Tattoos are no longer underground. A 2023 Pew Research study shows that 32% of adults living in the USA have at least 1 tattoo. Workplaces have adapted to this change as well. Several industries accept visible tattoos, while some still have very stringent policies against them. This guide explains which companies allow you to work with tattoos and which ones will be difficult for employees with tattoos.
How Workplace Tattoo Policies Have Changed
Tattoos on a person’s body are no longer banned under most companies’ dress codes. Corporate dress codes used to prohibit exhibiting visible tattoos; however, this practice is diminishing. According to the Talent Solutions survey conducted in 2021, 73% of recruiters indicated that appearing with a tattoo does not impact their evaluation of candidates’ qualifications. Furthermore, younger generations of recruiters have demonstrated even higher rates of acceptance.
The importance of industry is growing, and creative areas create opportunities for self-expression, while the more traditional areas of business will have slower movement, and understanding how to differentiate these different styles can create better targets for your career.
Another factor that plays into acceptance would be geographic location. For example, cities are generally much more progressive than rural areas, which means that tech hubs such as Austin, Seattle, and Portland would have a significantly higher level of acceptance than other locations outside of those areas. Overall, these examples represent different cultural norms/values across the country.
Why Some Industries Still Restrict Tattoos
Conservative industries have more conservative policies regarding customer-facing roles, such as banks, law firms, and financial service companies. The way clients perceive these companies influences the policies they put into place, especially for clients who are older or who tend to be more conservative regarding how they expect you to look as a professional.
In addition to other factors, safety is crucial. Many healthcare environments have some type of policy prohibiting employees from having visible tattoos because of infection control issues. In food service, tattoos may be required to be covered for hygiene purposes. The rationale behind these policies is regarding practicality, not aesthetics.
There are regulations about government and military jobs. Each of the military’s branches releases rules about how big, where, or what kinds of tattoos someone can have. There are different approaches to how federal agencies deal with their respective tattoo policies, so confirm your particular agency before you apply to a job in these fields.
Industries Where Tattoos Are Welcome
Tattoo tolerance is at an all-time high. Body art is frequently viewed as unprofessional in industries like graphic design, advertising, marketing, and entertainment, where self-expression fits the creative environment.
As a whole, technology-related companies have accepted tattoos; Google, Meta, Amazon, and many other tech start-ups put more emphasis on an applicant’s skill set rather than how tattooed they may be. The culture within the tech industry is one that encourages individuality, and typically, relaxed dress codes and policies around tattoos will reflect this as well.
Here are industries with high tattoo acceptance:
- Technology and software development
- Graphic design and creative services
- Music and entertainment
- Fitness and personal training
- Tattoo and body modification industry
- Culinary arts and restaurants
- Construction and skilled trades
- Automotive repair and customization
- Beauty and cosmetology
- Retail (varies by brand)
The acceptance of tattoos in skilled trades is noticeably high, with electricians, plumbers, welders, and mechanics working in environments that have no barriers to having tattoos. Physical abilities are more important than how you look for these individuals. Many people who work in trades also consider tattoos a part of their lifestyle.
Specific Companies Known for Tattoo-Friendly Policies
Starbucks has lifted its visible tattoo restrictions on employees since 2014 and is one of many large businesses (along with Target, Whole Foods, and REI) to openly accept employees with tattoos. These retail jobs offer opportunities for people who fear they will face discrimination due to their tattoos.
Corporate environments can also be supportive of tattoos. Zappos and Patagonia, for example, are two companies that focus their cultural values on being authentic to their employees. These companies believe that allowing employees to have tattoos is a reflection of their commitment to supporting people’s individuality and ability to express themselves.
Before applying, it is important to do research on the company that you are applying to. You can find information regarding the acceptance of tattoos from their company website, by reading through their culture page(s), and also through employee reviews on Glassdoor. If the company has photos of employees with tattoos, it is likely that they will accept employees with tattoos.
Industries With Stricter Tattoo Policies
Each police department has its own guidelines. Some departments permit officers to have tattooed skin but require them to cover it during working hours. Officers with tattoos on their faces, necks, and/or hands are often subject to a tighter restriction; verifications can be provided by the departments being considered.
Most financial organizations operate with conservative dress codes (e.g., banks, mutual funds, and other financial service providers). Most organizations in the financial sector expect to see covered tattoos among their employees. This is likely to be much less important in a back-office-type position than it would be in a client-facing role. Even though we are seeing some changes in this space, the financial services sector is still moving at a slow pace of change.
Complexities arise from the intersection of health care and tattooing. Hospitals have different policies in terms of allowing or banning visible tattoos. Because of this difference in policy, some hospitals will allow you to have part and/or most of your visible tattoos, while others will require you to have any of your visible tattoos covered. Additionally, concerns regarding infection control may create legitimate reasons to restrict someone from having a visible tattoo, and the location of the tattoo will affect your options far more than whether or not you have a visible tattoo.
Other fields with potential restrictions include:
- Airline flight crews
- Hotel front desk positions
- Executive and C-suite roles
- Legal professions
- Government positions
- Formal event venues
Many workers with tattoos have experienced success despite their tattoos in many industries. The greatest factor in whether work can be found with a tattoo is company policy rather than any assumptions regarding whole industries.
How to Handle Tattoos in Job Searches
Investigate potential employers ahead of time by checking out their websites. You’ll want to read to get an idea of what employees think about their dress codes. Look through their social media accounts for any other type of evidence if any of them employ tattooed individuals.
During the interview process, if there are things you need clarity about in terms of the policy, ask at that time. Try to ask after communication with that person has already begun, so it won’t seem so direct. For example, “Could you please tell me about the dress code policy?” will initiate a conversation about the dress code in general without making reference to tattoos specifically.
Cover-up options are versatile. There are specialised items like Dermablend tattoo cover-up that can cover a tattoo well. Long-sleeve shirts or choosing clothing that strategically covers your tattoo can work for many placements. The flexibility from these options allows you to work in places that have varying policy issues.
Addressing Tattoos in Interviews
You are not legally obligated to reveal tattoos during an employment interview. Since tattoos are not considered a protected class under federal law, most discrimination against individuals for having tattoos is legal. However, certain state and local laws may provide limited protections for individuals who have tattoos.
Be open and honest if someone asks you about your willingness to cover up your tattoos if company policy requires it. Most employers value candidates who are willing to accept the company’s practice but advocate for themselves in a way that is appropriate.
In customer-facing positions, an applicant should highlight professionalism and communication abilities. In addition to showing that one can serve customers effectively, showing that an applicant looks professional does not prevent him from doing so. Experience in similar positions demonstrates this ability strongly.
The Future of Workplace Tattoo Acceptance
Generational transformation leads to continuous evolution in organizations and across all generations. Younger workers (in particular, Millennials and Gen Z) have much higher rates of tattooing, and as these generations transition into positions of authority, their organizations will become more lenient regarding tattoos.
The prevalence of tattoos at work is also influenced by the growing trend of remote work. Employees who participate in video meetings rather than face-to-face meetings are less likely to be viewed with visible tattoos. As a result, the ongoing trend of hybrid and remote working will likely cause a change in policy circumstantially.
Tattoos are now seen as a plus by many employers, particularly in creative industries. Having tattoos may also prove to an employer that you fit in with their company culture and are capable of thinking creatively. Employers will look at your sales and work ethic more than how you look when making a hiring decision.
Sources
- Pew Research Center: Survey on American tattoo prevalence (2023)
- Talent Solutions: Hiring manager attitudes toward tattoos (2022)
- Society for Human Resource Management: Workplace dress code guidance
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Employment discrimination guidance
