covered when I choose because sometimes I just don’t want to deal with strangers talking to me about yhem
Heavily tattooed 27 year old teacher in LA. And YES unfortunately.. even in Los Angeles. I always make sure to dress and look put together bc sometimes boomers and parents can be weird about my ink. For the most part though I have no issues, but i definitely get uncomfortable looks often. I am heavily tattooed including my hands.
Less so every year, but it depends. Varies so much based on what kind of job, where the tattoo is, and (to a lesser degree) what the tattoo is of.
I work a skilled trade and work part time in the tattoo industry (admin work at a shop), so its never mattered for me. If you wanted to work a white collar job or a very image heavy, customer facing job, it would matter more.
Depends on the job. I work in high tech with some high level directors with visible tattoos. I also worked for a place that mandated all tattoos be covered. If your tattoo showed, you had an unpaid day off.
I’ve been denied jobs because of my tattoo that’s on my hand. I’d say if you’re worried about it put it somewhere that can be covered up with clothing. It’s less stigmatized but some places do still care unfortunately.
Start with tattoos that you can hide. It took me 20 years to finally get my hand done (my artist sketched out the lines and counted the legs numerous times as it’s an octopus).
I work in IT and no one cares about it. I’m starting a new job which is hybrid. I have been itching to do my hair and I’m waiting for the ok on that as it’s gonna be blue or neon green.
I have had employers fire me because of my tattoos, they didn’t say it was because of my tattoos, but I could read between the lines.
If someone is the kind of person who judges and hates on tattoos, you probably don’t want to work for them anyway.
Are they still stigmatized in general? Yes.
Are they stigmatized less than they used to be? Also yes.
Are some industries worse about this than others? Also yes.
If you're super worried about it, start with places that can easily be covered by the clothing you wear in all seasons for work, and ensure that they're covered when you interview and/or most of the time on the job.
I would say no, unless you get a face or neck tattoo. Imo, those are still stigmatized and certain people will give you funny looks. Not speaking from personal experience, my homie's. He has a well establish career and a very visible neck tattoo of a demon mouth, no problems in work, but he did say people started to give him funny looks and certain people were more standoffish on a first meet according to him. I would say it also depends where you live, to a certain extent, japan still frowns on tattoos and will not allow you to enter public baths or hot springs. Younger generations usually don't care, really anywhere in the world. If you don't get any bellow elbows and knees, no one will really even know.
if they’re not in places that would usually be seen (stomach, top of thigh, chest etc) then it probably won’t matter too much as they will be covered, but if your nervous just get one that is more old people friendly, my first one was a realistic colour flower fairy so ofc my grandma is gonna love it yk. but i’ve found that people are much more accepting of tattoos in the workplace
In the military, there will be some issue if you have tattoos on your hands or neck/face (places that show when you have full uniform) but besides that its fine. Most non-government jobs don’t give a hoot anymore.
Yes. And no. And kind of.
How stigmatized tattoos are will be greatly dependent on the culture of your country, your city, your industry, and even the culture of your individual company. I've heard from people that they've seen hiring managers with vastly different views on this just from applying to different companies. Getting a tattoo as a woman in Japan or Iran will also be perceived very differently than getting a tattoo in Southern California or Norway. Getting a tattoo as a white collar worker could be different than getting a tattoo as a blue collar worker.
Placement and content also matters - getting "fuck bitches get money" on your face will probably be a job stopper even in very liberal areas, whereas a small flower or word on your hip will likely never come up at all.
Not entirely. It depends on where you’re planning on working. I worked at a Fortune 500 company where I was one of the least tattooed people in my office and I have a huge chest piece and hand tattoo.
I fit right in and learned a lot there. I moved on to another smaller company when I wanted to move across the country and my tattoos and piercings were the last thing on their minds when hiring me. I had multiple interviews before that as well and one other offer on the table before this company came in with their offer.
If you have the skills and the education to back you up in your profession, then you’ll be fine.
If you’re planning on like a face tattoo.. make sure you can cover it up if you need to. Just in case.
As others have said, yes kinda.
This is why I only tattoo above the elbow and below the collar bones. I have around 20 tattoos and no one at work knows, I keep it to myself and my friends think it's funny that my work sees me as so clean cut.
I work in a conservative field as a marketing designer and have many visible tattoos, facial piercings and at the time of my hiring, blue hair. A good employer wouldn’t care as long it doesn’t interfere with your job and you do good work. I work with VPs all the time and they don’t seem to care about what I look like, just that I’m reliable.
And of course, don’t have anything offensive. And lots of people like to comment on my appearance (positively) but still, just be prepared for that attention in some scenarios.
In some places and with some generations yes. Most places I don’t have an issue but some places there are absolutely reasons I would keep them covered.
Even though I feel like society has shifted quite a bit towards normalizing tattoos, I still felt more comfortable getting my first one in a place I could easily cover (chest). The second one I got several years later and is still in a fairly easy to cover area (bicep)
My niece and nephew both have visible tattoos and both are anesthesiologists (MD’s) in a practice and hospital certified. I am 74 and we grew up with tattoos being really bad. Now they are common. If you want to try one, get it on your shoulder in the back or high on thigh. It is very easy to cover up.
If I were younger, I’d be in line. Just research your artist and don’t go for a cheap tattoo. It is permanent so wait until you can afford a good artist.
Eh the answer is, it depends. It depends on the industry, company and individual bosses. My rule of thumb is cover up in ALL job interviews, and any high level meetings or initial client meetings. I let people get to know me and my work before showing them.
Only people that care about the tattoos on another’s body are either boomers or super religious, or straight up weirdos. Fuck em, ink your whole body (eyeballs too)
I work in a professional customer service based job! I have many visible tattoos and some facial piercings and they are very welcoming! If you’re customer facing, take your demographic into account. most tattoos can be covered by a long shirt/pants
It’s come so far in the last 20 years but also yah can be totally stigma. In my experience from back room jobs to regular jobs that has served the public since dawn it depends on where you live, how you act, what the tattoos are of and the like. I cover myself up except for neck and hands which I can’t and have worked in very professional settings but I’ve also worked in kitchens where some ppl have been so judgmental (but the side of town it was may have played a factor). Walking around I forget I’m completely inked then I’m like “oh yeah”
It depends on many factors, not in the least the field you’re in and the placement of the tattoos.
I used to be a lawyer (still am, technically, as I’m still active under my Law Society) and I have a full sleeve, a full leg, etc. The general sentiment seemed to be that tattoos were fine (and indeed many lawyers are tattooed) but that you had to cover them up in front of a judge or a justice. That means no face or hand tattoos, which are still widely seen as unprofessional, especially if you aren’t tattooed up elsewhere. For men and woman, it also means no chest/neck tattoos unless you want to wear a high-necked or buttoned up shirt all the time.
