Tattoos in the workplace—from person to person you may hear different reasons on why they should or shouldn't be allowed in the professional setting.
The facts:
1. 20% of adults age 18 and up have some sort of tattoo.
3. 58% of women have a tattoo.
4. An average of 45 million Americans have at least one tattoo.
5. 86% for athletes, 81% for IT technicians and 78% for chefs, to lower
majorities of 59% each for primary school teachers and judges, and even
58% for presidential candidates all have tattoos.
The facts just keep adding up. I see no reason why a tattoo should be an issue. Of course I don't believe vulgar tattoos should be displayed. Tattoos are a form of art, but in this case the canvas just happens to be someone's skin.
Now, with this that in mind we don't hide famous painting, artwork from a friend, or something we have created ourselves. We don't because it is something we are proud to share because it has meaning. A tattoo has meaning it is a way of self expression for those bearing them. In today's world it is not not uncommon to see someone with a tattoo; that does not make them any better or worse of a person than someone without the tattoo. Someone with a tattoo is still a capable person who chose to display their art.
Now clearly I'm vouching for the side of supporting tattoos in the work place
My First Tattoo
I got this the March of my freshman year. It is the semicolon. This in general symbolizes mental health awareness or the phrase "My story isn't over yet." This is a personal reminder to me that even on my worst days I can push on. Anxiety does not control me.
My Second Tattoo
There was for sure a size difference in this one and I had to do a lot of thinking about where I wanted it. For those who can't tell what it says, I had "wave after wave" put on my arm. This is another personal tattoo this one relating to my faith. Bethel Music wrote a song called "You Make Be Brave," and the chorus says:
"As Your love, in wave after wave
Crashes over me, crashes over me
For You are for us
You are not against us
Champion of Heaven
You made a way for all to enter in."
This tattoo was my reminder of that song. That God's love will continue to crash over me in abounding great waves. Also it relates to the verse, “Mightier than the waves of the sea is His love for you.” — Psalm 93:4
Erase the stigma of tattoos in the workplace, because I know despite having two tattoos in visible spots I will still be a good social worker some day
