Tattoos in the Workplace: Annotated Bibliography
The purpose of our research is to analyze the impacts that tattoos have on individuals in the workplace. We aim to gain insight into whether or not people with tattoos are as likely to be promoted and paid the same as their coworkers without tattoos.
1)Drazewski, P. (2013). Tattoo Stigma and Job Discrimination. Retrieved from https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://scholar.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1147&context=etd
The article talks about how Madera and Hebl were the first researchers to example processes in the job interview based on whether or not they had tattoos. Based on findings it would take participants stigmatized attitudes on tattoos based on if they had them or not. The results ended with tattoo stigma exists in individuals who had tattoos, they were evaluated more negatively in interviews that non tattooed subjects. This would prove that to a degree, there is still discrimination in the interview solely based on having body art or not.
2)Elzweig, B., & Peeples, D. K. (2011). Tattoos and Piercings: Issues of Body Modification and the Workplace. SAM Advanced Management Journal (07497075), 76(1), 13–23. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.library.wwu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=61075761&site=ehost-live
This article talks about the increase in tattooing and body piercing from 1936 to 2006, the changes by percentage and also people’s perspective. Tattooing is not a new phenomenon; however, the percentage continued to rise from 10% of the American population to 24% for people aged 18 to 50. It also mentioned that it is not illegal that discrimination in making the employment decisons when employee having a tattoo, body piercing, or other body modification.The article also mentioned some legal issues that tattoos and piercings do not receive any special legal protection automatically since it is not a characteristic that not changeable. The private employers and public employers are treated differently when managers make the employment decisions while they are in the same condition. In conclusion, society’s view of tattoos is changing as the new generation comes and more people seek body modifications. It is true that employers are going to change their hiring criteria to avoid missing qualified applicants.
3)Flanagan, J. L., & Lewis, V. J. (2019). Marked inside and out: an exploration of perceived stigma of the tattooed in the workplace. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, 38(1), 87–106. doi: 10.1108/edi-06-2018-0101
This study was designed to examine the changing attitudes towards tattoos in the workplace, by both tattooed and non-tattooed individuals. Their methodology included formulating and distributing a survey which would examine participants opinions towards tattooed coworkers, employees, and whether there are certain industries where tattoos are less appropriate. One of the core findings indicate that those with tattoos are, in general, more approving of others having tattoos in the workplace. Though that is not surprising, given that an increasing number of people have tattoos, that finding helps explain the sentiment that tattoos are more acceptable than ever. In addition to the interesting data recorded by the study, their paper has a number of other cited sources that could prove beneficial to us.
4)Foltz, K. A. (2014). The Millennial’s Perception of Tattoos: Self Expression or Business Faux Pas? College Student Journal, 48(4), 589–602. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1095414&site=ehost-live
This article looks at the impact that tattoos have on Millennials regarding potential employment. Tattoos have become more common and acceptable among youth yet studies show that those who have visible tattoos have a lower rate of being hired than those who don’t have tattoos. Despite being aware that the chances of having body art may have consequences with employment, many young people still continue to get tattoos. In the article, there was a study conducted on undergraduate students and the majority of those surveyed understand that tattoos may have consequences but continue to get inked. Perhaps it is the term “self expression” that describes why people continue getting tattoos, nonetheless, they continue to express themselves through tattoos.
5)Pyrillis, R. (2010). Body of Work. Workforce Management, 89(11), 20–28. Retrieved from
This article talks about the issues arising from a new generation of employees in the workplace. This source states “by 2014 Millennials are expected to account for about 36% of the US Workforce… And 26% of 18 to 29 year olds have two or more tattoos.” As there are positive benefits of having tattoos in certain job fields such as a tattoo artist there is also still a certain stigma attached to this issue and people question whether one is capable based on their appearances, “out of 468 employees in many Industries, 85% thought body piercings and tattoos could be an obstacle to getting a job.” The article provides facts relating to job employment as well as certain generations with tattoos. This will help with research and validation throughout this project as well as let us gain knowledge of others’ experiences. Through people’s personal experiences it is questioned whether tattoos are acceptable in the workplace and if people’s perceptions of them change if they have a visible tattoo. A downfall of this article would be the human resource side of it. Our team blog is not focusing so much on the human resources side of it but rather things like how people are treated, lack of opportunities and advancements and not company policies about what is acceptable to wear or not.
Team Indecision: Logan Hughes, Keegan DeVitis, Sarah Kozhevnikov, Vincent Chau, Jack Guo