Yes or no? Tattoos and piercings in the workplace.
My ears are gauged to 5/8″, I have a little clear rhinestone gem Marylin piercing, and these regularly visible tattoos on my inner wrists.
It’s all quite subtle really. But, I worry people will judge even the slightest, so every time I interview somewhere (Since I left Urban Outfitters) I remove my Marylin piercing, I put in my Cubic Zirconia plugs because I think they look a little less like plugs than my tunnels, and I always wear long sleeves to cover my tattoos. Deceiving? Yes.
At my last job, after I was offered the job I noticed another coworker had large gauged ears, and a stretch nose piercing. It was reassuring and easy for me to feel more comfortable wearing short sleeves and exposing those wrist tattoos, and putting my Marylin piercing back in. My boss noticed it about a month later, and commented that I didn’t have the piercing originally. I told here I took it out for the interview and she laughed and called me sneaky. I always had a really great relationship with her regardless. Turns out she was pretty hip, and had a few tattoos hiding underneath her clothes… As my time went on with the company, I realized more employees had piercings, and more employees with visible piercings and tattoos were hired. I was comfortable with them showing because I no longer worried about being judged or presenting an unprofessional image. I have always been tasteful and appropriate in my work wardrobe. Even if some days, I was more comfortable than others. Our dress code was very relaxed there. I wore jeans everyday. If I did get dressed up (because sometimes it just feels good to) I would get accused of having an interview elsewhere… yeah, that happened. It’s not bad. It was followed by a compliment. But, it did make me uncomfortable with getting too dressed up for work. So, I kept with my casual apparel, and I did love it. It was so easy.
I am on day 4 on my new position. I wore a short sleeved top on day 2, but I still have not put my piercing back in. And I miss it. I have stepped up my daily wardrobe in the past 4 days. I feel much more grown up, as I am dressing the part. I haven’t worn jeans to work, I put on nice shoes, not just flats, nice pants, and make sure my nails are done.
The atmosphere here is different than at my last job’s office. It is still laid back and relaxed mostly. But, people carry themselves a little different. People are a bit more professional in their appearances. And, I happen to love that. It’s inspiring, and fun! Fun, because I get to get ready in the morning, and feel good about how I look. But, I am worried about putting my piercing back in, and what people will think of my silly little visible tattoos.
I’m sure I’m mostly over thinking it all because, one thing about my Marylin piercing, is that it is just as visible without it in, as it is in. And I personally thinks a gaping hole looks much worse thane a gem:
Gem (with piercing in)
Gaping hole (without and jewelry)
I’d like to get some feedback, if anyone happens to come across this post. What is the dress code like where you work? Do you have visible tattoos and piercings that you hide, or let show at work? What are your feelings on tattoos or piercings showing in an somewhat professional office environment?
11 Responses to “Yes or no? Tattoos and piercings in the workplace.”
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My job is laid back on dress code. We dress casually. I was told the policy on piercings and tattoos is that if they are in an “appropriate place” they can be shown.
I think you are fine mama! Even Nordstrom allows facial piercings and visible tattoos, and we deal with the public in a very intimate manner! So working in an office building should be no different. I say go for it mama. The worst they could do is ask you to take the Marilyn out… which I highly doubt will happen.
And question? are you blogging at work? lol. that might not be the best way to spend your time. just sayin
love you xoxox
LOL, agreed Lisa. I started writing the post last night, but almost passed out. I just edited a bit and posted it this morning.
first of all, you are so lovely! i really like your body art – i think it’s really tasteful. i always wanted a marilyn piercing but never thought it would look right with my features. i’ve had my nostril pierced twice & loved the way it looked – but had to ditch it both times for different jobs. i’d love to have it done again but don’t want to put up with the healing time/having it be abused by poppy! ha!
at my most recent job, i was an employee for 5 years. it was at a family-owned natural foods grocery store similar to whole foods. for the first 4 years i was there, they had a policy of no visible tattoos, no visible facial piercings, and less than 3 piercings per ear. SO weird considering that the kind of people who wanted to work there were definitely alternative/hippy types who had tons of body art! one thing that was really frustrating for me was that my boss was incredibly strict about me not showing my tattoos, but would completely ignore other employees who had tats on their neck, wrists, etc. eventually enough people complained (and customers were constantly commenting that we shouldn’t be so restricted!) so the owners changed the policy to allow visible body art.
anyway, that’s a little snippit of my experience with body art in the work place! i definitely thing it should be allowed in most cases, and luckily with it becoming so much more common, policies seem to be moving in that direction naturally…
cheers!
