I have several Tattoos, some on my forearms. I asked this question in the carreer section and everyone told me to cover them up but some were against tattoos altogether (even called me childish and told me to grow up) so I don't trust them. What do fellow inkers think?
I work in a finacial office in sales. I am a top producer every month. My boss has asked me in the past to wear long sleeves to cover my tattoos (none of them are vulgar) on several occasions. Should I be a "good boy" and stop bucking him and just cover them up at work?
2007-03-23 08:03:21 · 18 answers · asked by Big D 2 in Beauty & Style ➔ Skin & Body ➔ Tattoos
Yes, I was asked to cover mine up as well because of the affect some might take on my tattoos, even though not a single one even comes close to being vulgar. I cover them up sometimes, it doesnt bother him as long as I cover them up atleast sometimes, it shows an effort on his best wishes. And yes it is bullshit that you, I and anyone else is asked to cover up non vulgar tattoos just because of what society might think. But at the same time, he is your boss, and if you dont comply, he will find a reason to fire you or show you a lesson that involves you learning to listen to what he tells you to do.
Its called reverse discrimination.
2007-03-23 15:13:47 · answer #1 · answered by David K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wonder if this situation is different for men and women. I have never had a problem with tattoos in the workplace. If I wear a V-neck top with my hair up, a skirt and some sandals, I would be showing 5 tattoos. This is a common office outfit for me (weather permitting) and never has anyone said a word to me about it. I would cover them up only if it was a serious issue. Are there physical customers where you are, or just employees? Who has the issue with the tattoos. Before I changed anything I would want to know why I had to. I would think that this is a form of discrimination.
2007-03-23 15:40:53 · answer #2 · answered by natalie d 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My husband is a nurse and has full sleeves on both arms. I don't think anyone at the hospital he works at has asked him to were long sleeves to cover his tattoos, but he does on his own. Tattoos are personal, to him at least, and he does not always have to show them. At work, the times did not cover his arms people always asked a million questions (did they hurt?, ect) and he got tired of his tattoos being the main focal point of their conversations, so he covered them up. Also, although we do not agree with this, but tattoos, still to this day in 2007, make some people (usually narrow-minded) uncomfortable, or uneasy. The automatically judge you for the fact that you have tattoos, rather than your performance. Some places now are adding tattoo clauses into the dress code because of people that are to stubborn to cover them up on their own or when asked. You might hope that that does not happen at your job, then you will not have a choice. When it comes down to it work is work and you should do ask asked in the work place. It is not that big of a compromise.
2007-03-23 15:47:27 · answer #3 · answered by ♥RickySrsWife♥ 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If it's chilly/cold wear long sleeves like everyone else. If it's warm/hot wear short sleeves like everybody else. (what do others in the office wear?)
I think, as long as the tats are not vulgar or offensive, and you are respectable and doing a good job (sounds like you are), and if it can be seen that you make an effort to dress up for work--
your boss has no right to tell you what to wear.
Do you know for a fact hi asked you to wear long sleeves because of the tattoos? Ask him next time, if that's why he said that. (put him on the spot)
(you could always ask him why he doesn't wear a sack over his head to cover his ugly face. ha ha just kidding)
Hope this helps
2007-03-23 15:12:56 · answer #4 · answered by DaisyJo 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
While I am proud of my tattoos and love body mods, if my employer asked me to keep them covered, I would do as he or she asked.
Top producing employee or not, you have to understand the world is still very torn about feelings on tattoos and the last thing you should be doing is making any customer feel uncomfortable. You also need to see it that you represent the company and a bad image (as seen by some people) could mean a bad company. I don't feel that way, I'm very open about people with mods and tattoo and I'm not bugged by it, but there are people who are.
I don't think its worth the argument because the by not following your bosses request it does seem childish and disrespectful, no offense. And one day he could get annoyed to a point where you get in trouble for it.
2007-03-23 15:38:04 · answer #5 · answered by 4eyed zombie 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If you want to wear a long sleeve because your boss says, and you think it may effect your job, do it, and you can roll them up when he's not around I geuss. I have tattoos also, but when you are in a profession that you enjoy, you have to please others , and unfortunately others still frown on tattoos in the work place. I would bite the bullet and just cover them at work to prove that you have respect for their narrow minded way of thinking. We all have to do things we don't like when we are in the workplace. The tattos will always be there, so just ask yourself if you like your work enough to conform to this policy, I am assuming it's a policy anyway.
2007-03-23 15:17:51 · answer #6 · answered by doc 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why not sit down with him and talk to him about it again. I can see that long sleeves in the summer would be uncomfortable. Maybe he can understand that too. Point out your sales record, and tell him that you will respect his descision. Do you deal with clients face to face? Maybe you could cover them when your in meetings with clients (wear a suit jacket), but not have to worry about it when you're doing work on your own.
That said, some of my tats are visible when I work (both as a piercer and in health care). Obviously they don't matter when I'm at my piercing job. When I'm at the health care job, I get a lot of questions, but no one seems to mind all that much (but when you drive an ambulance, the people usually have other things to worry about than what I look like)
2007-03-23 17:12:12 · answer #7 · answered by nymphetamine1978 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In today's professional atmosphere, it's still not OK to show tattoos. In some more "alternative" work places, it's becoming acceptable, but financial sales is still one of the more conservative. It's not so much the content of your ink, but the fact that any ink at all has a negative social connotation (bikers, convicts, loose women...) that could sully YOUR professional image, thus impeding your ability to represent your company in a professional manner. So I would advise you to be a "good boy" or find another position in which your can let your ink show. It sucks, yes (I had a similar problem at an office I used to work at, but ended up leaving anyways), because your performance should be valued more than your appearance, but that's just not how the world works today.
2007-03-23 16:56:11 · answer #8 · answered by aas_627 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If your employer has asked you to cover them, then yes, I think you should, or look for another job where they are more accepted.
I personally have no qualms with tattoos in the workplace. I have a butterfly on my ankle, and I am lucky, I can wear skirts, and they don't seem to have a problem with it. I also have a nose piercing.
2007-03-23 16:17:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The policy at my workplace is that if they are seen as offensive they must be covered. Mine are not, so I've never had a problem with them. If a customer would complain about one, I would have to cover it. If you like your job and are doing well, then I would probably just suck it up and cover them while on the job. Not that I think ink should be covered, but sometimes, unfortuneately, we have to "conform" to at least our bosses. Breaktime or lunch time.....ROLL UP THE SLEEVES !! ;-)
2007-03-23 15:30:35 · answer #10 · answered by gshell 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