I have an interview for a Sys Admin position for a locally-based bank next week and I need some advice on how to handle something.

I don't know what the dress code requirements are, but I believe it to be business casual. I have tattoo's that cover the lower portion of my right arm and I not sure if I should disclose this during an interview... I got the tattoos over a year ago and the place where I work hasn't said anything negative about them... so this is all new territory for me.

How should I approach this issue?

Mark C.
 

I just wear long sleeves, but I am usually in the server room where it is cool all year. My theory has always been, if I work somewhere that doesn't want tattoos, then they probably have air conditioning.
I wouldn't say anything until someone asks why you never wear short sleeves.  

I wouldn't say anything during the interview process, unless of course the tattoo interferes with your ability to do the job.

After you have the job, not just the offer, but the job you can investigate the situation via company handbook or ask HR.   

I would disclose it.  If it's not a problem, then disclosing it does no harm.

If it is a problem, it's far better to know before you give notice to your current employer (you did say where I work, not where I worked) that after that fact and find yourself in the position of neither job.
 

--------------
Good Luck
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read
FAQ181-2886: How can I maximize my chances of getting an answer?
Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something.  - Plato

ugh! I'm on the fence on this one... I think I will find out the details of the dress code and if it sounds like it's going to be an issue, I will disclose if need be. I just hope the manager looks at my skill set and what I bring to the table vs the fact that "I have visible tattoo's".

Mark C.
 

If the best case is nobody cares and the worst case is they really don't want tatoos in the workplace, I would wear the long sleeves.

Once you are in you can find out what the prevailing attitude is and go from there.  At least you'll have a chance to prove your technical worth before anybody starts to worry about your cosmetic appeal.  Also, once you are in, if anybody has an issue with your ink it will probably be more than offset by the brain damage and expense of (1) getting rid of you and (2) filling the position again.

Are the tattoos offensive in any way?

Unless they ask about it I wouldn't say a word about tattoos. There is no point in bringing up a subject that has nothing to do with the job position.


Stubnski

I would hope that your skillset is more important than your decorations - unless the tattoo can be deemed to be offensive in any way.

I would suggest that you wear a long-sleeved shirt for the interview and if then you receive an offer of employment, ask about their views.  You may want to think again if you disagree with their code.

I would, however, try to stop using apostrophes in your plurals (tatoo's)

It is time for pacifists to stand up and fight for their beliefs.

I would generally wear the long sleeves for the interview. Surely they couldn't refuse you the job because of the tattoos, but they also aren't part of you selling yourself for this position, so from that point of view they are irrelavant (sp?).

So, just don't focus on them.

Fee

"The cure for anything is salt water – sweat, tears, or the sea." Isak Dinesen

Wear long sleeves to the interview, if they have a problem then surely the onus is on them to ask?

"Your rock is eroding wrong." -Dogbert

Wear long sleeves. By US law, they cannot discriminate against them, nor can they ask you about them. If you offer the information, then you run the risk of sabotaging yourself. Thin, long sleeve button up shirts look professional while covering the tats. Get in the door, feel out the attitude of the company. Most handbooks will simply state to cover them during work hours.  

--------------------------------------------------
"Crash programs fail because they are based on the theory that, with nine women pregnant, you can get a baby a month." --Wernher von Braun
--------------------------------------------------

==> By US law, they cannot discriminate against them, nor can they ask you about them.
Are you sure about that?

Laws on Tattoos in the Workplace

Quote:

In November 2006, the court case Robert v. Ward, heard in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, found that employers can impose dress and appearance policies, including regulating tattoo displays, provided the policies are handled in an equitable fashion

Again, my position to be open and upfront about it.  It shouldn't be a problem, especially if you keep them covered, but on the other hand, if it is an issue, I think it's better to find out sooner rather than later.

Whatever you choose to do, I wish you the best of luck.

--------------
Good Luck
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read
FAQ181-2886: How can I maximize my chances of getting an answer?
Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something.  - Plato

Imposing a Dress Code is completely different than hiring/terminating based on a tattoo that is completely covered and within the bounds of the stated dress code. Remember that employers are very limited in what they can ask you during an interview (at least in my state). While many ignore the rules, they are not supposed to ask you anything about your personal life. Open-ended questions like "Tell me about yourself" are OK, because the interviewer is "asking about your skill sets", where as the person being interviewed will offer up personal insights.

