tattoos and corporate america

May 26, 2005 12:28 PM

Short-sleeved work shirts and big tattoos.

The first day of my new job is tomorrow. While I don't think this will be the case beyond a project we're working on that day, my new boss says that he has a "golf shirt" with the company logo on it for me to wear. Problem: I have a full sleeve tattoo. Anything I do besides wear a long-sleeved tshirt underneath, and hope that he doesn't ask about it?z

posted by adampsyche to Work & Money (20 answers total)

That, or wear a jacket all day. They do sell makeup to cover up tattoos, but I'm pretty sure that would be impractical for an entire arm.
posted by geeky at 12:34 PM on May 26, 2005

Wear an appropriately professional long sleeve shirt and when offered the short-sleeved one just tell him. You're in the door, clearly they like you okay and if you indicate a willingness to cover up if they feel that's more professional then, well.... I dunno. Do you want/need to work somewhere that would have a problem with things on your body you're willing to keep covered?
posted by phearlez at 12:35 PM on May 26, 2005

I sympathize with you - I'm in a management position in an office environment, and I can cover up my tattoos (and any outward sign of punk rock) with long sleeved dress shirts. I've been here long enough that most of the people I work with know I have them, but I still keep them covered. I've thought about what I would do in your situation and am not sure what to say. What kind of work is it? If it's in a conservative environment, I might work the long sleeves. If the boss seems cool, I might explain the situation and see what he/she says. It's not that uncommon for people to have visible tattoos, so it might be nothing, but still a tough call - I would argue on the side of covering them up (especially if you have women or skulls) until you get a real feel for the place.
posted by drobot at 12:36 PM on May 26, 2005

You could make a joke and ask if there is any alternative to a golf shirt, since you think they're uncomfortable (a better word than tacky ;-).

If that doesn't fly, tell him you're happy to wear corporate logos in any form, but you prefer to wear a long sleeved shirt right now. That's pretty open-ended -- you don't say that you have a terrible rash, but he can think what he wants to and shouldn't pry, and you leave open the possibility that you might wear a short-sleeved shirt later when you're more comfortable. Both legally and etiquette-wise, you are not obligated to explain anything and he isn't supposed to ask.
posted by Araucaria at 12:37 PM on May 26, 2005

Response by poster: It's a consulting position, we will be doing IT for other companies, and from what I've seen so far, they wear long sleeves and just dress shirts, but he did mention this for tomorrow. We'll be moving PCs from one office to another, so dress is more casual, but this tat is rather large, and thought it's not offensive by any means, it does make people take a step back, as it's not your usual dragon/heart with mom/whatever.

I'll probably go with the long sleeves, throw the shirt over it, and if he asks, I'll joke that I don't want my tattoos to show. At least they aren't track marks ;)

Thanks, though, wanted to know what others have done in this situation, or how you deal with tattooery in workplaces.
posted by adampsyche at 12:42 PM on May 26, 2005

Did you try telling your new boss that you have a full-sleeve tattoo and that you wouldn't be comfortable wearing a short-sleeve shirt? Two things will happen; either he'll think that the tattoo is not the image the company wants to project and let you wear a long sleeve shirt, or he'll tell you it's no big deal and then you worried for nothing. Either way, I don't think you're going to be able to get out of mentioning it. The makeup they make to cover tattoos isn't going to help on a full-sleeve; a woman I used to work with had one on her ankle, and it didn't really work too well on even that small area.

You didn't mention where your new job is; are you sure it's a problem? Obviously if you got a full-sleeve tattoo you're comfortable with it and they're a lot more common now than they used to be, maybe it's no big thing.

On preview: what everyone else said :) And I sympathize, too, I just have them in spots where unless the office has a pool party, they aren't going to be seen. Which actually happened once, and I didn't go swimming.
posted by jennaratrix at 12:42 PM on May 26, 2005

I think the boss's etiquette will override his curiosity, and he won't say anything. Especially considering it's the first day. He might just think you're shy about showing your arms, or that you have scars or something.

The more I think about this, the more it is apparent that you can never predict how people react to tattoos, especially in the corporate world…so I'd try to get out of mentioning them at all. We all know you’re a good kid, but for those who aren’t informed, tattoos allude to all sorts of drugs/gang/counterculture ignorant connotations, so I'd 'err on the side of caution' in this situation, and try as hard as possible not to mention them.

