Do Tattoos Affect Employability?

Millennials are known to be more open-minded and tend to embrace self-expression. Four million out of 10 millennials have tattoos. Among those that do have tattoos, about half have two to five. A study by Pew Research Center found older employers were less tolerant towards tattoos.

So how does this affect the millennial generation in the workplace?

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Pew Research Center also concluded about 63 percent of people ages 60 and older were not in favor of tattoos in the workplace, while only 22 percent of people ages 18-29 said they are against it.

As more people are getting body art it seems tattoos are becoming more acceptable. The Student Edge concluded that having tattoos doesn’t necessarily disqualify anyone from a job. However, for those with tattoos, it is recommended to cover them up in order to put their best foot forward for potential employment.

The Student Edge also reported that there are certain careers where being self-expressive is acceptable in the workplace. Other employers might find tattoos intimidating and feel a person with tattoos may contribute negatively to their company.

Seventy percent of millennials with tattoos say they are in a place where they are hidden. The Minstrel reported that tattoos should be taken into account for any job that may consider tattoos a deal breaker. The Minstrel suggests considering how serious the job is and the type of dress for the particular job. Be careful flashing tattoos around in a professional environment. What some consider artistic and creative others may not.

Tattoos are a personal choice but can ultimately affect employability depending on who does the hiring. Work ethic does not correlate to tattoos, but tattoos seem to take on a negative connotation when in a professional workspace.

Minstrel showed that 37 percent of human resource managers say tattoos are on the top three list of things preventing someone from getting hired. There is still the possibility that tattoos could affect someone getting a job but with the millennial generation at large, it is likely the acceptance of tattoos in the workplace will increase.