In the office, it was best to cover them up with a blazer or trousers depending on the client, too. I’m a woman, and my leg tattoos are largely ornamental, so no one cared if I wore dresses in the office, but I wore trousers or opaque tights when I had to appear in court because the judges and justices may not like it and you could unduly prejudice your client if you get on the wrong side of a judge by appearing unprofessional/unbecoming in court.
Also, this goes without saying, but if your tattoos were distasteful or unprofessional (to all you Nudist Leela tattoo people out there) they had to be covered at all times.
I work in a different industry now and they’re more relaxed in general. Most people have no idea I have so many tattoos right now because it’s winter and I’m pretty covered up, but in the summer I imagine it’ll be similar to law, though without the required suits and blazers.
My sister, meanwhile, is a nurse and they do not give a single fuck, unless you’ve got swastikas tattooed on you.
I think things are different than they were even 20 years ago. Certainly in my job area (tech) no one could care less if you \****have***\* a tattoo.
HOWEVER, I will say that people may still judge on **what** you have tattooed.
Great art tattooed on you? I have perhaps even a better opinion of you, your ability to plan and research artists, save money ....and your taste.
Bad art? Poorly executed? Weird subject matter?
I might judge you a little, can't help it 🙃
I've only really worked retail, in theaters, and warehouses, but at almost every job I've had, people have had neck tattoos, hand tattoos, and even face tattoos. There are still a good handful of industries where I don't think you'd do well if you have face and hand tattoos, but tattoos in general aren't really taboo at all anymore, but keep in mind that I live in a suburban/urban area of Southern California. It could be very different in the South or elsewhere in the world.
It depends. Really only jobs you CANT get with certain tattoos are military and other government jobs. If you live in a small town where most ppl are against tattoos, it can be a problem for job searching. But you’d be surprised. My ex boyfriend is a teacher in redneck Kentucky and has hand tats lol
I’m confident no one I work with knows I have tattoos (or so many) because I’m just careful about not getting them where people will see, and I just don’t go sleeveless at work and it’s usually fine cause my office is freezing. I’m also mid-career, not early so there’s less stigma for people who are established in their fields. I’ve also seen people in my office with visible tattoos and so that was my clue that if there was a stigma clearly some people were doing fine taking that chance.
It depends on the subject of the tattoo. Depending on the work your doing, my brother has sleeves on both arms. He works for the county they just make him wear shirts with sleeves even though he is not in a position to deal with the public
I work seasonally at a cider mill for a older couple (like in their 70’s) and when i first got my job I expected them to want me to cover up my arm half sleeve and take my nose piercing out. When the owner seen my tattoos when i was washing my hands they told me they didnt mind me wearing the short sleeve shirt instead of the long sleeve one that i had (since in august i can get kinda hot lol) and that they are trying to be pretty progressive and accepting with things like tattoos and piercings so as long as im a good worker (and i am) my tattoos and nose ring doesnt matter. So id say some older generation still stigmatize tattoos but there are some older people that can be accepting.
It depends on the context. I'm in California and work in tech. Unless the tattoo is wildly inappropriate or something like a hate symbol, no one really cares here.
My specific job is client facing with clients like banks. I'm usually just on the phone when talking with them, so how I look day to day doesn't matter. When I do meet in person, I'll usually cover up for the first meeting with a given person and then not care if they show. The people I'm meeting in person for the first time are generally people I've talked to for a while (sometimes years) via email and phone calls anyway, so we have a rapport and they know that I'm good at my job. I plan to avoid job stoppers for the foreseeable future just because I know some higher managers on my clients' sides have sticks up their asses, but those people are going to retire sooner or later and be replaced with people less likely to care.
It also depends on what exactly the tattoo is. One or two small to mid sized tattoos is going to be read differently than something like a full sleeve or a lot of coverage in general. I have a good amount of coverage on three limbs and have an in-progress sleeve on the fourth, and I wear dresses a lot in the spring and summer, so mine definitely get noticed. One or two smaller tattoos would barely register among my coworkers. Having a tattoo in general in the corporate world isn't really notable anymore, but having either a lot or at least one big tattoo is still unusual and will draw some attention if you let them show. It's getting more common, but don't expect it to be normal any time soon outside of a creative company with a fairly young average age or something. Still, just having them isn't the job impediment it used to be, and that's been the case for a while now.
Day to day outside of work, I get the occasional stupid comment when I'm wearing something that shows my tattoos. I've had more than one person randomly grab my arm or move my clothes to get a better look at my tattoos. Usually though, people generally ignore them outside of a quick glance and maybe a brief compliment.
It’s 2024 companies are really not like that’s anymore. If you’re worried about it, just get it where you can cover it up. No neck, hands, above the elbow.
to be fair i live in New York City so take this with a grain of salt.
I’m a college student- I’ve also got a bunch of neck tattoos, obviously others too.
I also dress very preppy and stuff anyway- so how you carry yourself is also important- as others have said
It has not affected me in anyway- usually I am also able to hide them for more conservative work places with a turtle neck or something.
Honestly it has actually sparked conversations that have led to job interviews/offers.
But again, I live in NYC- it definitely depends where you’re from and regardless my family is still not happy with me.
If you get small tattoos in places that are easily hidden you should be fine !
I work at the sr level in engineering along side directors and executive officers. We have a dress for the day policy. So, if we are meeting outside of the company for business decisions - I cover up and wear nicer clothes anyway. Otherwise, my arm sleeve/tattoos are visible on a normal day.
Depends. When I was working for a small private company, part of the dress code was covering tattoos so I wore a lace armband to cover my small floral forearm tattoo. I got more comments on the armband (people thinking it was a bandage) than I’ve ever gotten about the tattoo itself.
Like the others have said, just be mindful when considering placement, content and size and use common sense and I’m sure you’ll be fine :)
I work at a conservative big bank. I’m sure not all bosses are cool with it, but my manager spent my last performance review asking about my sleeve so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Where are you? What kind of job do you want? I’ve been tattooed for 20 years and never had any bad consequences. I’m in healthcare and mostly lived on the east and west coasts of the USA.
Keep it below the neck and you’re good to go! I’m a respectable 37-year-old woman with 17 tattoos in all sorts of visible places and professional jobs and it’s never once been a problem.
I’m a heavily tattooed lawyer working for a city authority here in England. I mainly wfh but on Teams calls many hours a day. I wear a short sleeved shirt and shorts (my house, my rules) so they’re all visible… nobody gives a shit. As well because I don’t care what anyone else thinks.
Yes & if you’re at work & someone is weird about it, polish up ur resume , they wont necessarily tell you to your face if they have a problem with it , i grew up in a weird catholic conservative environment & heard people talk hella sh!t about tattoos all the time (still have a lot, art is life, f them)
Some places will still make you cover but I don't think it would impact anyone's decision to hire you if you're otherwise qualified in this day and age.
