FabSwingers.com forum: Work and visible tattoos.

By *igerstyle2k2 OP Man
over a year ago

Oxfordshire

Hi people, forum newbie here.

Just something I was thinking of today.

My mind went back to some previous job interviews I've had where they've asked me if I had any visible tattoos, it got me thinking if anyone has been asked to cover them or anything like that?

Have you ever had any nasty comments about them or any compliments about them while at work?

A friend has one on the back of her neck and she was asked to always wear her hair down to cover it up while she worked. I think she did for a week or so then just did what she felt like. No one seemed to care which was pretty cool.

I don't have any myself but I think they look fab!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have both sleeves done and its unusual in my line of work. I've had nothing but compliments though.

Tattoos are far more socially acceptable these days, you're no longer viewed as a criminal or sailor if you have them.

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By *ursevampsWoman
over a year ago

bucks

i was told as long as they were not offensive they didnt mind buti hve loads of comliments on my tatts actually from the older generation wihshing they had them when thy were youger etc some love them ask me weher ei got them what they mean etc they are so apart of me now i love them wouldnt change them ever

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By *oxy_minxWoman
over a year ago

Scotland - Aberdeen

Some professions do still require them to be covered, especially if you are customer facing I'm afraid, I only have two and mine are covered unless I wish for them to be seen

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have to keep tattoos covered at all times and no short sleeve shirts even in summer, condition of my employment

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

They can cause issues at interview if they are visible on hands, face or neck.

We have clients who ask that if candidates have tattoos, that we only put forward to them those that have ink that can be covered by a long sleeve shirt.

I have them but keep them covered in a professional environment.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

makes me wonder about this - as i have tattoos - not very obvious but if a wear vest top you can see one and i have one on my forearm - im a support worker but looking to move into the hospital soon - some say have to cover them up some dont - now as for being offensive - some people may get more upset about a bad birthmark or scarring - i wouldnt dream of asking anybody to cover that up i know its not quite the same thing as ink is your own personal choice - but if they say to cover them up cos they upset or offend seems a bit wrong to me -

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By *igerstyle2k2 OP Man
over a year ago

Oxfordshire

I was wondering how someone would cover a tattoo on a wrist (say the inside wrist). Maybe a big watch?

It's a shame not everyone can show them off (if they want to that is) at work.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Mine are not visible in normal office attire. I have one that can be seen when I wear a short sleeved shirt, but I have never had anything but compliments about it.

That said, I would never go to an interview with it visible as tattoos do seem to have a marmite effect

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By *igerstyle2k2 OP Man
over a year ago

Oxfordshire

When asked in an interview would you say you have tattoos or just deny it and hope you're never asked to wear a t-shirt to the office?

I guess it would depend on who was interviewing you.

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By *atisfy janeWoman
over a year ago

Torquay

When I had my retail outlet I had a rule, no visible tattoos or facial piercings when working at the front counter.

I gave a young girl a break by giving her the first job she had managed to get in over 18 months, she repaid me after a few weeks by going out and getting a lower forearm tattoo that extended down over her wrist onto her hand....just days after being told it would not be acceptable.

Madness

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"makes me wonder about this - as i have tattoos - not very obvious but if a wear vest top you can see one and i have one on my forearm - im a support worker but looking to move into the hospital soon - some say have to cover them up some dont - now as for being offensive - some people may get more upset about a bad birthmark or scarring - i wouldnt dream of asking anybody to cover that up i know its not quite the same thing as ink is your own personal choice - but if they say to cover them up cos they upset or offend seems a bit wrong to me - "

I just tried to reply privately to you regarding the hospital issue.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"When asked in an interview would you say you have tattoos or just deny it and hope you're never asked to wear a t-shirt to the office?

I guess it would depend on who was interviewing you."

I would say I had them

I've interviewed enough people over the years to spot when someone is bullshitting me or being less than honest.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

and you cant cos youre a single male - -

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Im my old job i wasnt allowed to have any on show, in the job im in now people dont seem to care if you have them or not, i get a few comments but you get that everywhere, good and bad

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By *igerstyle2k2 OP Man
over a year ago

Oxfordshire

"When I had my retail outlet I had a rule, no visible tattoos or facial piercings when working at the front counter.

Madness"

Customer facing retail does have it's set of rules doesn't it. Personally I wouldn't mind if the person who was serving me had tattoos but each to their own.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"and you cant cos youre a single male - -

Lol, bingo.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

cant you tell me here baubles

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By *atisfy janeWoman
over a year ago

Torquay

"When I had my retail outlet I had a rule, no visible tattoos or facial piercings when working at the front counter.

Madness

Customer facing retail does have it's set of rules doesn't it. Personally I wouldn't mind if the person who was serving me had tattoos but each to their own."

It's not uncommon in food retail when the food stuffs are being hand picked in front of customers, it's a sad fact that many customers do indeed find it offensive and as such nothing can be allowed to get in the way of making the sale.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have never had any bad reactions from people although i have had many compliments from people everyone i know love them

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By *igerstyle2k2 OP Man
over a year ago

Oxfordshire

I find tattoos very interesting, like a story on someone's body.

