Tattoos themselves aren't unprofessional, though they do have the capacity to be. If you were to get a rude tattoo or something associated with criminal activity or gangs then it could send the wrong message.
Tattoos are generally accepted in the workplace as long as they're not offensive, unprofessional or distracting. In fact, nearly 3 out of 4 employers say they don't mind hiring tattooed workers. However, visible tattoos are not appropriate for every profession and may not match your company's vision.
Tattoos were previously viewed as rebellious and mostly seen on people who lacked responsibility, were criminals, or were gang members. People's opinions have changed massively over the years, and it's now normal to see people in all walks of life with tattoos.
Tattoos may promote an overly casual atmosphere. Getting tattooed is a leisure activity, so conversations around that topic may be too casual for certain companies. To ensure that workplace interactions remain focused on work, organizations may decline to allow tattoos at the workplace.
Unless they are facial tattoos or otherwise confronting, tattoos are considered completely unremarkable. Middle aged professionals get them, though often in places that are covered or at least not prominent while in work clothes. The further north you go within Australia, the larger and more common they become.
Australia has no national laws that make it illegal for employers to ban visible body ink in the workplace or to reject applicants because of their tattoos.
Tattooing is most popular among Australians in the 20 to 39 year age group. According to McCrindle Research, by 2009, one in four Australians of the Gen Y group— those born between 1982 and 2001—considered having “body art” as an ideal way to celebrate their coming of age.
Traditionally, hand and finger tattoos have been labeled as “job stoppers” because they have rendered plenty of qualified people unhirable, simply because of a visible tattoo. As mentioned before, hand tattoos have grown to become more acceptable and a more common sight in the professional sphere in recent times.
Most career and image counselors recommend that you cover up your tattoos if you can. Even if the person you're interviewing with turns out to be fine with ink, you can still distract yourself from the conversation by stressing over whether or not your tats are visible.
Employees have a right to express themselves, but their right to self-expression cannot come at their employer's expense. Accordingly, most workplace policies that prohibit visible tattoos will be upheld as long as they are applied consistently and do not discriminate along protected grounds.
Tattoos have a controversial reputation and are seen as inappropriate in the workplace largely because they have been associated with criminal activity. However, as more tattooed people enter the workforce, many employers don't think tattoos are as important.
– The Research. According to a Polish study published in the Personality and Individual Differences journal, women don't find tattooed men more (or less) attractive. They do think men with tattoos are healthier, more masculine, dominant, and aggressive, but that they make worse partners and parents.
As traditionally understood, tattoos are prohibited by the Torah. Tradition and practice have affirmed the prohibition. The myth about burial in a cemetery shows that earlier generations took the prohibition seriously to discourage people who might want a tattoo. Like most of those things, it didn't work.”
"Cover your tattoos as much as possible," she advises. "Wear clothing that will hide them or even use tattoo cover-up so they won't be visible. ... You want the interviewer to be focused on you and your qualifications, not your ink."
In terms of tops, nearly anything goes. Long or short sleeves are fine, though you should consider skipping sleeveless or tank tops. Colors and patterns are also acceptable, even ones that are brighter or louder.
Discrimination against tattoos in the workplace
There are currently no employment laws about specifically tattoos in the workplace. So if an employer believes the candidate has inappropriate tattoos for the workplace, they can choose to reject that candidate for that reason.
There are a few reasons why many workplaces do not allow visible tattoos. The main reason is that tattoos can be seen as unprofessional and make the wearer seem like they do not take their job seriously.
Practically every job, (think office worker, mechanic, labourer, dish washer) requires the active use of your hands. The skin here also constantly sheds and is much thicker than other areas of your body, which makes applying the tattoo and the healing of your tattoo even more problematic.
For a third of tattooed Australians, the most recent tattoo was a word or symbol. Popular at the moment are names or initials of family members, children, or partners, as well as symbols that have personal meaning and Latin or Chinese character text. “I have the phrase, 'Never Give Up,” on my left wrist.
The three dots tattoo is a common prison tattoo that represents “mi vida loca,” or “my crazy life.” It's not associated with any particular gang, but with the gang lifestyle itself. This tattoo is typically found on the hands or around the eyes.
Tattoos are an outlet for their creativity
38% of Millennials have between 1-6 tattoos, according to a Pew Research survey. Half of those with tattoos have 2-5 and 18% have 6 or more. The trend has been influenced by celebrities and influencers, and TV shows such as Miami Ink.