Can I be denied a job because of tattoos?

Author: Prof. Mathew Kunde  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 29, 2025

However, it is important to know that every employer has the right to establish and enforce a dress code, and tattoos and body piercings fit under that umbrella. Currently, United States discrimination laws do not reference tattoos.

Can a job refuse to hire you because of tattoos?

The employer can refuse to hire you for any reason except your race, sex, age (40+), religion, national origin, or disability. Not hiring someone for having a tattoo is perfectly legal.

Can I not get a job if I have a tattoo?

Absolutely. An employer has to protect their image and if they think a tattoo harms their image, or if they just don't like tattoos, they can refuse to hire you.

What jobs will not hire you if you have tattoos?

Here's a short list of some of the most common employers that either don't allow tattoos or ask you to cover them up at work:
  • Healthcare Professionals. ...
  • Police Officers and Law Enforcement. ...
  • Law Firms. ...
  • Administrative Assistants and Receptionists. ...
  • Financial Institutions and Banks. ...
  • Teachers. ...
  • Hotels / Resorts. ...
  • Government.

Can you lose a job because of a tattoo?

Can I Be Fired for Having a Tattoo? An employer is generally free to maintain a policy prohibiting employees from displaying tattoos at work. That means in most circumstances, your employer can discipline or even fire you for displaying a tattoo.

I Can't Get a Job Because of My Tattoos! | This Morning

How many people get denied jobs because of tattoos?

However, 73% of people say they would hire staff that had visible tattoos. 6% of tattooed people say they wouldn't hire someone with visible ink. Only 4% of tattooed or pierced people say they've actually faced discrimination in their current job.

Do tattoos really make it harder to get a job?

When it comes to searching for a job, many people think tattoos are now widely accepted. There's no way a company wouldn't hire you just because you have a tattoo! While tattoos are certainly more commonplace than ever before, there are still a few careers with tight restrictions when it comes to tattoos.

Will jobs not hire you if you have a hand tattoo?

There still isn't a solid tattoo discrimination law in California. The same goes for California piercing laws. However, business owners and employers are encouraged to consider tattooed applicants as some jobs don't really need such rigorous rules.

How to remove a permanent tattoo?

Common techniques used for tattoo removal include laser surgery, surgical removal and dermabrasion. Tattoo ink is placed beneath the top layer of the skin. That makes tattoo removal more complicated — and expensive — than the original tattoo application.

What counts as a visible tattoo?

Visible tattoos are deemed unacceptable, for example those located on the neck, face or hands or if they could reasonably be interpreted as: discriminatory. offensive.

Can I get a federal job with tattoos?

Whether hand tattoos would adversely affect your advancement in the federal government is entirely up to whomever is your supervisor. Officially, there isn't a dress code so long as your position isn't in the public eye.

Can you donate blood with tattoos?

Most people with tattoos can donate blood as long as they don't have risk factors that prohibit or limit blood donation, and if they got a tattoo at a state regulated facility. In the U.S. you have to wait 3 months to donate if the tattoo was from a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities.

Should I tell my employer I have tattoos?

Simply ask, "Is it okay to have facial piercings or visible tattoos at work?" This demonstrates honesty and allows the employer to assess your fit within their company culture.

Can I be a lawyer with tattoos?

Lawyers are not, say, lifeguards. They don't expose a lot of skin. And just about all of the advice we saw on the internet said lawyers can definitely rock a tat — just make sure it's not exposed.

What type of tattoo is always permitted?

Tattoos that are decorative, non-offensive, and placed in less visible areas are generally always permitted. These tattoos often serve as personal expressions of art and identity. Societal acceptance of tattoos has evolved, allowing more freedom in their acceptance in various contexts.

Can tattoos be 100% removed?

It is difficult to give a one-size-fits-all answer to this often asked question, but broadly speaking, yes a tattoo can be 100% removed so long as your immune system is working effectively and you follow our sun-safe aftercare guidelines.

How painful is tattoo removal?

Depending on what type of tattoo removal you choose, there may be varying levels of pain or discomfort. Some people say that removal feels the same as getting a tattoo, while others liken it to the feeling of a rubber band being snapped against their skin. Your skin may be sore after the procedure.

Do tattoo removal pens work?

However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any type of home tattoo removal, because they are ineffective and risky. However, tattoo removal has been quickly growing more popular, the FDA says.

Can jobs reject you because of tattoos?

Currently, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees and job applicants from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin, but does not yet prohibit discrimination based on tattoos or other forms of body art.

What jobs prohibit tattoos?

Some jobs may require employees to wear uniforms that do not allow visible tattoos.
  • Tattoos in the Workplace of Armed Forces. ...
  • Tattoos in the Workplace of Healthcare. ...
  • Tattoos in the Workplace of Law Enforcement. ...
  • Tattoos in the Workplace of Government Bodies. ...
  • Tattoos in the Workplace of the Corporate World.

Are there CEOs with tattoos?

In fact, CEO Varun Krishna, who took the top job seven months ago at Rocket, said in a statement to Fortune that he appreciates how the company's culture embraces people's individuality—especially given that Krishna has a few tattoos himself.

How strict are jobs with tattoos?

Tattoos are generally accepted in the workplace as long as they're not offensive, unprofessional or distracting. However, visible tattoos may not be appropriate for every profession. Even if your company allows body art, you may find that customers or coworkers discriminate against tattooed employees.

What is the disadvantage of tattoos?

A skin infection is possible after getting a tattoo. An infection might be due to contaminated ink or equipment that isn't sterilized correctly. Getting a tattoo at a studio that doesn't follow good safety steps also can raise your risk of a skin infection.

Can tattoos cause you to not get a job?

A Tattoo Won't Hurt Your Job Prospects. Michael T. French of the University of Miami and colleagues surveyed more than 2,000 people in the United States and found that those with tattoos were no less likely to be employed than their uninked counterparts, and that average earnings were the same for both groups.

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