It makes me wonder what other tattoos they have (or where they have them!).

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"cant you tell me here baubles "

I can.

I was going to say that moving into a hospital environment should be fine. I know Leicestershire health authority is pretty accepting of tattoos and piercings (as long as they're not too extreme).

You would have to check with your own local

Authority though to find their stance, but I doubt you'll run into too many issues.

Good luck.

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

I got a new one on the inside of my wrist and no one at work has noticed...

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

My son is in the caring profession and wears a short sleeved top, he has one on his neck and one on each underside of his arms. The big one on his leg is covered

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By *igerstyle2k2 OP Man
over a year ago

Oxfordshire

"I got a new one on the inside of my wrist and no one at work has noticed...

Your wrist tattoo looks great!

And about people not noticing, when I used to work in retail I would wear a Sweatband on my wrist to see if anyone would notice (I used to have to wear a shirt and tie), not a single person noticed.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"cant you tell me here baubles

I can.

I was going to say that moving into a hospital environment should be fine. I know Leicestershire health authority is pretty accepting of tattoos and piercings (as long as they're not too extreme).

You would have to check with your own local

Authority though to find their stance, but I doubt you'll run into too many issues.

Good luck."

thanks - now piercings i can understand , as i can jewellery cos of germs and cross contamination etc - mind you we glove up for most things now and i guess in hospital its always -

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By *igerstyle2k2 OP Man
over a year ago

Oxfordshire

Once a tattoo is fully healed I can't see any problem in them.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I've been lucky with working as a store detective for so many years so I've been able to show any of my tattoos

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I ( Paul) have my right arm down to wrist and have had nothing but compliments from all walks of life ( it has my daughters names written and a rose and angel) with alot asking where I got them and who done them, It does seem to be alot more socially acceptable today then whe I got my first ink done twenty years ago

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have to cover all mine, trust me It's a git in the summer as I have them on my neck and lower arms.

A friend I used to work with had one on his neck too a bit bigger and harder to cover, no one ever said anything about it, after working at the company for two months one of the CEOs saw it and said it needed to be covered, so everyday he would have to cover it with a big blue plaster. All he got for two weeks was "oh what have you don't to your neck".

If the CEO didn't say anything no one would have paid it any attention.

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By *igerstyle2k2 OP Man
over a year ago

Oxfordshire

Tattoos are far more acceptable now then they used to be.

Do you think shows like 'Miami Ink' and so on have helped peoples perceptions?

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By *atisfy janeWoman
over a year ago

Torquay

"Tattoos are far more acceptable now then they used to be.

Do you think shows like 'Miami Ink' and so on have helped peoples perceptions?"

The problem probably lies with a generation thing....older customers are the ones that I was personally concerned with, and we had LOADS of older customers in my shops.

Younger customers were far less likely to take much notice.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Tattoos are far more acceptable now then they used to be.

Do you think shows like 'Miami Ink' and so on have helped peoples perceptions?"

Miami Ink in my opinion has affected the industry in a less than positive way.

It has led to a generation of followers that think they can walk in and get a full sleeve in an hour and whilst it has highlighted just how great some tattoos can be, to a degree it does not respect the history of tattoos or body art.

It provides a skewed and sterilised image of the industry whilst at the same time attracting the masses to have tattoos that are generic and 'for the sake of it' as opposed to having any meaning to the wearer or conceptual thought on the wearers part.

It has also generated a proliferation in tattoo studios that thrive purely on 1 or 2 people being able to handle a tattoo gun as opposed to them having any artistic flair or talent.

In other words, the quality and artwork that we see on such programmes rarely translates onto the streets of the UK for the majority.

There will always be genuinely talented tattoo artists out there, but as a result of that programme we now face a generation of pretenders.

Some will develop into genuinely talented people. Others will take the money and run.

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By *ursevampsWoman
over a year ago

bucks

i have both myine on my inside wrist i work in hospital adn have never been asked to cover them asked my boss if i was allowed she said as long as not offensice then no issue

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By *igerstyle2k2 OP Man
over a year ago

Oxfordshire

When I sprained my wrist the nurse that examined it in the hospital had a wrist tattoo that went all around her wrist. It was a script written in Elvish, it looked great!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Thankfully no problems in my line of work as a chef. Like they said, a lot more acceptable these days x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Thankfully no problems in my line of work as a chef. Like they said, a lot more acceptable these days x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Thankfully no problems in my line of work as a chef. Like they said, a lot more acceptable these days x"

Have one on my wrist, I work in a primary school, keep expecting new head to say something... But so far so good.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Thankfully no problems in my line of work as a chef. Like they said, a lot more acceptable these days x

Have one on my wrist, I work in a primary school, keep expecting new head to say something... But so far so good."

And he shouldn't do.. Doesn't affect your ability to teach right?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have wrist tattoo's that are usually visible. The rest I can cover up depending on what I wear.

I've had funny looks from people, no doubt they are making judgements about me.

I've worked at the same place for a while so luckily had no issues there but if I went for a job interview I'd cover them up.

