Will your tattoo affect your chances of a workplace promotion?

Jackson, a talented young man who was completing a three-month internship with Marketing Eye, asked the question. He then followed it with another.

“What do you think of tattoos?”

I had to think about it.

Personally, not much.

I do not have a tattoo myself, but many people do. Tattoos do not offend me, and I do not think having one should affect my decision to hire someone, promote them or take them seriously.

However, I know this is not the case in every organisation.

In fact, a tattoo can still influence how somebody is perceived in the workplace, even when it has nothing to do with their ability, intelligence, work ethic or character.

That may not be fair, but pretending it does not happen would be naïve.

Tattoos have become much more accepted

When I first wrote this blog, tattoos were still viewed by many people as a sign of rebellion, poor judgement or a particular lifestyle.

That has changed significantly.

Today, tattoos are common across almost every age group, profession and social background. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, executives, chefs, athletes, celebrities, entrepreneurs and senior business leaders may all have tattoos.

For many people, a tattoo represents a personal experience, a family member, a cultural tradition, a belief, a memory or simply an artistic choice.

It is no longer accurate to assume that a tattoo tells you very much about a person.

A small tattoo on someone’s wrist may represent the birth of a child. A sleeve may reflect a lifelong interest in art. A discreet tattoo may be a private reminder of an important moment.

The tattoo itself does not tell you whether someone will be reliable, capable or professional.

Their behaviour does.

Even so, professional workplaces are made up of people with different expectations and personal biases. Some may see tattoos as creative and individual. Others may see them as distracting or unsuitable for the organisation.

The question is whether those opinions should influence a person’s chances of employment or promotion.

Will a tattoo affect your chances of getting a job?

The honest answer is that it depends on where you work, what role you are applying for and where the tattoo is located.

A tattoo is more likely to be accepted in a creative industry, hospitality, fashion, music, technology or media than in a conservative professional environment.

That does not mean every creative organisation will welcome visible tattoos, or that every bank, law firm or accounting practice will object to them. Workplaces are changing, and many companies are becoming more focused on capability, conduct and cultural contribution than appearance.

However, some employers still have appearance policies.

These may apply to visible tattoos, offensive images, tattoos on the face or neck, or designs that could be considered discriminatory, violent, political or sexually explicit.

The issue is often not whether the person has a tattoo. It is whether the tattoo could reasonably affect customers, colleagues, safety or the public reputation of the organisation.

A tattoo that is easily covered by business clothing may never become an issue. A tattoo across the face is more difficult to conceal and may create different considerations, particularly for roles involving public presentation, broadcasting, luxury retail or strict brand standards.

Customer-facing roles can be different

Some roles involve representing a company in front of customers every day.

Think about airline staff, front-desk receptionists, luxury retail consultants, television presenters, models, sales professionals, hotel employees and people working in highly regulated industries.

In these positions, appearance may form part of the company’s customer experience.

That does not automatically justify treating someone unfairly. It does mean the employer may have specific standards that need to be understood before accepting the role.

A company may require tattoos to be covered while an employee is on duty. Another may allow visible tattoos but prohibit particular images. Some may have no policy at all.

The important thing is that the rules should be clear, consistently applied and relevant to the job.

An employer should not tell one employee to cover a tattoo while allowing another employee with a similar tattoo to display theirs simply because they prefer one person.

The location of the tattoo matters

Not all tattoos create the same workplace considerations.

A tattoo on the upper arm, back, thigh or torso can usually be covered easily. A tattoo on the hands, fingers, neck or face is much more difficult to conceal.

That is why people considering their first tattoo should think carefully about placement.

Your interests, career and personal style may change. A tattoo that feels perfect at 21 may not feel quite as relevant at 35. You may move from a creative role into executive leadership, start your own company, attend formal client meetings or work in a profession with more conservative expectations.

There is nothing wrong with changing direction. However, a tattoo is generally more permanent than a hairstyle, an outfit or a social media profile picture.

My advice is to think about it carefully.

If you really want a tattoo, consider whether it can be covered if a future employer or client has a different expectation. Avoid choosing a highly visible location until you understand how it may affect your career options.

If you are a rock star, go for gold. Have as many tattoos as you want. If you want to work in television, luxury hospitality, corporate banking or a highly traditional professional environment, you may want to think a little longer.

Can a tattoo affect promotion?

Promotion decisions should be based on performance, leadership, judgement, capability and results.

