Tattoo discrimination? In the U.S.?!

Who would think that having large exposed tattoos could still cost gainful employment in the United States? Apparently not people with said large exposed tattoos.

“I think in some ways, it’s a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ understanding,” said 37-year-old Dave Kimelberg when asked how rough he has it as a high-paid, secretly-tattooed attorney.

According to professional tattooed lady, Sara Champion, she had to find a new job because she didn’t want to cover up her needle-scribblings at work. She left, causing her former coworkers to miss out on “six large tattoos on her arms and back,” including:

  • “a brightly colored sunflower.”
  • “a marigold.”
  • “a rendition of a Dia de los Muertos bride and groom on her upper left arm.” (Wha–?)

Fortunately, she found another job where she’s allowed to be as big of an attention whore as she wants to be.* After all, tattoos are a lifestyle, not a choice.

*Unfortunately, it’s in Danbury, Connecticut.

Update (11/26/2008):
Thanks to all of your thoughtful comments, I have changed my mind about tattoos. You really made me think long and hard about myself and people’s preconceptions, so I’ve written more about our (yes, our) plight.

(It’s a long post about Thanksgiving, so feel free to skip all the way to the end.)

Final Update (4/4/2009):
Obviously people are going to continue stumbling across this article through Google search or however else they look to get outraged online. For all intents and purposes, I’m considering the Tattoo Discrimination Challenge a disappointment, but will keep it open for the day someone pours their energy into thoughtful work instead of petty complaints.

98 thoughts on “Tattoo discrimination? In the U.S.?!”

  1. I hate tattoos, I will never hire someone with tattoos, we are a decent institution, not a program for convicts and or gang members.
    Please people, educate your selves and let the art be painted on canvas.

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  3. okay, but if someone is required to cover up their tattoos or not hired because of them, could then, an employer not hire a “fat” person or a person with bad teeth because their appearance interferes with their customer contact position?

  4. Wait wait wait. Hold the phone.

    You have a tattoo, Chugs?

    I’m sorry to have to do this publicly, but you’re fired. Please clean out your SG email account and draft posts immediately.

    We can’t have a felon/pirate/hooker interacting with our readers.

    –Rick

  5. Actually, Rick, I left my construction job to pursue something more creative where I could express my personality and, for once, say that I find my work fulfilling. If you wanna talk attention whores, how about shedding some light on yourself, an elitist douchebag whose life-long insecurity is now manifested in uninformative, mediocre-on-a-good-day blog posts? Spread your word everywhere, Mr. Cliche. You are truly a gift to society.

  7. Very useful piece of information indeed! A thorough research is very significant before stepping for any keyword. But Webmasters can really be pretty fruitful for anyone.

  8. Tatoos are the sign of gangsters and gooms,its not having the perception of being decent and educated.Peolpe having tatoos on their body shows that how different they are from others that we have seen in Wanted film as Angelina Jolie have got many Totoos on her body and i looks good on her cuz her role in that film is from the gangster party.

  11. As a working professional in the service/construction field, I often come into contact with both the average homeowner/business proprietor and college degree bearing project managers such as mechanical engineers and architects.

    I also have two biblical references, 3 scantily clad demon seductresses, and a skull with batwings (band logo) showing visibly when not wearing long sleeves. The reactions I get are mixed, with some appreciating the art or inquiring about the meaning of said references (both from the book of Revalation), or in many cases I simply catch them staring at the 3 demon broads on my right forearm. With modesty I can say that my tattoos are well done by professional artists and are well worth the time and money spent.

    I should mention that I have no affiliations with any criminal activity, and have never been arrested, charged, or convicted of any crime. Ever.

    My body art has deep spiritual meaning for me and also serves to record major events in my life.

    I am good at what I do for a living, and being and Iraq War Veteran in the U.S. Army, I am as honest and decent a citizen as any 24 year old white male can be, I pay taxes and I vote.