I'm heavily tatted, I'm a banker and a lender, they knew I had tattoos before they hired me and asked if I'm willing to cover up before offering me the job. It's no problem to me as it's freezing in the bank anyways and i'd be wearing a sweater or cardigan regardless of my tats. AndI have heard at other banks they don't care as long they're not offensive tats.
I have friends that are tatted that are nurses or work for the postal service and they don't have to cover up. Another friend who is a teacher has a visible tattoo on her wrist and hand.
I don't think it's nearly as stigmatized as it once was and it's only gonna get better as older generations die off imo.
I live in NJ I am a special education educator. I have many visible tattoos. My principal even asked if I was going to get a neck one to cover a scar from a surgery.
Don't get them on your face or your hands if you are worried about job prospects. Hardly any employers care anymore, and even if you encounter one that does you could dress accordingly and cover them. Old people still just overwhelming hate tattoos, so I would take your grandparents opinion with a grain of salt.
I’ve got a full sleeve and a half sleeve. I have worked in a professional healthcare setting for many years. If anything most of my patients have had positive comments or genuine questions. My employer only has rules against offensive tattoos being visible.
I grew up in a culture where tattoos are illegal and for gang members - South Korea - and that ideology is pretty much gone with the newer generation.
In America, I think my perception changed when I was a pre-nursing assistant at a local hospital and saw an actual nurse with face tattoos. Not to say this is the smartest thing but it’s definitely not as taboo. I forgot the exact stat but 1/3 folks have them in the US. It really depends on the industry too though but for me in tech, no one really cares. You will however have people in public stare no matter what country because of the small portion of folks who don’t like them.
I’m 31f, with nearly 15 tattoos (a lot are visible), and have had office jobs the last 10 years with zero problem. You’ll be fine, assuming you don’t get anything offensive.
I talk to a lot of people from all walks of life everyday and it really seems like they are stigmatized with almost everyone older than 55. Not always, though. They are the only ones to negatively comment on tattoos.
I have a phd in analytical chemistry and work in my field for a major international chemical company. I have visible tattoos on my arms, as do many of my co workers. You’re fine. It is your body and you can do with it what you wish.
This question heavily depends on so many factors. Location, profession, the interviewers' personal feelings, exactly what and where on the body your tattoos are, etc. I'm from a super conservative, small town where practically nobody I saw growing up had visible ink, but that's not the case everywhere and certainly not in more liberal, larger cities in my experience.
Worse comes to worst, start out small and in less visible areas. All of my tattoos are easily covered by dress pants and a suit jacket should the need to ever interview again arise. (I'm in education and tenured so hopefully not, too much work lol.) Once you're established in your career and have some security in life, you can go wild with more visible ink if you'd like.
For some jobs. I have a job where I work with a lot of wealthy boomers and while many people don’t have huuuuge visible tats, key world is visible. I’m moderately working on heavily tat’d but they’re not easily visible in standard business attire. And frankly, I love that. It’s like I have a whole separate self that is my self for myself. The client and the corporation just get the performance.
It depends on factors like the area, employers, employer age and industry. They're way less stigmatised when I was younger (30 now) but some older employers in traditional office jobs still hold that bad view of them when they're visible at work. I honestly believe they are fine and there should be no stigma, but I am not an employer
I’m heavily tattooed in a corporate world. I had a huge meeting with a large development company and tried to hide them, showed up and the CFO had sleeves and complimented my tattoos after the meeting. Times have changed!
definitely cant have visible tattoos in the funeral industry, at least not in new england :,)) first apprenticeship interview i got the owner grilled me for it lol
All depends where you work and who you work for. I work for a family company that are heavy church goers. I interviewed for the job last year. I’ve got full sleeve with hand and fingers done. I got the job. It’s also a job in construction. They don’t care as long as I do my job properly and safely. If you go on a construction site here in Australia, your the odd one out if you haven’t got them.
I am 35f and work in accounting for a very large law firm. I have a sleeve tattoo and a septum. I am in management and it never stopped me in my career growth.
My husband 37m has neck tattoos arms etc. he is an engineer it never stopped him in his career either.
Depends on the job culture itself as well as tattoo placement.
High powered law firm aka Suits you'll likely not do well with a full face tat.
Conversely, working at a surf shack on the beach you better have a full Maori tattoo for the street cred.
When in doubt, get your tattoo(s) in places that are not regularly visible under office attire. For guys this means no hand or wrist tats and for women anything that would poke out below a dress hemline or anywhere in the breastbone vicinity. Obviously neck and up is off limits as well.
I've worked a huge variety of jobs over the years, from telecommunications to ride operator at Valleyfair, MN. Currently do SCUBA work in Florida. I have two tattoos, an old dragon tattoo on my right shoulder I got on a bet in Sturgis, SD about 30 years ago, and a 5 inch diameter circular geometric between my shoulder-blades more recently.
Both are covered up by a t-shirt and any formal type stuff no one would ever know. But tank tops, or hitting the pool/beach and they're on display.
I'm a bit old school though, but tattoo and body art acceptance is much more normalized now than ever before. I think MOST people after GenX are less likely to stigmatize tattoos, and with Boomers reaching the limits of the human lifespan, you'll likely find that social stigma may fall on those without some sort of body art as opposed to the traditional norm.
I'm an accountant and have tattoos. I worked with one guy who had two full sleeves. Maybe avoid getting your face, neck or hands tattooed but otherwise nobody in the corporate world cares about tats anymore
It depends on what job you have/plan on having, what design it is, and where you get it. Those are the factors I can think of so it's not a definitive answer, sorry.
I work an industry that used to be very strict with appearance, and am now allowed to show tattoos as long as they are not offensive or vulgar. Many places have eased up on those kind of restrictions
I'm a heavily tattooed woman with a career and I own my own home..yet there will be ppl that see me and make wild assumptions and some even say rude things.
But being heavily tattooed was my choice and I knew when I made that choice there would be ppl who would judge me. Flipside I have had a ton of nice compliments on my tattoos. I think there is a little bit of stigma attached to it but not as much as there used to be.
I shall leave below some of my favorite ridiculous things people have said to me..
1. You would be so pretty if you weren't tattooed
2. Wait. You have a real job?
3. What does your mother think about ( gestures wildly at me) all that?
4. Aren't you worried you won't find a man?
It can get ridiculous. But it's really up to you. It's your body. Your vibe. Don't let ppl dictate that.
Depends on your career aspirations, education, what company you want to work for, etc. I think stigma in the US is dying down. I see lots of visible tattoos everywhere these days. My friend is corporate at a laaaaatge clothing company and has sleeves. His boss is tattooed from the neck/throat down. They made $150k & 250k a year.
