Tattoo, or not to Tattoo, that is the question?

I was about 15 years old when I decided I wanted to get a tattoo; I knew exactly what I wanted too. I was given one piece of advice: wait 5 years and if I still wanted it, then get it – that way I would know I really wanted it and wouldn’t regret it. I listened to that piece of advice and got my first and only tattoo (at present). 10 years after my skin was inked and that advice still seems to be holding up well; I still love it.

The majority of people I have worked with are shocked when they find out that I have a tat. Just for the record, I don’t go around shouting it from the rooftop, it comes up in conversation within the workplace. Therefore, you have probably guessed it’s not on show. It’s by no means little (I'm not bragging), but in the professional world it’s hidden, my little secret, well it was until I wrote this. 

Now just to set the matter straight this isn’t a pro- or anti-tattoo post but, thanks to a popular footballer, tattoos have become headline news and a topic that needs discussing. 

So, I ask you, are tattoos suitable for the workplace?

Tattoos in the workplace are common now. Take my barber, for instance; he is an edgy and extremely cool individual who has a full sleeve of tattoos all relating to his chosen profession. Does he look out of place? Is he any less of a barber than his colleagues that do not sport nose rings and body ink? No to both; in my humble opinion he is the best barber in there, but that’s not down to his tattoos, it’s down to him. Would he be better without the tattoos? Would it make a difference to how he styles my hair? We all know the answer is no to both, so why is there such hostility when the topic is discussed.

So, having said all that, why then did I choose to have a tattoo in a place where it could be hidden and would not harm my chances for success at work? At that time, I wasn’t even working in the recruitment industry and had no set career path so, to me, it was even more important to have it covered. Would I have other tattoos? In a heartbeat, but a) it’s not the right time, b) I am not 100% sure what I want and c) my wife may kill me. So I understand that on the one hand I am saying it shouldn't matter if someone has one on show, like my good friend the barber, but for myself I want the option of hiding them.

The industry sector of recruitment I currently specialise in is Industrial and Driving. Now this may be a sweeping statement, but the vast majority of my clients and candidates have some form of body art. Does it change my opinion of these people? No, because they can all do their job. I have to say, a personal favourite of mine is someone who has a large tattoo which makes their arm look bionic – very, very cool. I wouldn’t personally have it, but it’s done to a high standard and is extremely different. Again, I know this is not to the taste of everyone; however, it does not affect his ability to manage a fleet of vehicles and drivers.

Some people argue that tattoos are a form of expressing one’s self. They are an art form, something personal and unique. The other side of the argument is “why would you want to scar your skin permanently?”. My Dad for instance is, and always will be, anti-tattoo. He wasn’t especially pleased to hear I wanted to get one and he is proud of the fact he hasn’t got one. In fact, his favourite line regarding tattoos is “People think they are unique and individual, but more people have them than not these days, so actually they aren’t unique at all” – he has a very valid point. Some tattoos have deep and meaningful explanations, some are just there as a status symbol and some just look pretty. I am by no means under the illusion that mine is individual or original, because it's not. However, it has meaning to me and expresses my love of creativity, and sadly it is also something I used to doodle on the back of all my school books, therefore for me it has meaning. 

Tattoos go in trends, from the dangerous ‘Barbed Wire’, to the classy ‘Tramp Stamp’, the native ‘Tribal Pattern’ and of course the meaningful ‘Chinese Symbol’. They go in and out of fashion. My uncle, for instance, has Swallows on his forearms from his younger days and he has regretted having them ever since I have known him. He covers them up and I have never seen him wearing a short-sleeved shirt in all the years I have known him (even in blistering heat). Sleeves are incredibly popular and stretch all the way onto the hand and fingers now, and this is where my argument with myself continues. If I was in a business meeting and an outstretched hand came to shake mine as I entered the room and this arm and hand was covered in ink, what would I think? Honestly, I would have mixed feelings (yes once again sitting on the fence). On the one hand (no pun intended) my initial reaction would be to think that they are not professional because that's what I have always been told; on the flip side, however, it wouldn’t really bother me. I would probably wait and see how the meeting went; if said meeting went well and they came across as professional, I wouldn't even mention the tattoos. If the meeting went badly and they came across badly then I would say something along the lines of "well with those tattoos they were never going to be professional". How bad is that? I don't even like writing this, but it's the truth. I try to stay objective; however, I have strong opinions and people who know me are aware I can be stubborn as hell. Fortunately, my own split personality and constant battle with my own thoughts helps me to become more level headed: I know deep down that tattoos do not determine someone’s level of professionalism. But whether we like to think it or not, we all judge, every one of us.