    But this has not stopped some people, both in a professional setting and in my daily life apart from my career from clearly standing in judgement of me because of the way I feel obligated to honor my faith and my history.

    Total strangers, without saying a word or even making eye contact, close in and pick up my arm in shock or disgust. Recently I was even asked to leave a hospital while at work as a result of this.

    My point is this, minus my tattoos and what they represent to me, I am a clean cut, fit soldier type who would not be out of place in a police uniform. But for some reason, which apalls me to my core, citizens of the United States still judge one another not only by the color of thier skin, but the colors under their skin, and not the content of their character.

    I believe in the right to freedom of expression, and freedom from discrimination. Unfortunately, tattooed, peirced, and otherwise physically modified individuals like myself were left out of the Equal Opportunity Employment act of 1964, and thus not included with other groups against whom discrimination is forbidden by law.

    Untill this changes, myself and my tattoed kin will continue to be judged and persecuted in the workplace for merely excercising the bill of rights and being who we are.

  12. Diablo6 i total agrew with your statement.

    Tattoos are a way of taking a body that is the same as everyone elses fundamentally and making it your own. Bringing a part of your soul to the surface.

    I have my star sign on my left wrist and i intend to have a pagan symbol on my right or something like that. Something which means a great deal to me.

    I work for a multi national company and the only responce my tattoo brings are interest. I will admit its small and cute though. No one should be discriminated becasue of how they change their own body. The gentleman who altered his apperance to look more like his spirit animal a tiger with tattoo stripes a cleft lip and whisker implants. No body who is afraid to change their own apperance has the right to say no body else can becasue they cant accept themselves.
    Im looking to have bat wings tattooed on my shoulder blades my only issue is the cost lol bt seriously anyone who says its wrong is themselves wrong.
    Freedom of apperance

  13. wtf….a bunch of grown ass ppl arguing over the damn internet about fuckin tattoos, should b ashamed of yourselves!!!!
    just because some damn people have tattoos dont mean that they fucking convicts, gangstas, or prostitutes. yall some dumbass bitches to be arguin about damn tatoos. yall suppose to be grown. y the fuck are yall arguing about getting tattoos??? Dont yall have better things to do with ya’ll lives. so the fuck wat, if you wont hire people who have tatoos, thats your loss to your business. think about this dumbass, no workers no profit bitch!!!!!

    so think twice about being a dickhead toward people who have tattoos, cuz you broke ass, bitch ass business isnt goin to go anywhere in the fuckin USA or where the fuck u are bitch!

    and if you have a tattoo then keep flaunting it. if not and want one dont be worried, juss think about wat you are about to do and where you are goin to get it. now you know from this site that arrogant professional bastards wont hire you if you are trying to do something with your life, but you have a tattoo.

  14. Kristal,

    From four grown people to another grown person, thank you for your argument about tattoos on the Internet.

    Also, thank you for abbreviating longer words so we wouldn’t have to waste a bunch of time reading. We’re sure your argument was a sound one.

    Sincerely,
    The Guys.

  15. joseph,
    yea people have their opinions about what is right and wrong about creating the skin into theri own personal canvess but everyone has got to understand that it is not just for the gangsters,convicts,or people getting them for a negative reason but it is also for people who think that it is something that is being more and more exceptable in the modern society and it should be exceptable.the people who choose to ink theri body arte doing for attentio they are doing it because it is something that they are in too, they are not giving a damn about what your saying behind their back about the ink they carry , they are getting this done because they love art and they want to be their own tabboo, not yours.

  17. Never Judge a book by its cover… the demographics of tattoo are changing, and I’ll never forget the day I was pleasantly surprise after talkn with a “tattooed man”. Ok, so he wasn’t totally covered, but he was intimidating looking though. At first, I applied the usual steriotypes, but soon realized that the ink on your skin doesent actually have a baring on who you really are. IF YOU’RE AN ASSHOLE, THEN YOU’RE AN ASSHOLE…tattoos or not. I know plenty of “cleancut” concervative abusive asshole drunks that probably think im the dirtbag because of my ink, HA LOL. Irony is a bitch.

  18. Half my college friends had tattoos. Every piece I know of has a significant personal meaning, and if you take the time to learn what that star or hibiscus flower (Hawaiian state flower) means to that person, then you’ll see the beauty in it too. I find the notion that tattoos are for criminals offensive and down-right uneducated. How many soldiers are defending your right to call them “miscreant” based on the fact they got “USMC” or “Semper Fi” inked? Lots of my fraternity brothers have a commemorative tattoo to honor each other for the good work they did in their communities and continue to do in their careers. I don’t know where you got your prejudices, but think about growing out of them.

  19. I just find it funny that the people who have spoken against tattoos in here, calling them convicts and what not, can’t even form a coherent sentence. And while I’m no genius the ability to hold a job these days is probably easier for a tattooed up “gangster” than for morons like you. We don’t live in the fifties anymore and I know many Doctors and other people with well respected jobs with full sleeve tattoos, and none have ever been a gangster and probably have more self respect that you considering they seem to have more of an education.

  21. It’s all about profiling, discrimination in the workplace, or what ever you want to call it.

    African Americans and Woman have been fighting this exact same thing for years and now its people with a desire to express them selves that have to fight to get a decent job and get ahead in life?

    Yep… sure do and good luck.

    Me personally I work at a tattoo shop to avoid all that B.S.

    /smilly face!

  22. I have tattoos from my collar bones down…everywhere except my hands and even then my wedding ring is tattooed on. This may be strange, but I don’t have a problem covering them up for work. I knew when I got them that they might not go over well in a work environment. Granted my work is largely office work. I might have a problem wearing long sleeves and long pants if I worked outside in the summer…but i can’t imagine having an outside job that would care unless you are a elementary school PE coach or something.

    You know it is not great for your employment when you get a tattoo unless you are a total boob. That is why I have not tattooed my neck and hands. You are lucky if you can wear whatever to work and not worry about how you are seen by your bosses and co-workers, but you really have to understand that it was a personal decision to get tattooed and like anything else you have to live with the consequences of your actions.

    I am not a criminal. I am not a hooker. I am not a pirate or gang member. I am a law student, a wife, and an administrative assistant. I just like tattoos. I have no regrets.

  23. What is the big deal about being tattooed or not? Seriously, if someone decides to let their body be art, and they decide that they wish to express their interets through the artwork on their body, then why should it be up to anyone, employer or fellow employee, to judge that person? Rick, I see that you do not agree with people getting and/or having tattoos. Is that because you are afraid of getting one yourself? Do not look at them with disgust. Look at them with pride and respect, because they went through *in some instances* great pain to get the beautiful peices of artwork that they wear on their body. End this discrimination. Hatred is evil, and discrimination is a sure sign of hatred. Good luck to you in your life that God may help you find the true path.

  25. Even if you don’t believe in God, I will still pray for you :-) All I ask, is that you stop discriminating against these kind tattooed people. They don’t deserve your attitude, and you don’t deserve their decency.

  26. Alright, Jo (and this goes out to all the other tattooed readers), I’ll make you a deal.

    If you (or anyone else) can show me one (1) photograph that proves there is a non-tattooed prisoner on Death Row …

    I will get a tattoo. And I will publish it on this site.

    And on your web site, too, if you have one, proving to your friends how smart and influential you are (despite your ink).

    I will seriously do this. So show me what you’re made of, painted ladies and gentlemen of the Internet.

  29. this post is directed to “chugs.” Chugs, I would ask Rick this, but I know I’d get some sort of a comment that I’d normally expect from a jerk. Chugs, why do people look at tattooes and body piercings with disgust when there are, not thousands, but millions of men and women alike who have ear peircings? Why is a single or double ear peircing ok in society but it is almost taboo to have a tattoo or multiple/body peircings? Is society really that closed minded?

  30. why dose it matter people have tattoos or not. i mean life is short do what you want.
    hmmm but i guess theys always going to be those people out there that are close minded. and they can have fun liven the must gayest life alone or with some other fuck up. hahaha

  31. To JoCrazy: You asked three questions and I will attempt to answer them in a list format. Please bear with me.

    1. Some people are afraid of change. Not all, mind you. I can certainly vouch that my fellow co-writers are not. Have I met some individuals that have a large amount of tattoos that are also pretty swell people? Sure. Of course, I’ve also met some people that have large amounts of tattoos that also happen to be scum of the earth with no ethics or morals whatsoever. Personally, the happy awesome people are vastly outweighed by the individuals with no redeeming societal value.

    2. From a business perspective, an elaborate amount of piercings (just body in general, as opposed to specializing toward just an ear piercing or whatnot) or open body/revealed tattoos tend to be distractions in the workplace. It’s the truth-more often than not, people will spend more time simply looking at multiple piercings or tattoos, much less spending time asking questions in regards to the body markings.

    3. Society isn’t really that myopic or closed-minded so much as they’re gradually progressive. Change is an eventual and gradual process, not one that happens overnight. I mean, 50 years ago, would you ever expect the possibility of an African-American man to have the seat of President of the United States of America? That in some states of the U.S., a gay couple can be married? Simply that we’re actually communicating over a series of bits and bytes? Friend, it’s called progress.

    Keep in mind that we base a lot of our beliefs and viewpoints upon our life experiences. It’s up to those that are the good examples to shine a lot brighter than those that are the bad examples. Also, keep in mind that I am very biased. While I did get a tattoo in college that I most certainly do not regret, I had the foresight to get inked just below my right shoulder blade. I was a business major student and knew that getting it in a more visible location could lessen my chances of working in the business world.

  32. Thank you Chugs, that was a very professional and courteous explanation. Although I understand the implication that multiple piercings and tattoos are a distraction in the work place, I also understand that many people can be discouraged and may feel intimidated by the confidence that rides in a business suit. In a formal setting, could that not also be distracting? A formidable assciate meets you for a luncheon to discuss important business matters. You are dressed to the 9’s in a nice business suit for the rather formal occasion, and (s)he comes in dressed in khaki’s and a dress shirt. At this point both parties feel uncomfortable and the luncheon has a rocky start. Not to be cynical, but no matter the cause, there will always be distractions in the workplace. Whether the distraction be hairstyle, ink, peircing, or clothing.

  33. I have no tattoos, but I have thought about getting one in the past. Now, I am 17, (which I know many people will say is very young which makes me immature and blah blah blah) but I can’t stand the attitude that lots of you hold about not hiring people with tattoos. It does not change what type of worker you are. If I was to get a tattoo right now and then go for a job interview and was turned down simply on the grounds of having a tattoo, I would think of the employer as immature and completely stupid for being so closed-minded. I am a hard working person with good people skills and I achieved all A’s in my highers last year (you’ll have to accept my apology for not knowing the american version of highers…) my point is, if an employer chooses not to hire me in the future because of a silly little mark on my skin, it is their loss of a good candidate. And knowing full well that some people will discriminate is not affecting my descision to get a tattoo. Would I be rejected for a job position if I had a large birth mark on the side of my face? What if someone was given a job and then a year or two in they suffered a horrible accident and recieved highly visible scars to exposed areas of their skin? would they be fired? Think about it. It’s just a mark on your skin. Providing it is not offensive, there is very little difference.

