--- title: "Are Tattoos Becoming Less Taboo at Work?" id: "43914" type: "post" slug: "are-tattoos-becoming-less-taboo-at-work" published_at: "2018-08-27T22:35:54+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T16:02:09+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/08/27/are-tattoos-becoming-less-taboo-at-work/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/08/27/are-tattoos-becoming-less-taboo-at-work.md" excerpt: "One recent study on the issue suggests that employees are facing less trouble finding a good job with a visible tattoo, but another suggests that some employer viewpoints remain old-school." taxonomy_category: - "Conscious Inclusion" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "professional image" - "tattoo acceptance" - "Workplace" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Director" - "Manager" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Are Tattoos Becoming Less Taboo at Work? For generations, conventional wisdom said that visible tattoos and professional work environments don’t mix. But the conventional wisdom may be changing. At least one recent study found that tattoos that can’t be hidden behind clothing are no longer a deterrent to finding a job. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Miami and University of Western Australia Business School and published in the journal *Human Relations*, revealed no statistically relevant differences between the salary and employment levels of workers with tattoos compared to those without them. “These results suggest that, contrary to popular opinion as well as research findings with hiring managers and customers, having a tattoo does not appear to be associated with disadvantage or discrimination in the labor market,” [the report states (opens in a new tab)](http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0018726718782597) . On the other hand, [a separate study (opens in a new tab)](https://journals.aom.org/doi/10.5465/AMBPP.2018.12589abstract) by researchers at Colorado State University and California State University San Marcos, published in the *Academy of Management Proceedings*, found that “extreme tattoos” are still a major deterrent for some employers. And although workers with more mild tattoos are likely to get hired, they are less likely to receive a competitive salary, according to the study. “Applicants with extreme tattoos were perceived as less competent and committed than applicants without body art,” the report’s abstract states. The two studies took different approaches: The *Proceedings* researchers used fake LinkedIn profiles and resumes to analyze potential bias, while those conducting the *Human Relations* study looked at salary and employment data. “Sometimes what people say is not what they do, and our results suggest that when it comes to what they do, they don’t discriminate,” the University of Miami’s Michael French, who led the *Human Relations* study, [told Quartz (opens in a new tab)](https://qz.com/work/1367954/are-tattooed-job-applicants-less-likely-to-be-hired/) . There are other signs that tattoos are becoming more accepted in workplaces. For example, Indiana University’s health system, the state’s largest, recently relaxed its employee policy on visible tattoos, citing a desire for “messaging authenticity.” “We want you to bring your whole self to work while maintaining a professional image,” IU Health Chief Nurse Executive Michelle Janney [explained to the Indianapolis Star (opens in a new tab)](https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/08/26/tattoos-workplace-largest-indiana-health-system-relaxes-policy/1040937002/) . “We knew that many of our caregivers had tattoos that they were hiding, and that just didn’t feel genuine to us. Actually what we’re saying is use good judgment and we trust you.” (KatarzynaBialasiewicz/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#professional image](https://associationsnow.com/tag/professional-image/) [#tattoo acceptance](https://associationsnow.com/tag/tattoo-acceptance/) [#Workplace](https://associationsnow.com/tag/workplace/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoMoving Neuroinclusion From Afterthought to Standard PracticeDecember 15, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/12/15/moving-neuroinclusion-from-afterthought-to-standard-practice/) - [VideoASAE DELP Reunion 2025 & Introduction of New ClassAugust 18, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/08/18/asae-delp-reunion-2025-introduction-of-new-class-2/) - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond Accessibility: Building Neuroinclusive Association CommunitiesMay 28, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/05/28/associations-now-presents-beyond-accessibility-building-neuroinclusive-association-communities/) - [VideoLeading the Way in Neuroinclusion with ASAE Research Foundation and MPIDecember 16, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/12/16/leading-the-way-in-neuroinclusion-with-asae-research-foundation-and-mpi/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2018%2F08%2F27%2Fare-tattoos-becoming-less-taboo-at-work%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !