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Here's a quick question. When you spot someone with highly visible tattoos, what might be among your first guesses: Rapper? Pharmacist? Welder? CEO? Nanny?

Better slow down on the assumptions. Over past decades, American stereotypes about tattoos have pivoted. Not so long ago, body art almost exclusively leaned toward the rebellious segments of our culture. Today, acceptance is so much broader that matching mother-daughter tattoos don't raise a brow even in the tidiest suburbs.

When it comes to the workplace, however, the story can get muddled. Hiring officers, managers and customers very likely do make assumptions because of your ink. But whether that saddles you with negative stigma or grants you a cool, independent-thinker image is more fluid that you might expect, according to Enrica Ruggs, associate professor at the University of Houston C.T. Bauer College of Business Department of Management and Leadership. She's somewhat of a detective on how groups become marginalized in society and what onlookers should do when they witness it.

"In the past, tattoos existed on the edge of society... many tattoos serve opposite roles now and are designed to depict belonging."
Enrica Ruggs, associate professor of business

"I became interested in tattoos because of my professional interest is stigma, especially in workplaces. My life's work is to understand how people burdened with stigmatized identities are devalued in society and treated unfairly at work," she said.

Ruggs is so intrigued by the evolving attitudes about tattoos and their related subtleties she has dedicated research to dissecting notions about wearers of body ink in the workplace. The more recent study, "Do Employees' Tattoos Leave a Mark on Customers' Reactions to Products and Organizations?," of which she is first author, is published in the Journal of Organizational Behavior.

"In the past, tattoos existed on the edge of society. They were found mostly on outsiders from the mainstream and usually represented individualism, even rebellion. But that has turned around. Many tattoos serve opposite roles now and are designed to depict belonging. They can be visible shout-outs to a person's culture, orientation, profession or some other group. Some memorialize a rite of passage. Others show symbols that reflect the wearer's faith or reflect in-memoriam images that honor the passing of loved ones," Ruggs said.

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Do Tattoos Still Carry a Burden in Today's Workplace?

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A new study by University of Houston researcher Enrica Ruggs suggests having tattoos can be an advantage in certain career fields.

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those with tattoos or tattoo enthusiasts regard their tattoos highly and think of them as artwork or vital pieces of their identity. in contrast, those who don't have tattoos/ don't like them usually see tattoos simply as body modifications.

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People with a negative outlook on tattoos define them as unreasonable, unprofessional, unemployable, regrettable, and uneducated.    

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People with a negative outlook on tattoos define them as unreasonable, unprofessional, unemployable, regrettable, and uneducated.    

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Tattoos in the workplace used to be all but forbidden. Typically, only the most relaxed employers offered tattoo acceptance in the workplace - especially for jobs facing the public. Otherwise, body ink had to be completely covered up. If it did show at some point, even by accident, some companies were so uptight that they would fire the person. Many professionals avoided getting tattoos because of this policy. This was because opinions on tattoos were mostly negative; they were seen as foolish mistakes that held no deeper meaning.

In recent years, attitudes towards tattoos at the workplace have changed. Much of this paradigm shift is due to the higher tolerance of body ink in general, but a lot of it has to do with the acceptance of tattoos among millennials who are now entering the workforce. In fact, with tattoo popularity statistics increasing in recent years, it may be difficult to find a qualified candidate who have some sort of body ink. This is opening up opportunities for working professionals with tattoos, evolving the strict standards that used to define "professionals".

Tattoos in the Workplace Statistics

Over 70 percent of people still believe that having tattoos hurts your chances of employment, but this is apparently no longer an accurate belief when it comes to most companies. That's because 76 percent of people say that they people who have tattoos, reports STAPAW (Support Tattoos and Piercings at Work), a group that fights discrimination based on tattoos and piercings.

Legally speaking, most areas of the USA do not have a tattoos in the workplace law . While designs are protected by the First Amendment as forms of speech, employers are not obligated to allow any particular "speech" within their ranks. This makes it so that the acceptability of tats still varies by geographic location.

Quick Stats About Tattoos in General

A look at the statistics about tattoos shows why more and more people think they're fine to have - and show - at work. Among those of all ages, about 14 percent have tattoos, according to Millennial Magazine . While that alone should be enough to help improve acceptability and general thoughts on tattoos, the change is really being rammed through by the fact that about 36 percent of those are 18-25. Meanwhile, a quarter of those aged 26-40 has at least one tat.

With figures like these, most employers can no longer afford to be so picky. The cost of labor is proportionate to its availability, so if they instantly knock 36 percent of potential workers out of the running, their payroll costs will spike. When a business practice has to compete with financial prudence, financial prudence will win - at least at companies that will still be around in a few years.

Is There Anything that Can be Done About Anti-Tattoo Discrimination?

The discrimination seems to be declining year over year as tattoo popularity grows. Groups like STAPAW are using public awareness and pressure to move things along faster in areas where labor availability alone isn't enough. This is reducing tattoos in the workplace discrimination over time.

Are There Downsides to Tattoos in the Workplace?

Yes, there are tattoos in the workplace pros and cons . One con is that some customers still think of them and other unique body modifications as automatically offensive, so they may complain. However, this is often offset by the fact that some of today's best talent sports ink and good talent helps a company grow and stay strong.

More and more people have tattoos - especially millennials

Employers are being forced to be more accepting of body art because being too restrictive makes it too hard to obtain high-quality employees

Although there may still be some stigma surrounding workplace tattoos, it is often offset by professional demeanor, qualifications, and work effort

With the evolution of tattoo popularity, it's in most companies' best interests to allow tattoos anyway.

Whether or not your company currently allows tattoos, be sure that it is properly insured. Even without a specific law about tattoos in business in your area, someone may decide to sue if he or she doesn't like your policy. Be sure to carry business practices insurance to limit your liability. Contact us here at Marine Agency Insurance for a .

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Attitudes About Tattoos: How the Workplace is Evolving | Marine Agency

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Curious about growing tattoos in the workplace statistics? Click here to see how millennials are evolving the perception of tattoos in professional life!

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a big part of the culture of Yakuza gangs and tattooing is to have the entire body covered in tattoos

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40% of people ages 18-40 years old have at least one tattoo.

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40% of people ages 18-40 years old have at least one tattoo.

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Tattoo acceptance: Understanding Identity and Personal Expression 

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Tattoo acceptance: Understanding Identity and Personal Expression 

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Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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Polynesian tattoos were a language to its people, they communicated jobs, titles, and even families.

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Over 70% of people still think having a tattoo can hurt your chances of professional employment.  

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Over 70% of people still think having a tattoo can hurt your chances of professional employment.  

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strangely enough, that doesn't hold up to most companies now, 76% said they would still hire people who have tattoos

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ephemeral tattoos took the world by storm last year for their "temporary ink" that would fade in about a year, but here we are a year later and people have started to show their still very visible ephemeral tattoos.

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Ephemeral Tattoos Were ‘Made to Fade.’ Some Have a Ways to Go.

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The temporary tattoo company updated its product description after customer complaints about persistent tattoos.

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can having tattoos help you secure a job?

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can having tattoos help you secure a job?

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depending on the career yes, typically tattoos are more accepted if not celebrated in creative careers and jobs. recently the global outlook on tattoos has definitely shifted into a more positive light. however, businesses can still fire an employee if they get a visible tattoo.

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people get tattoos for a number of different reasons but the most common one is to honor a lost loved one, best friend or even pet, they've become memorials to so many individuals

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the idea of tattoo removal has become more common and widespread, the technology has advanced enough that the permanent ink can be removed after multiple sessions under a laser.