Has the world finally accepted tattooed-individuals in the workplace, or will the generation be doomed to a jobless future?
Solania Joseph’s tattoo is small and simple, a tiny black cross splashed across the outer edge of her wrist. Unnoticeable, perhaps, but not to everyone.
“Do you think you’ve ever been denied a job because of your tattoo?” I asked.
“Oh, no. It’s not that big. Well, wait, I didn’t get the job at Delta. I was interviewing, and I had long sleeves on. When I made a gesture with my hand, my sleeve fell down a bit, and the interviewer saw it.”
She was applying to be a flight attendant.
I was on a mission to figure out where college students stand on the rapidly evolving issue of tattoos and the workplace – and to see if the rest of the world had caught up with the heavily-inked generation.
Cassy Boettcher is a pastor’s wife, mother of three children with a colorful and very permanent half sleeve.
Including the tattoos on her arm, she has seven in multiple places on her body. The pastor? Thirteen.
Both having served in the military, she said their ink has never held them back. The only hesitation Uncle Sam had was over the meaning of the religious-themed cross and nails adorning the small of her back.
“They were worried it could be gang-related,” Boettcher said.
After assurances it was not, all was well.
USF St. Petersburg student Tinson Nhon is constantly sketching, and has considered becoming a tattoo artist, though he doesn’t have any himself.
“I’m okay with piercings, but I really don’t like the idea of something so permanent on my skin,” he said.
I asked USFSP professor Dr. Barbara Jolley if she had any tattoos.
“No, absolutely not. But I am also afraid of needles,” Jolly said. “You know, back in my day, tattoos were associated with a more criminal element.”
She said she has noticed an increasing number of students getting tattoos over the past several years.
“I think there is a difference, though, between having some and being covered in them.”
Career Center Director Lesa Shouse had many astute things to say about tattoos in the workplace.
“Tattoos are becoming more acceptable than they probably were 20 years ago, but are not overall acceptable by all employers. It is not necessarily more acceptable based on industry but is actually based on employer preference,” Shouse said. “Although tattoos do not reflect skills, sometimes employers make assumptions about people with tattoos. They may not consciously discriminate based on a tattoo, but subconsciously could have an aversion to your tattoo and therefore your interview.”
She said she has hired student with tattoos, but if the ink is visible, the content would certainly play a factor in the decision to hire.
Shouse recommends careful consideration to those who may be thinking about getting a tattoo.
“Ask your current supervisor if it will affect your position, and ask someone in a position you aspire to (attain) how it could affect your job search process.”
If you take the plunge and decide to get inked, don’t do yourself the disservice of mentioning it in an interview.
“If the employer has an issue or tattoo policy they will bring it up and discuss it with you,” Shouse said.
Like so many societal movements in the 21st century, the tattoo culture stands on a generational and ideological gap between traditional and contemporary standards.