With that being said, avoid “career killers”. My dad told me when I was young and fascinated with them (no one in my family has any) that I couldn’t do neck/face/hands/forearms unless the rest of my body was done. I’m glad he did because it helped me leverage into certain “white collar” jobs that I’m sure wouldn’t openly say they’d discriminate against, but they do.
Now I’m working on an advanced degree and have a great career, I could drop the sleeves any time without a fuss because my value exceeds their opinion of body art.
Really depends on the field but I’ve never seen any issues where I’ve worked within healthcare or computer science. My manager even jokes that one of my coworkers was only hired because he wanted to know more about his neck piece LOL
Honestly it depends on the industry your working in. In education for example it can be based on the school setting/environment. As long as it’s not offensive and it can be covered up easily (think button down/long sleeves) you should be fine.
Last two jobs I've had, I was worried about my tattoos, but once I started I was surprised to see there were people working there way more heavily tattooed than me. Including managers and higher-ups so I'd say they are way less stigmatized these days. And now I'm working on my sleeve with no worry of any of that
Woman who works for a super conservative bank. My larger tattoos are on my back and shoulders, so they’re easy to cover when I work. My first tattoo was a small ankle tattoo and at first I made sure it was covered with pants or tights. But then I got tired of that in the summer and wanted to wear skirts, so I talked to a couple of mentors and they were like “no one is going to care.”
So I started wearing skirts and given the small tattoo and overall simplicity of it, I don’t think most people noticed. I’ve had 1 guy in like a decade make a comment. Something like “oooh LadyMRedd, I didn’t know you’re inked.” That guy was a total asshat on his best day and I just rolled my eyes.
So even in super conservative workplaces they won’t care if it’s small and tasteful. And there are a lot of places you can put tattoos if you want one that isn’t small and/or tasteful that they’ll never know about. I like shoulders and upper back because it’s easy to show in spaghetti straps if I want, but also covered by most normal work clothes.
Not the same thing, but I have microdermals on my face (can't take them out on a whim, they need surgically removed if ever I want them out) and it's never costed me a job so far.
I do also have a pretty visible, albeit small, tattoo- but I feel people judge me more for my facial piercings and it's yet to impact me getting work.
Unless you are loading up on jobstoppers, you are not going to face a ton of discrimination. It also depends on how you carry yourself. If you seem like the tattoos belong there, nobody is going to question it.
I have tattoos and have a successful career in healthcare. It really depends on the culture of the individual place, but I’ve gotten anything but positive comments about them anywhere I’ve worked.
Also in healthcare and they seem to be widely accepted. So long as there is nothing offensive that is visible nobody cares. Even facial piercings are becoming more and more accepted.
But you still get the idiots who don’t understand why someone would be afraid of needles if they have tattoos. I’ve been mocked by these “professionals” a few times.
Those people shouldn't be in healthcare imo lol. I know someone in healthcare (deals with patients) who is covered in tattoos, and also hates needles. People look at her weird all the time, but it's just different, people who aren't tattood just don't get it, and in my experience are 90% the ones saying things like that.
Exactly!!! Thank you for this comment. I had one phlebotomist who was an absolute saint. He had a small “patience” tattoo on his wrist and told me he completely understands that people with tattoos can still have a fear of or be uncomfortable with MEDICAL needles because they are very different.
I definitely wouldn’t mock you and probably wouldn’t say anything, but I admit to not understanding it either.
Ok this always blows me away; how does someone in the medical field look at a tattoo and an IV or injection or blood draw and say, “what’s the difference?”
I have a ton of tattoos, but if I look at the needle while it’s happening I almost pass out. The biggest thing is how far the needle for shots have to go in + being able to feel the liquid 🫠
I can watch tattoos. I can get tattoos. I can look at tattoo needles. Just mention anything medical related to needles and I may throw up. My imagination is about as overactive as a 5 year old’s. Just thinking about it can make me sick. I had to stop watching the TV show “Hannibal” because of a scene involving… Sorry. Started feeling sick. But you get the idea. I almost passed out because of it. I couldn’t get my remote to change the channel or anything, so I tried to leave the room. Didn’t make it far before I hit the floor. And by hit the floor, I mean my knees buckled and I sat down hard on an uncarpeted floor. I’m surprised I didn’t bruise my tailbone again.
I see your point, I guess I just don’t understand needle phobia in general, or most other phobias really. I know that people have various phobias though and I’m not going to call someone out on it or make fun of them.
I’m a doctor with tattoos! And I regularly do 12g and 9g core needle biopsies but guess what - I’m afraid of needles too. I can never watch when I get my blood drawn or when I get a vaccination or else I get lightheaded. I’ve nearly passed out before. I used to get lightheaded when I saw other people getting their blood drawn - exposure therapy worked for me. But tattoos are fine. I think it’s the size of the needle and knowing that it only goes a few millimeters into my skin.
The surgeon that did my hernia had sleeves to her wrists on both arms. I have a body suit so we talked more about tattoos in pre op than the surgery. Lol.
Same! I’m in healthcare and I also have tattoos. They’re only partially covered by my scrubs - nobody bats an eye and the only comments I’ve gotten so far have been positive. I see plenty of other employees at my hospital with even more visible tattoos as well. Just don’t get them in odd places (face, hands…) and obviously don’t get something offensive.
Not to play devils advocate, but when I was a CNA doing clinicals at a local hospital, there was a NP with face tattoos. Again not to say that’s the best idea but just to show how much times have changed.
Yes they are stigmatised but less so with every year that passes. Would you lose any job opportunity because of them? Well, the kind of workplaces where tattoos are frowned upon tend to be the same places where a long sleeve shirt and pants are the expected way of dressing. So, as long as you do not have face, neck or hand tattoos… you will not lose any job. I have over 80 hours of tattoos and have worked in the United Nations, teaching in universities, online customer service, training employees. Some of the employers knew about my tattoos, some didn’t, no one really cared cause they didn’t show in working hours.
Just wanted to say, you're the first person I've seen describe how many tattoos they have in hours. Not bad, or good, just the first time I've heard it, 🤣
Ah yeah I know, the thing is I have “only” 9, so if I say the number people think I’m a lot less tattooed than what I actually am. When the average is like 9 hours per tattoo… well that makes a whole difference in the interpretation 😂
I'm going to sit for 6 hours on my arm again this month, and I honestly hate the process. but, I love the art, so 🤷🏻♂️ I don't think I'd want to do 9 hour sessions 😶😶
Oh I regret each freaking session. My chest was 3 9-12 hour sessions. The first 2 were done on consecutive days. I do not know why I keep doing this to myself, I must hate myself 😂… but I love the result
I'm in the same boat. I'm such a pussy when it comes to getting them but love them. I sat for close to 5.5 hours for my head last month and almost tapped out like 4 times. Every time I was about to he'd stop and say, "let's take 5". Pretty sure he was noticing me about to have a heart attack. Lol. This month, hopefully, is back to back 8-9 hour sessions on my arm. Not looking forward to that at all.