A tattoo should not determine whether somebody is qualified to take on greater responsibility.

However, promotion often involves more visibility. A person moving into senior leadership may represent the company at conferences, client meetings, board presentations, media interviews and industry events.

This is where personal presentation can become part of the discussion.

Again, the issue should not be whether the person has a tattoo. It should be whether the tattoo is inconsistent with a clearly stated and legitimate brand or workplace requirement.

A good employer will judge the person’s work first. They will consider whether the individual leads well, communicates effectively, earns trust and creates results.

A poor employer may make assumptions based on appearance.

Unfortunately, people do make assumptions. That is why understanding your personal brand matters.

Your personal brand includes how you present yourself

Personal branding is not about pretending to be somebody you are not.

It is about understanding how other people may perceive you and deciding whether that perception supports the opportunities you want.

Your personal brand includes your communication, behaviour, reliability, appearance, social media, work quality and the way you treat people.

A tattoo may be one small part of that picture, but it can still influence somebody’s first impression.

That influence may be unfair. It may be based on an outdated stereotype. It may have nothing to do with who you really are.

But first impressions still happen.

If you are applying for a job and your tattoo is visible, make sure everything else about your presentation communicates professionalism. Arrive prepared. Understand the company. Speak clearly. Demonstrate your capability. Be thoughtful, confident and respectful.

Do not allow a tattoo to become the most memorable thing about you.

Employers need to update their thinking too

The responsibility does not sit entirely with employees.

Employers also need to examine their assumptions.

If a business automatically rejects candidates because they have tattoos, it may be excluding talented people for no valid business reason.

The workplace has changed. Diversity is not limited to age, gender, ethnicity or background. It also includes personal expression and different ways of presenting oneself.

A tattoo does not automatically indicate a lack of professionalism. In the same way, a formal suit does not automatically indicate competence.

Some of the most unreliable people I have met have looked perfectly polished. Some of the most dedicated and capable people I have worked with have looked unconventional.

The real test is how someone performs.

Employers should ask whether a tattoo affects safety, customer requirements, hygiene, brand standards or the employee’s ability to perform the job. If the answer is no, then the organisation should be cautious about allowing personal bias to influence the decision.

Policies should also be clear. Candidates should not discover after accepting a job that they are expected to cover a tattoo that was visible during the interview.

Transparency protects both sides.

What about offensive tattoos?

This is where the situation changes.

Tattoos that contain racist, sexist, abusive, extremist or sexually explicit imagery may reasonably affect someone’s suitability for a role.

The concern is not personal expression alone. It is the message being communicated to colleagues, customers and the community.

An employer may also need to act if a tattoo creates a hostile environment for another employee or conflicts with workplace safety.

There is a difference between a floral sleeve, a family tribute or an abstract design and imagery that directly insults or threatens other people.

Common sense should apply.

What should you do if you are considering a tattoo?

Before getting a tattoo, think about the following:

• Is the design meaningful to you or simply an impulse?

• Would you be comfortable explaining it to a client or employer?

• Can it be covered by ordinary work clothing?

• Are you comfortable having it for the rest of your life?

• Could it affect the industries or roles you may want to enter?

• Is the tattoo artist reputable and appropriately licensed?

• Could the design be misunderstood by someone who does not know you?

Do not make a permanent decision based on a temporary emotion.

Also, do not get a tattoo simply to prove that you are independent or different. True independence includes making a thoughtful decision and accepting the consequences of it.

What do I think of tattoos?

I do not have one, but I am not against them.

If somebody walks into a Marketing Eye interview with tattoos, I will be more interested in their ideas, work ethic, attitude and ability to contribute than the artwork on their skin.

The same would apply at Marketing Eye in Atlanta, Dallas, Brisbane or anywhere else we operate.

I would want to know whether they understand marketing, whether they can communicate, whether they are curious, whether they take responsibility and whether they can do excellent work.

A tattoo does not answer those questions.

However, I would still advise young people to think carefully about visible tattoos. The world is becoming more accepting, but bias has not disappeared. Some employers are progressive, while others are still influenced by old expectations.

Know your personal brand. Understand how you want people to perceive you. Make choices that support the life and career you want to build.

And remember, if you have a tattoo, it should never be more interesting than the person wearing it.

Note: The tattoo shown in the original article belonged to Jackson, who proudly displayed it during his internship with Marketing Eye.