-Adam Pryor, TigerTV Reporter
Tattoos and piercings used to be thought of as signals of rebellion and cultural angst, serving as forms of expression during a counterculture movement. Though some believe that these forms of personal expression have shed their negative images and are becoming more and more acceptable, many employers still feel there is a certain time and place when tattoos and piercings are ok, and the workplace may not be one of them.
When asked whether or not body art was acceptable in the workplace, the majority of recruiters said it depended on the company and the work being done by an employee.
Robert Linder, director for the executive sales development program at Carousel Industries, represents a sales company where the employees serve as the face of the business. Linder said when an employee represents a company to clients, it is important that he or she has a certain image, which includes covering up visible tattoos and removing visible body piercings.
“I don’t care what you do in your personal life, but in the office you should look professional,” Linder explained.
Dana Ourso, recruiter for The Shaw Group Inc., agreed with Linder’s sentiments.
“We don’t not hire because of [tattoos or piercings], but at our company, they are not desirable,” Ourso said. “It just does not convey a professional image.”
Students with tattoos and piercings should be advised to research the company with whom they are interviewing and get a feel for the company’s image so they can make an educated decision as to whether or not to hide body art.
Becca LeBrun, communication studies senior, was working at an animal hospital when she got her lip pierced.
“My boss was pretty upset with me mainly because I was the receptionist at the hospital, but she eventually was fine with it,” LeBrun said. She has since removed her facial piercing.
“It was kind of a phase,” said LeBrun. “Since I am about to graduate, I know that I will be looking for a job soon, and I want to be taken seriously when I go into an interview. I plan on working in the corporate sector, so I just figured it was for the best.”
Olga Kourilova, public relations junior, is a bartender at Ralph & Kacoo’s and her tragus is pierced. Kourilova does not feel the same pressure to conceal her piercing because of her line of work.
“Most restaurants do not let you have facial piercings, but they are pretty lenient with ear piercings as long as it’s not too flashy. I bar tend, so they are a little more laid back,” Kourilova said.
Kourilova is aware of the stigma surrounding body art, and said she would take out her piercing or style her hair so it covers it before interviewing for a job.
Though the visible tattoo and piercing taboo may be slowly decreasing in intensity, it is still the student’s choice as to whether or not to get a piercing or tattoo. Students should consider the industry they are working in and make a decision based on that.
