Although body art has seemingly been on the rise over the past few decades it is still considered to be taboo in most work places.
In 2010, Vault.com, a career intelligence website, conducted a survey about whether its users believe having a tattoo hinders one’s chance at finding a job. At 85 percent, most people believed it does.
“Personally I don’t have anything against it, but from a professional standpoint, I wouldn’t hire someone into an office setting if they have visible tattoos or piercings. It’s not appropriate,” said Cindy Strickler, instructor for the College of Business.
“You would be dealing with people of all age and background, and some customers might be turned off by that kind of thing. In a business you must appeal to the audience you deal with.”
According to a study by “The Patient’s Guide,” an online reference for skin care, laser tattoo removal rose 32 percent between 2011-2012 in North America.
In a collection of patient appointment data from 205 aesthetic medical practices across the country and 700 patient surveys collected on tattooremoval.net, “employment reasons” was the leading factor in tattoo removal at 40 percent.
“I don’t think my body art affects me professionally at the moment because I don’t have customers or clients as a pharmacist or doctor would,” said Ashley Meyer, a microbiology graduate student.
“I still think it’s ridiculous to judge someone based off of a tattoo. People should realize that it doesn’t reflect intelligence. I’m not going to not go to someone because of it. It’s their right to have them,” Meyer said.
Like many health programs, the Speech-Language Pathology and the Nursing Department prohibit visible tattoos and piercings. The clinical handbook for speech-language pathology states that jewelry should be non-distracting.
Piercings on any visible body part is not allowed with the exception of up to two piercings in each earlobe, and tattoos must be covered up. This applies to graduate and progressed undergraduate students enrolled in speech-language pathology courses.
The uniform policy for the School of Nursing makes a similar notion.
The policy states “the cleanliness of the individual and uniform is of utmost importance.”
The concealment of tattoos is the first thing under section I and is linked with the necessity of proper hygiene. Section IV, jewelry, does not list anything about body piercings, but the only type of earring allowed is a “single set of small posts in the lobes.”
“Nurses are the professionals that the public trusts the most. We want our students to put forth a professional appearance and maintain the excellence that we are known for,” said Emily Doughty, the director of the school of nursing. “I don’t believe that body art is very professional in health care,” Doughty said.