I have several tattoo's on my arms (and other locations) and work in a professional financial office, I am in sales. My boss has asked me on several occasions to wear long sleeve shirts to cover them even though I am a top producer. What gives?
2007-03-23 05:47:21 · 16 answers · asked by Big D 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
This forum is for open mided people, vincent g. Go back to your closet and come out when you have something important to say.
thanks for all the good advice everyone else.
2007-03-23 08:13:46 · update #1
Cover them up.
I have tatto's as well and I am in sales. Luckily, most of my tattoo's are able to be covered, with the exception of the one on my ankle.
It's all about perception and who you are selling to. Customer's tend to buy who "you" are and if they are offended by your tat's, or have a preconcieved opinion about who you are because you have them, then you potential have lost a sale.
It doesn't matter if you're a top producer or not...it's all about the presentation and appearance. So suck it up, cover it up and make those sales!
2007-03-23 06:03:47 · answer #1 · answered by ohio_ninja_cows 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your tattoos mean that you are stereotyped by other people. However much you do not match the stereotype and however unfair this seems, it cannot be helped. It is human nature to stereotype others. People meeting you for the first time will form certain ideas about you based on your appearance. As a sales representative you are literally representing your company; your tattoos are obviously not part of the image your company wishes to present to clients. Tattoos can make the wearer look rough, lower class, dirty or weird and 'alternative'. They are obvioulsy the opposite to a conservative, professional business image. That's just the way it is. Cover them up or get work in a more artistic field/environment.
2007-03-23 12:56:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most office environments have a dress code which generally includes piercings and tattoos. I have actually had to remove piercings in the past for jobs that weren't even what I considered professional. Unfortunately you have to follow dress codes when you work anywhere. I would just suck it up and do what your boss tell you to do. Cover them up while at work and wear what you want to wear when you are on your own time...
2007-03-23 12:56:27 · answer #3 · answered by Cute But Evil 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even though it infringes on your freedom of speech, you should cover them up, it is probably workplace policy. I work in a hospital and we have policies such as these in affect, becasue a hospital is customer based and so is sales. Because of this, it is out of respect for the customer that you cover them up, some of your current customers may have a problem with them, but will not say anything to you about them because they are not comfortable. So I would just cover them up from 9 to 5 and be free with your bad self the rest of the time:)
2007-03-23 12:54:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have nothing against tatoos. But especially cause you are in sales, don't give anyone a reason not to do business with you. regardless of our prefferences, there are still people that will stereotype you as a non-business person if they are seen. you should keep them covered. You very well may be good at what you do and are very professional. the professional thing to do is cover them, unless you are selling tatoos, of corse.
2007-03-23 12:54:05 · answer #5 · answered by D'Mundo 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Definitely cover them up.
Tattoos aren't supposed to be visible in a professional office environment. It sucks, but it's not worth losing a job over.
On a side note: I know someone on ICQ who uses the nickname big D.... he does his own internet radio show & he's also involved with a gaming club called OMF..... would you happen to be the same person?
2007-03-23 12:51:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some bosses have a set view on what makes a professional appearance... thankfully others don't, as I have tattoos and hate wearing long sleeves in the summer.
2007-03-23 12:49:58 · answer #7 · answered by no_fool 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's simple really. People are judgemental. Although you are a top producer, if you walk into a corporate office with visible tattoos, automatically you are catogorized as a drug dealer, gang-banger or an ex con. I struggle between my desire for body art, and the desire to be accepted as an equal by my coworkers.
2007-03-23 12:57:55 · answer #8 · answered by berkeleybohemian 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You represent the organization. Your own personal choices have no impact on what you believe is right or wrong.
Cover them up.
It is the right thing to do.
2007-03-23 13:07:42 · answer #9 · answered by T W 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
people think tattoos look unprofessional. That has been my only reason for not getting them on my forearms, because of whatever reasoning people have. I personally think that they hired you with them and your top producing, it shouldn't be that big of a deal.
2007-03-23 12:50:59 · answer #10 · answered by paris230425 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