Tattoos And Piercings In The Workplace: Taboo Or No?
Photo of Maya Greenberg taken by Maya Greenberg
By Maya Greenberg, Contributing Writer
Over the summer I decided to get a septum piercing. The first thing I was asked when I went in to get my septum was whether or not I needed one that I could hide for a job. I hadn’t thought much about the stigma, as I already had a nose piercing and a large tattoo on my arm. Also, being in a progressive city like Madison, piercings aren’t much of a taboo. I immediately began to question my decision and worry about the effect that it could have on me while I apply for law school and look for internships.
Tattoos and piercings have often been perceived as unprofessional or even scary. This is likely due in part to the fact that they are far less popular with the older generations of the workforce, but also, “tattoos and piercings have a bad reputation because people associate them with thugs, rebellion, or delinquency” (Central Scene, 2017). While companies are not allowed to have policies that arbitrarily discourage looks they deem “scary,” they often have strict dress-codes that prohibit specific things such as piercings and visible tattoos (Daily Sundial, 2012).
The prohibition of piercings and tattoos in the workplace is extremely outdated and bad practice for businesses. According to a 2007 poll conducted by Vault, 40% of people considered to be part of Generation Y said they had at least one tattoo (Daily Sundial, 2012). Because of how normalized this has become, customers no longer seem to have a problem with employees whose looks may break some norms. In a poll put out by Fox News, “96% of American adults would not change their current product shopping habits if a business had staff with tattoos and piercings.” (STAPAW, 2012) If almost half of millennials have tattoos, and piercings don’t bother customers, then why should businesses care so much? Not only does it harm those with tattoos and piercings by putting them at a disadvantage for employment, but businesses could potentially lose out on hiring those who are best skilled for the job.
Implementing a more progressive approach to tattoos and piercings has actually shown to benefit businesses. In the last ten years, PetSmart changed their dress-code so that employees could have visible piercings and non-offensive tattoos (STAPAW, 2012). After this change took place, they saw a huge increase in social media followers and “a press value of over $500,000” (STAPAW, 2012).
While some employers may be stuck in their ways, a change is clearly happening. Businesses and the public are judging their employees less on their outward appearance, and more on their merit. To stay current with their customers, it will be more necessary than ever for employers to see beyond a tattooed arm or a pierced nose, and understand that these things are no longer taboo, but a representation of a younger generation.
Sources:
Brianna Noto, “Tattoos and Piercings: Do They Belong in the Workplace in 2017?”. Central Scene, November 14, 2017.
Raewyn Smith, “Tattoos and piercings should be respected in the workplace”. Daily Sundial, May 2, 2012.
“Surprising Victories for Tattoos and Piercings at Work.” STAPAW, 2012.