~em
I think as our generation slowly becomes the only workforce available it will become more and more relaxed. I say go for it- or maybe even ask a superior. Just say, “What is the company policy regarding piercings and tattoos? I don’t want to appear unprofessional- but if I have the opportunity to be myself- I’d like to take it.”
I have less work experience than you- but with Express they never cared. It was an office setting but clearly not professional. I mean- plumbers & sweats & heels? (not me!) At Perfect Edge- they were always OK if it was tasteful. I remember them having a problem with Chris’s tattoos/clothes or Callie’s piercings. But Leif’s tongue and my tattoos or strange clothing never bothered them. I think it depends on the overall demeanor of a person if their “look” offends.
At Roy’s is where I heard the most about my tattoos and piercings- but only because it’s Roy & because many of the clientele is so much older. My grandfather’s friends certainly gave me shit on the daily. but, Roy never said I had to cover anything.
i have had many issues with my arms being tattooed, and when i had 10 piercings in my face. i was almost fired, i threatned to file a law suit for discrimination.
you work in an office and i work in customer service dealing with people all day (mostly elderly people, who do not approve of tattoos)
i would ask your boss for a print out of the dress code policy, and see what it says. if its not in the dress code, then simply ask, how they feel about visible tattoos and facial piercings. they will tell you if its ok or not, that way you know and hopefully they are ok with it, so your not wearing long sleeves when its a million degrees this summer.
Every workplace is very unique and different, and you can’t really know in reality how they are about piercings and tats until you actually work there. So I think it’s just about impossible to generalize about it all.
@ Snuffy, very true. I completely agree. I am just needing to get the feel of this work environment.
@ Lisa, I Love that Nordstrom’s policy is as relaxed as it is on piercings and tattoos. I would have guessed it was stricter.
@ Em and Lolo, There is a company handbook with an Appearance policy that I did receive. And Tattoos and Piercings are not mentioned. It basically says use good judgment, and base your dress on you work environment and the job you perform. And it encourages us to contribute to a positive work environment by maintaining high standards of neatness and grooming.
My concern wasn’t so much if it were allowed or not, maybe I worded this wrong. I assume it was allowed. One of the guys that interviewed me, had a lip piercing. I should have mentioned that. My concern is about what the people I am working with are going to think of me. I personally know that I am very professional when it comes to my job, and I know I work hard and take it seriously. I worry that other people will see tattoos and piercings and think differently. Since, some people do tend to judge. Really, that’s why the dress codes in retail and customer service industries are stricter, because you never know what type of person is going to need your help and what they will think.
Since writing this post, I have put my piercing back in. and exposed the wrists a few times.
I was in the bathroom washing my hands and the receptionist, HR director and My boss all came in at the same time. The receptionist noticed my tattoos and asked to seem them. She asked if I had been covering them up. I admitted that I sort of had. (as she was talking to me, I noticed she had a tongue ring). The HR director then mentioned that I did not have to hide my tattoos, She told that they were pretty and to let em fly, and admitted to having a few of her own. She then started giggling and said “Well, we all sort of have a bet going on when you will ask if it’s okay to wear your facial piercings” (implying that they have all noticed the 4 gaping holes in my face, 3 on my lip and the one for the Marylin) I told her I only ever still wear the one above my lip, and I was planning to put it back in. She said “good”.
So, clearly I over analyze for nothing, and work with super cool people.
I agree with Emily – just ask your supervisor what the policy is. And, maybe give yourself a little more time – like a couple weeks to feel the place out entirely – you may start to have a better idea just from talking to people and getting to know your co-workers.
I would say that the atmosphere is more busness than casual where I work – in the office – and everything you have shown would be A-okay. But, we’re here in the frumpy old midwest, so MOST places are not that cool. It would be an issue most places here. unfortunately.
good im glad they are ok with it. its not like you have f*** you tattooed on your wrists.
your tattoos are tasteful and your piercings are not out of control. they probably mostly care about your hair being kept, and that your not a smelly mess.
everything worked out. and i’m so happy your loving your new job!!
Great post! And I'm glad to see from your comment that it's all gravy. Sounds like you do work with a group of progressive people.
Where I work, the legal industry… not so much.
Emma