  34. Personally I think arguing about tattoos is stupid also. The people who judge those of us with tattoos should take a second to look at themselves and see that they are no better than us; most of them are overweight,unhappy with their lives, etc. The only way to make themselves feel better about their own shitty lives is to judge people by their looks….just like racism, which is way outdated. I’m not a gang member, felon, or a criminal(other than getting harassed for a little weed), and I currently am going to college for business administration, and would not work for any asshole who judges me by my looks, and not my experience, work ethic, attendance, performance, attitude, and so on. oh ya……gun toting gangster is right, some of you stupid ass people(tattooed or not)need to take a fucking spelling lesson,(especially when every one has spell check). I’m guessing Old Rick Snee is just trying to make up for his own Pathetic existence by assuming everyone who has tattoos is lazy and stupid, well Rick on of these days you might just state your opinion at the wrong time and one of the many “lazy, and stupid” people” your talking about will kick all the teeth out of your big fucking mouth!!!

  35. hey in reference to Rick Snee on December 18th, 2008 10:13 am kenny richey was on death row for over 20 years, has anyone ever seen any tattoo’s on him, nope cos he has none, he was on death row for longer than probably anyone else ever has, and was only released early last year, i love tattoos i have 3 right now, i have my daughters names on my forearms and a star with my oldest daughters date of birth underneath it on my neck, and ive already got another 7 more planned, thankfully i live in scotland and if any employer refused someone a job because of a tattoo then they would get fined a hell of a lot of money, i dont think i ever even heard of anyone in scotland being refused a job due to having a tattoo, ive only ever had compliments about my tattoos from young people and old, well respected people and loads more, im actually a teacher in a primary school for 5-11 year olds and i started there after i got my tattoo, and all 3 are always visible, respect for your fellow being rick snee its the best form of decency homosapiens can deliver, oh and you owe us all a tattoo, we want to see this, i think we should all get to decide what you get and where you have to get it, we’ll give you the respect you deserve honestly.

  36. wow at you people. JUST WOW. Because I have.. hmm.. let me count real quick.. oh, 23 tattoos, means I am a goon? A gangster? Uneducated? Let me get your mind right. Tattoos depict the story one wants to tell. The story of their life. Tattoos do NOT tell you whether a person is educated or not. I am currently in college for accounting and I work for a company that prefers hiding body art. I didn’t realize that my company had given birth to me. FUCK anyone or any company that tries to tell me what I can or can’t do with MY body. You don’t like it? TOUGH FUCKIN SHIT =]

  37. I haven’t really read through all of this, but the top post that states:

    “I hate tattoos, I will never hire someone with tattoos, we are a decent institution, not a program for convicts and or gang members.
    Please people, educate your selves and let the art be painted on canvas.”

    Is pure prejudice. You must run a really intelligent business since you have the keen ability and wit to automatically assume a tattooed individual is a criminal and or gang member…You’re a moron. I’ve got news for you pal, most of the criminals in this world are average lookin’ Joes in suits whom you’d probably approve of employing.

  38. Seriously? Wow! To be honest I couldn’t bring myself to read past the very first comment before feeling compelled to set the record straight.

    I personally have many tattoos (and piercings also) not discretely placed either HOWEVER, I am a college graduate with a Master’s Degree in psychology and have completed extensive course study in Criminal Justice and Juvenile Crime, working toward my second degree. I work as a lead counselor and addiction specialist for at risk individuals. My job duties require me to be an educator, life coach, and therapist. I excel at all of these and have gained the respect of my co-workers and superiors.

    My appearance, with regards to my body art, has not nor should it ever bear any significance as to my abilities as an employee, mother, or neighbor. I am a compassionate and educated individual that has been extremely successful in life.

    If any employer is so close minded as to discriminate against or pass over a job candidate for the simple fact that they have visible tattoos- I propose to you 1 fact and 1 question.

    FACT- Personal opinions are irrelevant in corporate America especially in the face a recession. You take what you can get and should be grateful for what you have. It takes a great level of commitment to brand your body with art and such commitment should be viewed as a positive quality in an employee.

    QUESTION- Where do you draw the line of judging based on appearance? Disqualifying a burn victim because the visible scarring isn’t appealing or is somehow a “distraction”?

