Tattoos in the workplace

Tattoos are becoming more acceptable in the workplace as more people are using them for personal expression.

There is no law in Canada preventing an employer from refusing employment to someone who is tattooed. While there is no protection for tattooed people there are thousands of them employed in businesses in Windsor-Essex County.

Corey Beaudoin, 35, has been employed with Vision Realty Windsor for more than four years. With a successful career in real estate and a current feature in Freeds magazine, Beaudoin said tattoos are becoming more acceptable in the workplace.

“My mom has a tattoo. She’s in her late 50s,” said Beaudoin. “My dad is pretty tattooed up. He’s in his 60s. They are all recent tattoos too. Tattoos are much more mainstream now than they were even 10 years ago.”

The Canadian Forces have a non-offensive policy about tattoos. Their policy states tattoos must not be placed on the hands, face or ears. Some businesses have a policy regarding tattoos while others have no policies at all.

Chantelle Girardin, 28, is employed at a fast food establishment in Leamington. She said their policy is to cover any visible tattoos while on shifts at work. However, she also said the managers do not enforce these rules at her building and have never asked her to cover her tattoo sleeve. Girardin also said she is not against the idea of covering them up if she had to appear more professional for employment but has never encountered a problem while applying for a job. She looks at her purple and blue covered arm and explains how tattoos are a form of “personal expression and art.”

“Tattoos don’t prevent you from working to your full potential. You shouldn’t be penalized for having them,” Girardin said.

Body modification has always been a matter of discussion. Tattoos have become more mainstream and are now an expression of art for people to tell their story or share their experiences.