Dress Code and Tattoos

Questions and Answers

Q: Should we relax the dress code rules and allow tattoos?

More and more candidates come to interviews with visible tattoos. Technically, this contradicts our dress code, but in today’s world, it no longer seems relevant. Do you think it’s time to relax these rules?

A: Your stance on covering tattoos is your decision; however, you should be able to explain to your staff why you want them to be covered. Your position will likely depend on the type of organization and the nature of the work being done. You may request employees to cover tattoos if you want to present a certain professional environment. Different rules may apply to employees who interact with clients versus those who do not. As long as these rules are applied consistently, this should not be an issue.

Remember, allowing self-expression in the workplace can help build positive relationships with employees and make them feel valued by their employer. Some companies follow this approach—for example, in May 2022, Virgin Atlantic lifted its ban on visible tattoos for uniformed staff to highlight the “individuality of its employees and customers.”