Moving on to the biggest news story surrounding the England Football Team before the World Cup started and the new ink Raheem Sterling has on his leg. If you haven’t seen it or read about it, then where have you been? He has chosen to have an assault rifle tattooed onto the full length of his calf. Now, according to reports and Raheem, this is an homage to his father who was tragically killed by a gun when Raheem was only 2 years old in Jamaica. He lived in a deprived area where guns and drugs were prominent in everyday life. Now, despite what you may think, Raheem has assured us all that this tattoo is because he is "anti-guns" - well apologies if I’m missing the point, but there are a lot of things I am "anti" about in this world that I wouldn't go and get a tattoo of emblazoned on my body. The other "deeper meaning" Raheem stated was that he shoots with his right foot – I am still a little puzzled by that reason, though. I have listened to ex-footballers, pundits, so called experts and journalists arguing about whether this should be allowed or not. I even started the conversation with my wife and asked her opinion; she is less than impressed by his chosen artwork. Now it's time for me to take my seat high up on the fence, as I personally still don’t know which way to go with it. Let’s tackle the ‘for’ argument first;

It’s his body. That is basically all I have on this. But let's elaborate; what business is it to anyone what he does with his body? We live in a world now where we cannot have bias or discriminate, not just in the work place, but everyday life. We live in a world that is more accepting for peoples’ choices, which I for one am pleased with. Unfortunately, I feel the FA (Football Association) have their hands tied with this. What can they say? They can’t tell him to get it lasered off. This is where my wife made a valid point: a company can ask you to cover up tattoos if it is relating to the job in hand; however, a BIG can of worms opened up everywhere now. There is nothing in place to help workers against discrimination of tattoos in the workplace; after all, is a company safeguarding its own image? Lawfully a company, at present, cannot be prosecuted for asking someone to cover up tattoos or refuse them work because of it. However, how can we tell him to cover up his ‘expressive art’, but Mr David Beckham could roam the pitch with his top off showing a giant Jesus Christ nailed to a cross on his back? I am not for a moment comparing Jesus and a gun. Let’s face it, no one is against him having a tattoo, it’s what the tattoo represents – it looks as though he is promoting gun culture. The rebuttal from my wife, "well if he had a naughty word on display he wouldn’t be allowed to be seen on TV". Again, I ask how could they stop him? They couldn’t ban him from football for having an obscene word etched into is skin, could they; anyone banning a footballer for this would have a massive lawsuit on their hands. Only last month a cricket bat was seen on Sky Sports with the words "F**K IT" on it and nothing has happened. I think he has made an error in judgement. So, the for argument is loosely based on the fact it’s his body. Does it affect his ability to play football? No, so let him get on with it.

Now before I start my ‘against’ argument, I want you all to know that my little son calls football: “Liverpool”. He doesn’t call it football, it’s “Can I play Liverpool with Daddy?” or when he sees a football on the ground, he points at it and shouts “Liverpool”. I kid myself by thinking I am cautious in not pushing him into it but, unfortunately, I have failed miserably. I even taught him the now famous Salah, Mane, Firmino song which he happily sang during a recent trip to Sainsbury’s, much to the embarrassment of my wife. Oops. Now, why is this important to the matter at hand? Simple. I am Liverpool Fan and, for those of you not aware, Liverpool fans are not particularly fond of Raheem Sterling. So, before anyone thinks this is an anti-Sterling post, it’s not; this is my own subjective opinion with all sporting passions firmly put to one side.

So, the ‘against’ argument; what on earth was he thinking!?!? Over 51 people have been killed in the capital by knife crimes this year alone. Before anyone says it, yes guns are different to knives and I am aware of that. But my point is this: weapons are being used to commit murders up and down our beautiful country relating to gangs and turf wars. Young people are dying at the hands of others with knives; if sporting heroes start publicising guns then certain individuals will think that they are cool and the problem escalates. This tattoo at this time (or any time) is stupid and he has been ill-advised (if at all). If you want to pay homage to your father, then get a flower, have his name inscribed on you, get something symbolic without promoting gun violence. It’s ludicrous. Don’t put the weapon that killed him on your body; is that what he would have wanted? How many people have been killed by guns in American schools or by terrorists on a rampage? He is a role model to youngsters up and down the country, so he needs to act like one. I love the fact my son is starting to understand football and gets a kick out of it (pun intended), but I don't want role models to young children with guns on their bodies. This tattoo is controversial and sends out the wrong message.

