Tattoos have long carried societal stigma, often seen as markers of rebellion or unprofessionalism.
But as attitudes towards body art evolve, the question remains: should tattoos still hinder people’s ability to secure employment?
We took to the streets to ask people how they feel about tattoos and their impact on job prospects.
For many, the idea of judging someone’s professional abilities based on their tattoos feels outdated and unfair.
One woman spoke of the deep-seated biases that often underlie these judgments: “Any sort of discrimination that you would face based on any facet of your appearance, whether it be tattoos, piercings, it all stems from classism and racism.
“I don’t think anything about the way you look and the way that you present yourself should ever affect your ability to be hired and to work in a professional environment.”
While some advocate for a tattoo-blind approach, others acknowledge the persistence of workplace biases.
One person we spoke to said it’s the reality of the current job market: “I think it shouldn’t affect your chance of employment.
“However, I think it’s idealistic to just assume that everyone will believe that… Unfortunately, I do think for particular sectors, presenting yourself in a certain way is important.
“If that means not getting a tattoo so that you can get a certain job that you like, I think that’s a trade-off that sometimes needs to be made.”
This is clearly a pragmatic view: while societal attitudes are changing, they haven’t shifted entirely.
In industries like finance, law, or customer-facing roles, conservative expectations about appearance still exist.
For some, the acceptability of tattoos depends on their size, placement, and visibility.
One man expressed: “No. But at the same time, you shouldn’t be doing extravagant ones. I can understand a little one here or there, but not face ones.
“Office-y places I think should be not impactful, but it will go towards someone’s decision no matter what.”
So, while small or discreet tattoos are increasingly accepted, visible or bold tattoos might still face resistance in the job market.
Many people strongly felt that tattoos are a valuable form of self-expression and shouldn’t impact employment opportunities.
One person pointed out: “As someone with a bunch of them, no. I don’t think they’re a reflection of your capabilities as an employee.”
Another person shared similar thoughts, celebrating tattoos as markers of individuality: “Tattoos are just such a great way of expressing yourself and your unique identity. You get a job because you’re who you are… Tattoos are just a testament to how you differentiate yourself from other people.”
The consensus among those we interviewed was clear: tattoos should not determine a person’s professional opportunities.
While some acknowledged lingering biases in specific industries, most felt that tattoos have little bearing on a person’s skills or ability to succeed in a workplace.
So, the question isn’t whether tattoos should hinder job prospects – it’s why they ever did in the first place?
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