As the popular culture of permanent body art has peaked, there is still some uncertainty whether tattoos and piercing have been assimilated into mainstream society.
More important than societal acceptance, this topic becomes crucial for those people who indulged in such practices and later attempt to gain entry into the business world.
DeVry University conducted a survey in 2001 of 500 employees and managers who were asked their opinion on the controversy of permanent body art. Of the employees surveyed, 42 percent said their opinion of a coworker would be lowered if that coworker had a visible tattoo or body piercing. Of the managers surveyed, 58 percent claimed they would be less likely to hire someone with a visible tattoo or body piercing.
Although fields in the police force, the military and the FBI all uphold the same professional environment as corporate America, jobs in the government sector of civil service may have more accepting standards when it comes to permanent body art.
“We’re not supposed to have our face tattooed or anything,” said Officer K. Kane, of the Columbus Division of Police. “We do have officers with forearm tattoos, and that’s not a problem with us.”
Kane said no facial piercings are allowed because they are unprofessional. Although female officers are allowed one pair of small, button-style earrings in the bottom of their lobes, men are prohibited from wearing earrings of any style.
After confirming tattoos were acceptable on officers, even in visible locations such as the forearm, Kane was careful to mention that not all tattoos would make the cut.
“The type of tattoo allowed depends on the message,” she said. “I wouldn’t have curse words on my arms and expect to represent the police force.”
There are no specific questions on the employment application regarding tattoos and piercing. Kane said the question wouldn’t even come up in an interview because the tattoo may not be visible at that time.
So how does the police department screen unacceptable tattoos before hiring?
“The subject of tattoos can come up down the road in the hiring process when a more thorough screening is done,” she said. “They might ask you specific questions about your tattoo during the polygraph test. There are no set policies about tattoos at this time.”
Although the piercing policy is the same as that of the police force, the military has a more defined set of rules when it comes to tattoos and brandings. When asked if tattoos were acceptable in the military, Master Sgt. Ormsby of the Marine Corps Recruiting Station of Columbus simply said yes, but he later described situations that were not so cut and dry.
“No tattoos or brands that show above the collar of a normal T-shirt,” Ormsby said. “No face or neck markings are allowed.”
The Marine’s policy on the types of tattoos that are unacceptable is clearly stated. No gang-related, sexist-related, drug-related or racist-related tattoos are allowed. Candidates will immediately be dismissed for tattoos of these natures.
The days are numbered for the naked girl dancing on the biceps of a soldier as it flexes.
“Sexist tattoos include portraits of naked women,” Ormsby said. “Either you tattoo some clothes on her or she has to be removed.”
Ormsby said tattoos are becoming a huge problem in the Marine Corps. He said western recruiting regions are not as strict as eastern regions on screening tattoos. To curb this problem, recruits have a digital photo taken of their tattoos and the pictures are sent up through the chain of command for approval.
“Some tattoos have been getting through the cracks,” Ormsby said. “We have an independent doctor, and sometimes they don’t report accurately on tattoos and brands. Another problem is recruits getting a tattoo after the exam, but before leaving for boot camp.”
A few recruits have been discharged for getting unauthorized tattoos, as they are told by recruit officers to discuss with them any plans for new inkings. Ormsby said the rules for tattooing are not as strict after a soldier is in the corps, therefore efforts are made to curb the problem of inappropriate and unauthorized tattoos with better education.
The FBI Cincinnati Division has no problem hiring people with tattoos. It currently has several agents who have gone under the gun.
“Tattoos are fine as long as they don’t interfere with the job,” said Cindy Kronin, an applicant specialist of the FBI. “It may be difficult to blend in during a surveillance operation with a big tattoo on your head, but if you have one, just do what you can to cover it up. Don’t draw attention to yourself.”
Kronin has never been told of a restriction on piercings in terms of application status, but she said that in a professional environment, facial piercings might not be a good idea.
Although no regulations are drawn up about tattoo content, Kronin said a background search and physical examination may raise questions about character.
“We do represent a diverse group,” she said. “If an applicant has chosen to put a racist tattoo or something unacceptable on their person, then that is a direct reflection of their character. Those images are not acceptable.”
Kronin said there are very few restrictions on an applicant, and each situation is handled on a case-by-case basis.
The climate of the workforce is changing to be more acceptant of permanent body art. As new forms of expression merge into society, the practice of tattooing and body piercing may become increasingly less shocking.
“I’ve been on the force for a long time and we didn’t have anything like this when I was hired,” Kane said. “Holes in your nose and chin were not the fashion then. But I guess they are now.”