Now, this isn't an argument about guns before people lose the thread of this debate, and it is not about Sterling’s choices. It is about the acceptance (or otherwise) of tattoos in the workplace. I have worked in both the Commercial Sector of Recruitment and the Industrial Sector, both are extremely different. With office work I have been in the awkward position of clients stating they will NOT hire someone who has tattoos. What can I do? Go against the client’s request because I feel they may lose out on a fantastic candidate or understand that they have to keep a certain profile for their own clients. It’s simple really, there are certain jobs/companies that will require a smarter outlook, and whether you love them or hate, tattoos are still deemed as inappropriate. I have met candidates and clients who have tattoos on-show and they are no less professional than the ones without. As a Recruitment Expert I feel it my duty to offer advice. So, let’s take the Raheem story as a marker. He could easily have hidden his tattoo like I do every day. He is a professional footballer and no-one would have thought otherwise if he had his socks pulled up in training. However, he decided that St George’s Park, the England football team’s training base, was the place to showcase this new treat. What made matters worse for him was the timing with a major tournament only weeks away. If I was Gareth Southgate, about to enter into the biggest tournament of my personal career, and someone decided to threaten to derail the team by carrying out an action which could be seen as thoughtless and na?ve I would be less than impressed. If I was about to attend the biggest meeting that could change the fortune of my branch forever and one of my Senior Consultants turned up to work with a brand new tattoo on show I would be less than impressed without any prior warning. Would I change who I took with me on that visit? No, of course I wouldn’t. I would take my strongest possible team member with me to win the business; however, a strong conversation would probably take place afterwards swiftly advising them that their actions could have an effect on everyone. So, I am not saying Raheem should have been sent home and replaced, I just feel he has not carried out his responsibilities to the FA, Gareth and the team. Southgate needed Sterling. He needed him onboard, he needed him to lead from the front and showcase his abilities. Therefore, his handling of this situation has been fantastic in not reprimanding one of his stars; however, I am sure when they return from Russia after the 3rd place play-off they will have a conversation about what he expects in future. Let’s be honest, it didn’t affect his performances on the pitch did it.

I do have a problem with certain tattoos and, yes, this may seem hypocritical, but honestly I feel this is important. People, do what you want with your body. It’s your body. But do remember if you have a duty of care or are in the public eye then choose carefully; you could be promoting something you are actually against.

I think that Tattoos are more acceptable in everyday life now; people are more accepting of others’ choices. I am unsure if at this moment in time they are 100% acceptable in the work place; however, there has been an incredible change in the short space of time that I have worked in recruitment. I met consultants in the Commercial Sector of Recruitment with tattoos on their hands when I started and it was a categorical ‘No, No’. Only two months ago on a training course I met a consultant, who is extremely good at his job, with a Mike Tyson-style face tattoo. I also think there is a massive difference with what is seen as a controversial tattoo and what is not; Mr Sterling’s tattoo is probably not deemed as acceptable on show, but in many professions this would be hidden and employers would never know – if on show, I understand why employers would not hire someone because of it. So, are they acceptable in some workplaces and not others? In my experience the answer unfortunately is still ‘yes’. This part isn’t about controversial tattoos, but one that is inoffensive (other than your own personal dislike for them), let’s say a flower or butterfly. I know public sector positions will hire nurses and police officers with tattoos; however, high-profile banking business still to this day have a ‘no tattoo or piercing’ policy.

With everything there is a life-cycle, so will tattoos fade out (not in the physical sense) and be seen as eye-sores once again? In my humble opinion, no. I think as the world continues to evolve children are being given more freedom to explore and make decisions about their own life. With children as young as 3 being able to decide their gender (if you don’t believe me Google it), then when they grow to a legal age to have their body tattooed they will not be swayed or coerced into not having one – they have been able to make huge decisions about their life before they stop wetting the bed. So, as we all become more tolerant of each other and our own choices I can only see it improving, and one day the ‘no tattoo or piercing’ policy will be withdrawn from many a contract worldwide. 

I have seen the working world change since my teenage years of working as a retail assistant in Tesco to now being a manager of a successful recruitment branch in my 30’s. Don’t judge someone’s ability to perform their duties because they have a tattoo. However, I understand judging someone’s immaturity or ignorance on what is deemed as an acceptable tattoo.

The picture at the top of this article is me, my secretive ink, that’s not so secret anymore. Will I lose clients over this? Highly doubtful. Is it ill-advised? Not particularly. Does it affect my ability to be a good recruiter? Not one little bit.