I think the biggest uncertainty is that this is will be your first day, and you have no idea how tattoos are tolerated or interpreted. So until you get a better read of your new boss (he might even have a few tattoos himself), try not to say anything. Good luck!
posted by naxosaxur at 12:55 PM on May 26, 2005

Okay, but now I really want to know what the tattoo is.
posted by LittleMissCranky at 1:15 PM on May 26, 2005

I feel for you. Luckily I work from home and don't usually need to cover up. If you think it's a place you think you'd be working at for a while, meet him half way and offer to purchase some long sleeve polo shirts to get embroidered the next time he does a golf shirt run. An added bonus, you'd be able to get shirts that fit the way you like.
posted by helvetica at 1:18 PM on May 26, 2005

I wear long sleeved t-shirts under my scrubs every day. I do this to conceal a tattoo on my arm, but as far as everyone else is concerned, I do it because it is constantly meat-locker temperature in this place. Most offices I frequent are the same way, so nobody ever makes anything of it.
posted by makonan at 1:19 PM on May 26, 2005

I'm with LittleMissCranky - come on, show us your tat!

Kidding. Mostly.
posted by jennaratrix at 1:33 PM on May 26, 2005

but this tat is rather large, and thought it's not offensive by any means, it does make people take a step back, as it's not your usual dragon/heart with mom/whatever.

Okay c'mon, ya gotta share pictures now :)

As far as not being explicit about tattoos being your reason, I guess I am too whacko or trusting - I just cannot imagine someone responding to your courteous concern for the company's standards with negative behavior. Of course I also have gone out of my way to set up my life so that I can say things like "screw em if they can't" so it's easier for me to be blase' about it.
posted by phearlez at 1:49 PM on May 26, 2005

Does your company have a stated dress code, especially when dealing with customers? Ask to take a look at it if they do. Be upfront about your reasons for being concerned about the tat showing. However, don't be surprised if the boss thinks it is no big deal.

For long term coverage if the boss doesn't want to see the tattoo, ask if some dress shirts can be acquired with the company logo on them. My employer provides corporate shirts for us to wear when we're with customers. We have both long and short sleeve styles to choose from. As a result, it's common to see a mix of both at client events.
posted by onhazier at 2:20 PM on May 26, 2005

I would say to wear a basic white long sleeve t-shirt (like a Henley, or something) under the gold shirt along with some conservative khakis, belt, and shoes. Try to look as preppy and clean cut as possible. This is will balance out any negative reaction your boss might have when you tell him (if he asks) that you have a rather large tattoo that you'd rather cover up. Not a big deal.

On preview:
Along with onhazier's comment, they may have a company logo "workshirt" -- one of those long sleeve things that are denim-ish and more casual than other button downs. That will work better than white dress shirt.
posted by lalalana at 2:26 PM on May 26, 2005

Houston, we have a dress code problem. You should only wear short-sleeved dress shirts if you're saving astronauts. At NASA. In the '70s.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:34 PM on May 26, 2005

one of those long sleeve things that are denim-ish

Chambray?

My tattoos are on my ankles. This was done, in part, for ease of covering them when necessary. In a professional setting I tend to wear long-ish skirts and dark-ish tights or slacks with socks. If you look really close you can see them through the tights, but you'd have to be looking for them.
posted by deborah at 2:48 PM on May 26, 2005

I'd just tell him you are fine with wearing the golf shirt, show him the tat and tell him you'd also be fine with covering up if he thought that would be appropriate. You seem to have a pretty good attitude (willing to cover up in the interest of other's, possibly misguided, sensibilities) about it hopefully he will to.
posted by Carbolic at 7:47 PM on May 26, 2005

I second Carbolic. Completely. Well said.
posted by desuetude at 10:10 PM on May 26, 2005

Response by poster: thanks for the replies, all. as a token of my gratitude, a very crappy and quick pick of my arm.
posted by adampsyche at 6:28 AM on May 27, 2005

I have tattoos on my forearms. Not sleeves, but one large piece per arm, and another small piece on my inner right wrist.

I'm also a freelance programmer ("consultant", I guess).

In general, my solution to these problems is to not do a goddamn thing. I got tattoos in visible locations partly so that they would be seen. If a client, a boss, or a cow-worker has a problem with it, I try to explain that it has no impact on the quality of my work. Usually, this works out just fine--but, two of my three pieces are "geeky".

If they continue to have a problem with it, I generally just say "Fuck it", go home, and start on some other client's project.

On preview: Keep in mind, though, that the ink on my wrist says "NON SERVIAM"... so, perhaps my conflict resolution paradigm is different from yours.
posted by Netzapper at 6:49 AM on May 27, 2005