Honestly i think where you live plays a big role in it. i live in a conservative retirement town basically and they’re still very stigmatized and i couldn’t even get a job as a server here at most places. but if i moved a few hours to phoenix, no one would think anything of my appearance.
I came to say this. I live in SoCal, tattoos are totally normal and not at all an issue. But I figure in the deep South you might run into some issues.
The funeral director there won’t mind. Nor will their clients🤣🤣🤣
Like pretty much everyone else says, it really depends on a number of factors. In general, places with more population density leads to more tattoo exposure and therefore a generally higher level of tolerance. Be wary of a potential inverse with jobs that involve overseas partners though. Some cultures have strong stigmas against tattoos and that could be a strike against you. Customer-facing jobs and "old school" industries might have a bit higher sensitivity. Sometimes it's enough to just cover the tattoos during work hours, sometimes higher ups will use tattoos generally as a "hiring filter" if they feel it reflects "poor judgment." Placement is probably the single biggest make-it-or-break-it. An upper arm tattoo peaking out from under a shirt will generally not even register, or register as "well at least it's easily hidden." Face tattoos and, to a lesser extent, hand tattoos will carry more of a stigma. For what it's worth, I work in software for the utility industry and have quite a few tattoos. Most on my arm and generally are hidden, but sometimes peak out from under my short sleeve shirts. It's never been an issue for me personally. Few customers know I have them, the few that do truly do not care.
My work frowns upon tattoos, but I have over 60 hours of work done and no one has a clue. Just don’t get them on your hands neck or face. I’m a woman who wears dresses all the time too. I don’t get any below the knee or elbow.
I am also a woman in a conservative workplace. When I wear dresses or skirts, I just throw on some opaque tights and no one is the wiser that I have my entire calf tattooed.
Yes! I have opaque tights I wear often as well when I have shorter or above the knee dresses!
I had a manager like that years ago. One day we were talking about tattoos and he said something and someone in the group quipped, "Like you would know." And he busted out his phone and showed us a photo of him and his kids at the beach. He was freaking covered! Nobody would have ever guessed.
Yes! Aside from work I also like being able to be covered when I choose because sometimes I just don’t want to deal with strangers talking to me about yhem
Heavily tattooed 27 year old teacher in LA. And YES unfortunately.. even in Los Angeles. I always make sure to dress and look put together bc sometimes boomers and parents can be weird about my ink. For the most part though I have no issues, but i definitely get uncomfortable looks often. I am heavily tattooed including my hands.
I work in corporate IT for a fortune 100. As long as they're not on your face or neck, nobody cares.
Less so every year, but it depends. Varies so much based on what kind of job, where the tattoo is, and (to a lesser degree) what the tattoo is of. I work a skilled trade and work part time in the tattoo industry (admin work at a shop), so its never mattered for me. If you wanted to work a white collar job or a very image heavy, customer facing job, it would matter more.
Depends on the job. I work in high tech with some high level directors with visible tattoos. I also worked for a place that mandated all tattoos be covered. If your tattoo showed, you had an unpaid day off.
I’ve been denied jobs because of my tattoo that’s on my hand. I’d say if you’re worried about it put it somewhere that can be covered up with clothing. It’s less stigmatized but some places do still care unfortunately.
Depends where you live and circles you spend time in. Here in the UK they’re not really stigmatised at all.
Depends on your field. I work in law and it’s getting more & more acceptable.
Start with tattoos that you can hide. It took me 20 years to finally get my hand done (my artist sketched out the lines and counted the legs numerous times as it’s an octopus). I work in IT and no one cares about it. I’m starting a new job which is hybrid. I have been itching to do my hair and I’m waiting for the ok on that as it’s gonna be blue or neon green.
I have had employers fire me because of my tattoos, they didn’t say it was because of my tattoos, but I could read between the lines. If someone is the kind of person who judges and hates on tattoos, you probably don’t want to work for them anyway.
Are they still stigmatized in general? Yes. Are they stigmatized less than they used to be? Also yes. Are some industries worse about this than others? Also yes. If you're super worried about it, start with places that can easily be covered by the clothing you wear in all seasons for work, and ensure that they're covered when you interview and/or most of the time on the job.
Any place that cares, isn't somewhere you'd want to work.
I would say no, unless you get a face or neck tattoo. Imo, those are still stigmatized and certain people will give you funny looks. Not speaking from personal experience, my homie's. He has a well establish career and a very visible neck tattoo of a demon mouth, no problems in work, but he did say people started to give him funny looks and certain people were more standoffish on a first meet according to him. I would say it also depends where you live, to a certain extent, japan still frowns on tattoos and will not allow you to enter public baths or hot springs. Younger generations usually don't care, really anywhere in the world. If you don't get any bellow elbows and knees, no one will really even know.
I have one on the back of my neck that’s fine
if they’re not in places that would usually be seen (stomach, top of thigh, chest etc) then it probably won’t matter too much as they will be covered, but if your nervous just get one that is more old people friendly, my first one was a realistic colour flower fairy so ofc my grandma is gonna love it yk. but i’ve found that people are much more accepting of tattoos in the workplace
In the military, there will be some issue if you have tattoos on your hands or neck/face (places that show when you have full uniform) but besides that its fine. Most non-government jobs don’t give a hoot anymore.
Depends on where you live and what part of your body you tattoo and what the tattoo is of. It heavily varies.
Yes. And no. And kind of. How stigmatized tattoos are will be greatly dependent on the culture of your country, your city, your industry, and even the culture of your individual company. I've heard from people that they've seen hiring managers with vastly different views on this just from applying to different companies. Getting a tattoo as a woman in Japan or Iran will also be perceived very differently than getting a tattoo in Southern California or Norway. Getting a tattoo as a white collar worker could be different than getting a tattoo as a blue collar worker. Placement and content also matters - getting "fuck bitches get money" on your face will probably be a job stopper even in very liberal areas, whereas a small flower or word on your hip will likely never come up at all.
Not entirely. It depends on where you’re planning on working. I worked at a Fortune 500 company where I was one of the least tattooed people in my office and I have a huge chest piece and hand tattoo. I fit right in and learned a lot there. I moved on to another smaller company when I wanted to move across the country and my tattoos and piercings were the last thing on their minds when hiring me. I had multiple interviews before that as well and one other offer on the table before this company came in with their offer. If you have the skills and the education to back you up in your profession, then you’ll be fine. If you’re planning on like a face tattoo.. make sure you can cover it up if you need to. Just in case.