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By *amschwingerzCouple
over a year ago

West

OK if you work in a scrap yard or tyre fitters though..

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Im fine because working with tattoos is my job.. Oh yeah i own my business too

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By *enithWoman
over a year ago

closer than you think

I have one on my wrist and another over the back of my hand that are visible at work.

No problems and people often comment on how nice they are

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

No because I've signed a contract agreeing to abide by all policies and procedures, one of which is the uniform policy which has a section covering tattoos and piercings.

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

We are supposed to cover our tattoos up even though we are not client or customer facing but to be honest no one ever says anything so I don't bother anymore

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By *edangel_2013Woman
over a year ago

southend

I've always worked in customer facing roles. I have loads of tattoos, but none are visible.

I have facial piercings though, and previously was allowed to wear them. I work in a restaurant now, so with food hygiene regulations I have to take them out.

Although I did have a run in with management last week, who said I had to take them out whilst serving food because of food hygiene, but allowed a chef to keep his in, whilst preparing food.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

One of my staff has a tattoo around her wrist and one behind her ear. Both are visible, but not offensive. It is in the food line, and a customer facing job. What matters to me is her quailty of work, which is excellent, rather than her tattoos. Id rather have her with her tattoos, than someone that didnt give a toss with no tattoos any day of the week.

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By *mileyBWoman
over a year ago

Northwood

Different companies have different policies on it which I think is ridiculous.

It's 2012 and tattoos are no longer part of an 'alternative lifestyle' they're fashion, body enhancement and can be very attractive. They no longer shock. Fair enough if you have any kind of undesirable ideaology or politics emblazoned accross your forehead such as white supremecy crap and anything like that it's ceratainly undesirable but not because it's a tattoo it's because they're a fuckwit anyway and you wouldn't employ them on those grounds.

Tesco have an anti visible tattoo and peircing policy which they brought in over the past couple of years and are trying to enforce it with exhisting employees ... well hello!! C'est tres permanenete ... too late buddy.

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By *iss_tressWoman
over a year ago

London

It may seem odd, but if my builder has tattoos I couldn't give a monkies. However, if I went to see my doctor and he had tattoos and piercings I wouldn't be impressed.

My son-in-law is ex navy and marine, I don't mind his tattoos, my daughter on the other hand...

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By *mileyBWoman
over a year ago

Northwood

"It may seem odd, but if my builder has tattoos I couldn't give a monkies. However, if I went to see my doctor and he had tattoos and piercings I wouldn't be impressed.

My son-in-law is ex navy and marine, I don't mind his tattoos, my daughter on the other hand..."

Do Tattoos make you less able to study, succeed, continue to learn, think, and be compassionate?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'm fairly sure that I've read somewhere that people discriminating against individuals with tattoos are legally akin to those discriminating against individuals with winestains or other cosmetic skin issues like the melanin-related condition that causes random pigmentation in the skin.

Wolf

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By *edangel_2013Woman
over a year ago

southend

"I'm fairly sure that I've read somewhere that people discriminating against individuals with tattoos are legally akin to those discriminating against individuals with winestains or other cosmetic skin issues like the melanin-related condition that causes random pigmentation in the skin.

Wolf

Although this would be fantastic, it isn't true. Although a good lawyer willing to take on a case could probably change that. Tattoo's are a choice, skin conditions are not, so the discrimination is completely different, and not one that is currently legislated for.

P.S. This may have recently changed, but when I spoke to a lawyer about it last year, this was the case.

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By *opsy RogersWoman
over a year ago

London

"cant you tell me here baubles

I can.

I was going to say that moving into a hospital environment should be fine. I know Leicestershire health authority is pretty accepting of tattoos and piercings (as long as they're not too extreme).

You would have to check with your own local

Authority though to find their stance, but I doubt you'll run into too many issues.

Good luck."

The trust in which I work has a strict uniform policy. No piercings other than studs in ears or those that have religious significance. The ink issue is not so clear. Dare I say 'ooman rights'?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Tattoos are still frowned upon in society in general although the last few years you see more and more. I can see the point of dress code, tattoos covered etc but you cannot discriminate against a person with tattoos in employment cases etc. I'm a builder and have full sleeve tattoos. I keep them covered when going to meet clients as there is still a stigmata on tattoos. Once contract is signed I don't bother covering them although some jobs attitude towards me has changed once clients see my tattoos. Sad but true. The society we live in I'm afraid

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By *eakcoupleCouple
over a year ago

peak district

A (vanilla) female friend of ours worked in a bank and was told she wasn't allowed to have tattoos that were visible to the public. She was very keen on tats and really wanted one arm fully covered, and was a bit disappointed.

We are naturists, and some naturist places really frown on tattoos and piercings. British Naturism, one of the UK groups, is particularly puritanical about them (and sex too).

Neither of us had tats and piercings when younger but we have a few now. R's sons and their girlfriends all have tats, some very colourful and elaborate (and pricey!).

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'm not sure how employers stand on the tattoo stance if they haven't written it in their contracts and policies and procedures.

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