It has been said many times that tattoos have no place in the professional workplace. The world is progressing forward, and there is more acceptance of the things once deemed unacceptable. Tattoos are a form of expression that people get imprinted on their skin forever. Once people begin to move into the workforce, employers typically consider employees’ appearance. Tattoos have always been a symbol of rebellion, but now, they are more common in all types of people. It is not clear if tattoos are problematic in the workforce or if prohibiting tattoos may strip someone of their values.

Many doctors now have visible tattoos. We should not feel differently about them if they do. This negative stigma around professionals with tattoos limits people from their creative expression. While conducting a small survey within Oswego State, there was a striking discovery about the students. With people bustling through the Marano Campus Center and focused on their phones or music pouring out of their headphones.

This sample of students did not have any tattoos that were strikingly noticeable. A lot of them were on their lower bodies, shoulders, back, foot and other places that a supervisor should not be looking at. Some of the students said they were very strategic with where they placed their tattoos because of the fear of not getting a job. This is ironic though. The students were not worried about not getting a job because their tattoos were not visible; but they also limited themselves on where to get tattooed because of jobs.

It is almost as if the stigma of tattoos is undermining people’s free artistic expression. People should be able to get tattooed where they desire. Appearance does not determine what one is capable of. It should not matter if a teacher or doctor has a full sleeve of tattoos if the credentials are there. Everyone should be allowed to express themselves in any way they choose to whether it be a skull on their neck or an ice cream cone on their face. Appearance does not determine character or ability.

Photo: by Support Tattoos and Piercings at Work via flickr