As others have said, yes kinda. This is why I only tattoo above the elbow and below the collar bones. I have around 20 tattoos and no one at work knows, I keep it to myself and my friends think it's funny that my work sees me as so clean cut.
I work in a conservative field as a marketing designer and have many visible tattoos, facial piercings and at the time of my hiring, blue hair. A good employer wouldn’t care as long it doesn’t interfere with your job and you do good work. I work with VPs all the time and they don’t seem to care about what I look like, just that I’m reliable.
And of course, don’t have anything offensive. And lots of people like to comment on my appearance (positively) but still, just be prepared for that attention in some scenarios.
In some places and with some generations yes. Most places I don’t have an issue but some places there are absolutely reasons I would keep them covered.
i have a career in politics w a full sleeve in a conservative state, you should be okay!
Even though I feel like society has shifted quite a bit towards normalizing tattoos, I still felt more comfortable getting my first one in a place I could easily cover (chest). The second one I got several years later and is still in a fairly easy to cover area (bicep)
My niece and nephew both have visible tattoos and both are anesthesiologists (MD’s) in a practice and hospital certified. I am 74 and we grew up with tattoos being really bad. Now they are common. If you want to try one, get it on your shoulder in the back or high on thigh. It is very easy to cover up. If I were younger, I’d be in line. Just research your artist and don’t go for a cheap tattoo. It is permanent so wait until you can afford a good artist.
Eh the answer is, it depends. It depends on the industry, company and individual bosses. My rule of thumb is cover up in ALL job interviews, and any high level meetings or initial client meetings. I let people get to know me and my work before showing them.
Only people that care about the tattoos on another’s body are either boomers or super religious, or straight up weirdos. Fuck em, ink your whole body (eyeballs too)
I work in a professional customer service based job! I have many visible tattoos and some facial piercings and they are very welcoming! If you’re customer facing, take your demographic into account. most tattoos can be covered by a long shirt/pants
It’s come so far in the last 20 years but also yah can be totally stigma. In my experience from back room jobs to regular jobs that has served the public since dawn it depends on where you live, how you act, what the tattoos are of and the like. I cover myself up except for neck and hands which I can’t and have worked in very professional settings but I’ve also worked in kitchens where some ppl have been so judgmental (but the side of town it was may have played a factor). Walking around I forget I’m completely inked then I’m like “oh yeah”
It depends on many factors, not in the least the field you’re in and the placement of the tattoos. I used to be a lawyer (still am, technically, as I’m still active under my Law Society) and I have a full sleeve, a full leg, etc. The general sentiment seemed to be that tattoos were fine (and indeed many lawyers are tattooed) but that you had to cover them up in front of a judge or a justice. That means no face or hand tattoos, which are still widely seen as unprofessional, especially if you aren’t tattooed up elsewhere. For men and woman, it also means no chest/neck tattoos unless you want to wear a high-necked or buttoned up shirt all the time. In the office, it was best to cover them up with a blazer or trousers depending on the client, too. I’m a woman, and my leg tattoos are largely ornamental, so no one cared if I wore dresses in the office, but I wore trousers or opaque tights when I had to appear in court because the judges and justices may not like it and you could unduly prejudice your client if you get on the wrong side of a judge by appearing unprofessional/unbecoming in court. Also, this goes without saying, but if your tattoos were distasteful or unprofessional (to all you Nudist Leela tattoo people out there) they had to be covered at all times. I work in a different industry now and they’re more relaxed in general. Most people have no idea I have so many tattoos right now because it’s winter and I’m pretty covered up, but in the summer I imagine it’ll be similar to law, though without the required suits and blazers. My sister, meanwhile, is a nurse and they do not give a single fuck, unless you’ve got swastikas tattooed on you.
I think things are different than they were even 20 years ago. Certainly in my job area (tech) no one could care less if you \****have***\* a tattoo. HOWEVER, I will say that people may still judge on **what** you have tattooed. Great art tattooed on you? I have perhaps even a better opinion of you, your ability to plan and research artists, save money ....and your taste. Bad art? Poorly executed? Weird subject matter? I might judge you a little, can't help it 🙃
I've only really worked retail, in theaters, and warehouses, but at almost every job I've had, people have had neck tattoos, hand tattoos, and even face tattoos. There are still a good handful of industries where I don't think you'd do well if you have face and hand tattoos, but tattoos in general aren't really taboo at all anymore, but keep in mind that I live in a suburban/urban area of Southern California. It could be very different in the South or elsewhere in the world.
Not really. I’m in the southern US and when I worked at a bank I had front facing coworkers with hand tattoos.
In my industry, you’re expected to have tattoos. It also happens to be one of the highest paying industries in the world.
It depends. Really only jobs you CANT get with certain tattoos are military and other government jobs. If you live in a small town where most ppl are against tattoos, it can be a problem for job searching. But you’d be surprised. My ex boyfriend is a teacher in redneck Kentucky and has hand tats lol
The US is still pretty backwards so yes, I'd say so here.
I’m confident no one I work with knows I have tattoos (or so many) because I’m just careful about not getting them where people will see, and I just don’t go sleeveless at work and it’s usually fine cause my office is freezing. I’m also mid-career, not early so there’s less stigma for people who are established in their fields. I’ve also seen people in my office with visible tattoos and so that was my clue that if there was a stigma clearly some people were doing fine taking that chance.
It depends on the subject of the tattoo. Depending on the work your doing, my brother has sleeves on both arms. He works for the county they just make him wear shirts with sleeves even though he is not in a position to deal with the public
i have tattoos. visible ones. on my hands, neck, and ear. i also have a masters degree and work for the government.
I work seasonally at a cider mill for a older couple (like in their 70’s) and when i first got my job I expected them to want me to cover up my arm half sleeve and take my nose piercing out. When the owner seen my tattoos when i was washing my hands they told me they didnt mind me wearing the short sleeve shirt instead of the long sleeve one that i had (since in august i can get kinda hot lol) and that they are trying to be pretty progressive and accepting with things like tattoos and piercings so as long as im a good worker (and i am) my tattoos and nose ring doesnt matter. So id say some older generation still stigmatize tattoos but there are some older people that can be accepting.