  39. I believe if a tattoo is a way of someone expressing their individuality then so be it, but if you think gang members and convicts are the only ones that get tattoos you are sadly mistaken and judging a book by its cover is the worst possible mistake you can make. Are body is a canvas in some ways and its not a sin to express you we are! “Jesus loves me even with my peircings and tattoos.” No one is perfect so way pretend that you are!

  40. “’a rendition of a Dia de los Muertos bride and groom on her upper left arm.’ (Wha–?)”

    I like how witty you think you are.

    -What’s that? You’re saying the rest of the world doesn’t think like me? You’re saying … different people have … different TASTES?! This simply cannot be. My preferences and my preferences ALONE are correct!

  41. everybody just chillout and live there life how they want. covered in tattoos or not.

    PS. i got my first tattoo last month! representing the best place on earth..Australia!

  42. Since I turned 18, I’ve acquired close to 13 tattoos. I’m now 20. In my opinion, having them visible is the point. My tattoos are intended to commemorate concepts that I consider essential to mental health. I laugh when I read all of these people that had the “foresight” to hide their tattoos. Well, since tattoos really are a lifestyle (choice or not) I consider it a gift that I will never be hired by an office job. Now I have no choice but to develop my personal skills. Instead of being awarded some thankless, demanding job promoting an agenda that is not my own, I get to enjoy everything I do while looking how I feel I should look. Yes, SHOULD look. They absolutely are externalizations of personality traits that do not deserve to by hidden as intangible emotions. I do not understand how these people without tattoos can invalidate that opinion. Like people with tattoos are just pretending to care about something enough to have it on them forever. Granted, not everyone makes the most informed decisions about their tattoos in terms of the actual imagery, but that does not mean that they have the same meanings. We aren’t a culture of thugs getting “Cop Killa” tattooed across our foreheads. We want to keep our dead family, achievements, religion, and affirmations at the surface of our lives. Not hidden under our shirts and in the backs of our minds. Just like with gay marriage, racism, and all other types of discrimination, there will always be an intelligent person with misguided views to explain why you shouldn’t be allowed to do anything. That’s fine with me. The more I get/give tattoos, the more I see that the tattooed population is vastly outnumbering the closed-minded squares.

  43. i am heavily tattooed and have never been convicted or charged with any crimes. however alot of my friends are tattoo artists hence the artwork on my body.. besides my body is my temple and i have never seen a temple without at least some art work..

  44. What’s really funny about that picture is the caption: his name is Bruce Potts and he’s a professor at the University of New Mexico.

  45. this comment is for Rick “The Dick” Snee. In response to your “challenge”, Ted Bundy was put on death row and killed. He had no tattoos.

  48. I had to keep some 1969 era small tattoos covered for years with long sleeve shirts while working. I sweated all summer long. I finally said “To Hell with this” and now at 60 years of age, I am getting full sleeves done of all my favorite tattoos. I still work in a professional environment and have to wear long sleeves, but see this as a way to “protect my investment” instead of a negative. I still find other work associates with tats and we enjoy good conversation about our hobby of collecting art. One advantage, if hassled by some young punks like Tattoo Hater above, I simply roll up my sleeves and they back off like they just saw a live rattlesnake. Gotta love those wussies!

  49. this is discrimination really, the criminal elements of society that are tattoed are extremely outnumbered by lawfull citizens carrying tattoes themself, i myself have two tattos and i am as much of a human being as everyone else, i don’t do drugs nor break any laws, to me it’s a way to mark my beliefs and my culture.
    but to ciertan ignorant people it’s nothing but a gang marker..
    you people really need to grow up and get realistic, a person with a tatto can work just as well if not better in some cases then untattoed people, beside isn’t the world all about not dicriminating anymore? fucking oxymorons..

  50. You guys are rediculous. Do you realize that more than half of the people opposing tattoos, saying we’re uneducated convicts, are spelling everything you type incorrectly? Before you judge somebody different than yourself, maybe you should learn correct grammar. You make yourselves look like absolute idiots trying to bash people with body art when you can’t even spell.

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