Some professions are more likely to shy away from employees with tattoos than others, especially if the tattoos are visible

Tattoos have long been viewed in society as a sign of a person being rebellious, wild, and dangerous. However, in recent years tattoos have become a more mainstream choice of body modification than it would have been even twenty or thirty years ago.

According to a study done by the Pew Research Group , 36 percent of 18 – 25 year olds and 40 percent of 26 – 40 year olds have at least one tattoo. A major concern of most people when they get a tattoo is how it will affect their future employment opportunities. This is such an issue that a study done by The Patient’s Guide found that 32 percent of all the laser tattoo removals have “employment reasons” listed as the reason for the removal. Although tattoos have not been fully embraced by the professional world, employers have begun to be less stringent about them. “I’ve never had anybody come out and say ‘We don’t want body piercing, we don’t want tattoos,’” said Charley Polachi, who operates as a managing partner for Polachi Access Executive Search, recruiting CEOs and board members for both public and private tech companies. “You have to be enough toward the middle that you don’t offend anybody without losing your personal identity,” he added.

Companies are beginning to realize that the majority of individuals in the modern job climate have a tattoo, and to discriminate based on that would leave their hiring options severely limited. Some professions are more likely to shy away from employees with tattoos than others, especially if the tattoos are visible. These professions include banking, health care, financial services, Fortune 500 companies, and possibly some customer service jobs.

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