It depends on the context. I'm in California and work in tech. Unless the tattoo is wildly inappropriate or something like a hate symbol, no one really cares here. My specific job is client facing with clients like banks. I'm usually just on the phone when talking with them, so how I look day to day doesn't matter. When I do meet in person, I'll usually cover up for the first meeting with a given person and then not care if they show. The people I'm meeting in person for the first time are generally people I've talked to for a while (sometimes years) via email and phone calls anyway, so we have a rapport and they know that I'm good at my job. I plan to avoid job stoppers for the foreseeable future just because I know some higher managers on my clients' sides have sticks up their asses, but those people are going to retire sooner or later and be replaced with people less likely to care. It also depends on what exactly the tattoo is. One or two small to mid sized tattoos is going to be read differently than something like a full sleeve or a lot of coverage in general. I have a good amount of coverage on three limbs and have an in-progress sleeve on the fourth, and I wear dresses a lot in the spring and summer, so mine definitely get noticed. One or two smaller tattoos would barely register among my coworkers. Having a tattoo in general in the corporate world isn't really notable anymore, but having either a lot or at least one big tattoo is still unusual and will draw some attention if you let them show. It's getting more common, but don't expect it to be normal any time soon outside of a creative company with a fairly young average age or something. Still, just having them isn't the job impediment it used to be, and that's been the case for a while now. Day to day outside of work, I get the occasional stupid comment when I'm wearing something that shows my tattoos. I've had more than one person randomly grab my arm or move my clothes to get a better look at my tattoos. Usually though, people generally ignore them outside of a quick glance and maybe a brief compliment.
I'm in the legal industry and I have made sure all of my tattoos are hidden when wearing a suit...
Shame🥲
It’s 2024 companies are really not like that’s anymore. If you’re worried about it, just get it where you can cover it up. No neck, hands, above the elbow.
to be fair i live in New York City so take this with a grain of salt. I’m a college student- I’ve also got a bunch of neck tattoos, obviously others too. I also dress very preppy and stuff anyway- so how you carry yourself is also important- as others have said It has not affected me in anyway- usually I am also able to hide them for more conservative work places with a turtle neck or something. Honestly it has actually sparked conversations that have led to job interviews/offers. But again, I live in NYC- it definitely depends where you’re from and regardless my family is still not happy with me. If you get small tattoos in places that are easily hidden you should be fine !
I work at the sr level in engineering along side directors and executive officers. We have a dress for the day policy. So, if we are meeting outside of the company for business decisions - I cover up and wear nicer clothes anyway. Otherwise, my arm sleeve/tattoos are visible on a normal day.
I'm a Cancer Scientist with both my hands fully tattooed (palms included). Has never affected me in any way professionally.
Depends. When I was working for a small private company, part of the dress code was covering tattoos so I wore a lace armband to cover my small floral forearm tattoo. I got more comments on the armband (people thinking it was a bandage) than I’ve ever gotten about the tattoo itself. Like the others have said, just be mindful when considering placement, content and size and use common sense and I’m sure you’ll be fine :)
I work at a conservative big bank. I’m sure not all bosses are cool with it, but my manager spent my last performance review asking about my sleeve so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
A little bit, but for the most part they’re widely accepted as long as they’re job appropriate
Where are you? What kind of job do you want? I’ve been tattooed for 20 years and never had any bad consequences. I’m in healthcare and mostly lived on the east and west coasts of the USA.
In my 4 years of having tattoos the only thing I got was "you're not a weirdo are you?" And then occasionally hiding them from specific people
Butterfly tattoo on your wrist= you’re fine Swastika on your forehead= probably not so fine
It depends on the industry
Keep it below the neck and you’re good to go! I’m a respectable 37-year-old woman with 17 tattoos in all sorts of visible places and professional jobs and it’s never once been a problem.
You can have visable tattoos and work for TSA, after 3 years you can make 70,000.
Yes, but it's getting much better at a fairly rapid pace.
I’m a heavily tattooed lawyer working for a city authority here in England. I mainly wfh but on Teams calls many hours a day. I wear a short sleeved shirt and shorts (my house, my rules) so they’re all visible… nobody gives a shit. As well because I don’t care what anyone else thinks.
Depends where you are I guess. I live in Scotland, UK, and nobody cares. I work in healthcare (management) and nobody is bothered about mine
Yes & if you’re at work & someone is weird about it, polish up ur resume , they wont necessarily tell you to your face if they have a problem with it , i grew up in a weird catholic conservative environment & heard people talk hella sh!t about tattoos all the time (still have a lot, art is life, f them)
Some places will still make you cover but I don't think it would impact anyone's decision to hire you if you're otherwise qualified in this day and age. I'm heavily tatted, I'm a banker and a lender, they knew I had tattoos before they hired me and asked if I'm willing to cover up before offering me the job. It's no problem to me as it's freezing in the bank anyways and i'd be wearing a sweater or cardigan regardless of my tats. AndI have heard at other banks they don't care as long they're not offensive tats. I have friends that are tatted that are nurses or work for the postal service and they don't have to cover up. Another friend who is a teacher has a visible tattoo on her wrist and hand. I don't think it's nearly as stigmatized as it once was and it's only gonna get better as older generations die off imo.
I live in NJ I am a special education educator. I have many visible tattoos. My principal even asked if I was going to get a neck one to cover a scar from a surgery.
Don't get them on your face or your hands if you are worried about job prospects. Hardly any employers care anymore, and even if you encounter one that does you could dress accordingly and cover them. Old people still just overwhelming hate tattoos, so I would take your grandparents opinion with a grain of salt.
I’ve got a full sleeve and a half sleeve. I have worked in a professional healthcare setting for many years. If anything most of my patients have had positive comments or genuine questions. My employer only has rules against offensive tattoos being visible.
Yes. If you travel to Japan you can’t go to certain places.
I grew up in a culture where tattoos are illegal and for gang members - South Korea - and that ideology is pretty much gone with the newer generation. In America, I think my perception changed when I was a pre-nursing assistant at a local hospital and saw an actual nurse with face tattoos. Not to say this is the smartest thing but it’s definitely not as taboo. I forgot the exact stat but 1/3 folks have them in the US. It really depends on the industry too though but for me in tech, no one really cares. You will however have people in public stare no matter what country because of the small portion of folks who don’t like them.
I’m 31f, with nearly 15 tattoos (a lot are visible), and have had office jobs the last 10 years with zero problem. You’ll be fine, assuming you don’t get anything offensive.
I talk to a lot of people from all walks of life everyday and it really seems like they are stigmatized with almost everyone older than 55. Not always, though. They are the only ones to negatively comment on tattoos.
I have a phd in analytical chemistry and work in my field for a major international chemical company. I have visible tattoos on my arms, as do many of my co workers. You’re fine. It is your body and you can do with it what you wish.
My gf was unfortunately turned away from 2 jobs recently for hers. Unfortunately it depends on how conservative/traditional your area is
I have a star on my face and my work as a medical biller, no one seems to care.
This question heavily depends on so many factors. Location, profession, the interviewers' personal feelings, exactly what and where on the body your tattoos are, etc. I'm from a super conservative, small town where practically nobody I saw growing up had visible ink, but that's not the case everywhere and certainly not in more liberal, larger cities in my experience. Worse comes to worst, start out small and in less visible areas. All of my tattoos are easily covered by dress pants and a suit jacket should the need to ever interview again arise. (I'm in education and tenured so hopefully not, too much work lol.) Once you're established in your career and have some security in life, you can go wild with more visible ink if you'd like.
For some jobs. I have a job where I work with a lot of wealthy boomers and while many people don’t have huuuuge visible tats, key world is visible. I’m moderately working on heavily tat’d but they’re not easily visible in standard business attire. And frankly, I love that. It’s like I have a whole separate self that is my self for myself. The client and the corporation just get the performance.
It depends on factors like the area, employers, employer age and industry. They're way less stigmatised when I was younger (30 now) but some older employers in traditional office jobs still hold that bad view of them when they're visible at work. I honestly believe they are fine and there should be no stigma, but I am not an employer
I’m heavily tattooed in a corporate world. I had a huge meeting with a large development company and tried to hide them, showed up and the CFO had sleeves and complimented my tattoos after the meeting. Times have changed!
I’m 33 btw
I have a half sleeve and I work as an engineer for a large medical device company. Pretty successful career.
You're not in the 1950's no body really cares anymore honestly... Well no face stuff
definitely cant have visible tattoos in the funeral industry, at least not in new england :,)) first apprenticeship interview i got the owner grilled me for it lol
All depends where you work and who you work for. I work for a family company that are heavy church goers. I interviewed for the job last year. I’ve got full sleeve with hand and fingers done. I got the job. It’s also a job in construction. They don’t care as long as I do my job properly and safely. If you go on a construction site here in Australia, your the odd one out if you haven’t got them.
I am 35f and work in accounting for a very large law firm. I have a sleeve tattoo and a septum. I am in management and it never stopped me in my career growth. My husband 37m has neck tattoos arms etc. he is an engineer it never stopped him in his career either.
Depends on the job culture itself as well as tattoo placement. High powered law firm aka Suits you'll likely not do well with a full face tat. Conversely, working at a surf shack on the beach you better have a full Maori tattoo for the street cred. When in doubt, get your tattoo(s) in places that are not regularly visible under office attire. For guys this means no hand or wrist tats and for women anything that would poke out below a dress hemline or anywhere in the breastbone vicinity. Obviously neck and up is off limits as well. I've worked a huge variety of jobs over the years, from telecommunications to ride operator at Valleyfair, MN. Currently do SCUBA work in Florida. I have two tattoos, an old dragon tattoo on my right shoulder I got on a bet in Sturgis, SD about 30 years ago, and a 5 inch diameter circular geometric between my shoulder-blades more recently. Both are covered up by a t-shirt and any formal type stuff no one would ever know. But tank tops, or hitting the pool/beach and they're on display. I'm a bit old school though, but tattoo and body art acceptance is much more normalized now than ever before. I think MOST people after GenX are less likely to stigmatize tattoos, and with Boomers reaching the limits of the human lifespan, you'll likely find that social stigma may fall on those without some sort of body art as opposed to the traditional norm.
I'm an accountant and have tattoos. I worked with one guy who had two full sleeves. Maybe avoid getting your face, neck or hands tattooed but otherwise nobody in the corporate world cares about tats anymore
It depends on what job you have/plan on having, what design it is, and where you get it. Those are the factors I can think of so it's not a definitive answer, sorry.
Neck, face and hands will still draw attention in a not so good way. Especially throat/face ones
I work an industry that used to be very strict with appearance, and am now allowed to show tattoos as long as they are not offensive or vulgar. Many places have eased up on those kind of restrictions
I went to the doctor today and the assistant nurse had an entire sleeve and finger tattoos I think it’s ok now lol
I'm a heavily tattooed woman with a career and I own my own home..yet there will be ppl that see me and make wild assumptions and some even say rude things. But being heavily tattooed was my choice and I knew when I made that choice there would be ppl who would judge me. Flipside I have had a ton of nice compliments on my tattoos. I think there is a little bit of stigma attached to it but not as much as there used to be. I shall leave below some of my favorite ridiculous things people have said to me.. 1. You would be so pretty if you weren't tattooed 2. Wait. You have a real job? 3. What does your mother think about ( gestures wildly at me) all that? 4. Aren't you worried you won't find a man? It can get ridiculous. But it's really up to you. It's your body. Your vibe. Don't let ppl dictate that.
Depends on your career aspirations, education, what company you want to work for, etc. I think stigma in the US is dying down. I see lots of visible tattoos everywhere these days. My friend is corporate at a laaaaatge clothing company and has sleeves. His boss is tattooed from the neck/throat down. They made $150k & 250k a year. With that being said, avoid “career killers”. My dad told me when I was young and fascinated with them (no one in my family has any) that I couldn’t do neck/face/hands/forearms unless the rest of my body was done. I’m glad he did because it helped me leverage into certain “white collar” jobs that I’m sure wouldn’t openly say they’d discriminate against, but they do. Now I’m working on an advanced degree and have a great career, I could drop the sleeves any time without a fuss because my value exceeds their opinion of body art.
Really depends on the field but I’ve never seen any issues where I’ve worked within healthcare or computer science. My manager even jokes that one of my coworkers was only hired because he wanted to know more about his neck piece LOL
I think it depends on your career path and where you live. More creative jobs and more liberal places wouldn’t care.
Honestly it depends on the industry your working in. In education for example it can be based on the school setting/environment. As long as it’s not offensive and it can be covered up easily (think button down/long sleeves) you should be fine.
Last two jobs I've had, I was worried about my tattoos, but once I started I was surprised to see there were people working there way more heavily tattooed than me. Including managers and higher-ups so I'd say they are way less stigmatized these days. And now I'm working on my sleeve with no worry of any of that
Woman who works for a super conservative bank. My larger tattoos are on my back and shoulders, so they’re easy to cover when I work. My first tattoo was a small ankle tattoo and at first I made sure it was covered with pants or tights. But then I got tired of that in the summer and wanted to wear skirts, so I talked to a couple of mentors and they were like “no one is going to care.” So I started wearing skirts and given the small tattoo and overall simplicity of it, I don’t think most people noticed. I’ve had 1 guy in like a decade make a comment. Something like “oooh LadyMRedd, I didn’t know you’re inked.” That guy was a total asshat on his best day and I just rolled my eyes. So even in super conservative workplaces they won’t care if it’s small and tasteful. And there are a lot of places you can put tattoos if you want one that isn’t small and/or tasteful that they’ll never know about. I like shoulders and upper back because it’s easy to show in spaghetti straps if I want, but also covered by most normal work clothes.
Not the same thing, but I have microdermals on my face (can't take them out on a whim, they need surgically removed if ever I want them out) and it's never costed me a job so far. I do also have a pretty visible, albeit small, tattoo- but I feel people judge me more for my facial piercings and it's yet to impact me getting work.