Keep the conversation to the position at hand, and don't give them any reason to form a personal bias against you based only on looks.

At least that's my take on it.

--------------------------------------------------
"Crash programs fail because they are based on the theory that, with nine women pregnant, you can get a baby a month." --Wernher von Braun
--------------------------------------------------

==> Imposing a Dress Code is completely different than hiring/terminating based on a tattoo that is completely covered and within the bounds of the stated dress code.
And if the dress code specifically bans tatoos?  Again, I refer to the referenced article.

Quote:

You can limit the number of tattoos that are visible when an employee is working at your organization or ban tattoos, assuming you have a legally defensible business reason to do so. Legitimate reasons to ban or limit tattoos in the workplace include your customers' level of comfort with dealing with tattooed employees and the perception of businesses with which you have professional relationships.

(emphasis mine)
Employers may ban tatoos, and may hire/fire based on tatoos, whether covered or not, especially if they're banned by the dress code, and provided everyone is treated the same.

Again, it's probably not a problem, but I wouldn't make that assumption.

--------------
Good Luck
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read
FAQ181-2886: How can I maximize my chances of getting an answer?
Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something.  - Plato

Also, even if they base a "no hire" decision solely on the presence of tatoos, how are you going to prove that is the case (unless they are foolish enough to say so)?  When asked why they don't hire somebody, all they have to say is "we didn't feel like it would be a good fit" or some other vague throwaway.  It might also be the case that a person would dislike a candidate because of tatoos and not be aware of it - all they would know is they didn't like the candidate.  

Why do we wear suits to interviews even when we know perfectly well that suits are not worn in the workplace we are applying to?  It is because we are trying to make the best impression possible.  So take out the pierced jewelry, cover up the tatoos, make sure you and your clothes are clean, and give it your best shot.

The fact that you are wondering whether or not to cover tatoos indicates that you are aware they might not be looked upon favorably.  Wear the sleeves - and good luck!

Wear long sleeves.  Don't bring it up.  Be prepared to wear long sleeves you entire career with the bank.  If it turns out that they're not an issue after the fact, then great.  Since you won't be client-facing then it's likely that they won't be an issue, but I will say that banks (more than any other type of company that I worked for) are sensitive to physical appearance, and they really attract people who are equally sensitive to appearance.  But if your tatoo ends up causing you to wear sleeves all the time then you'll be that much more professional looking.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
MCITP:Virtualization Administrator 2008 R2
Certified Quest vWorkspace Administrator

Wear the long sleeves and don't bring it up.  You might ask something in the interview like what the dress code is.  It varies with different places, from "business casual" to suits and everything in between, including other stuff like jewelry, facial hair, and so on, including tattoos so people shouldn't raise too many eyebrows if you don't put out an opinion.  For example, one place I was involved with had "long pants and shirts with a collar" for a dress code (second one being the odd one, as there are "dress shirts" with no collars out there).  

Besides, people have been hired and fired from most companies for much more frivolous and silly reasons than having tattoos.  Just don't take too much offense, be prepared in general, and on the dress code question, see if you can live with whatever restrictions are in place.  Good luck.

It is not possible for anyone to acknowledge truth when their salary depends on them not doing it.

This information is great.

My tattoos are not offensive in any way. I just wasn't sure how I should approach the issue.

I'm fine with long sleeve during the interview (always SOP for me). I will ask about the dress code and if offered the job then go from there. If all else fails, I will wear long sleeve shirts. If asked why I dress the way I do, then explain if necessary.



  

Mark C.
 

Mark,

It is more important if you are going to be meeting with clients.  If they aren't visible most people don't care.   Wear the long sleeves and don't sweat it at all.   Banks are tuff to work for anyway.  A lot of turn over.  If you get the job don't roll them up unless you have to.

Jim C.
 

they are potentially employing you for what you can offer, not your tattoo's

I know times are tough, but would you want to work for a company that cant accept you for you?

ACSS - SME
General Geek

Thanks again. I had the first interview. Dress code is business professional, so it will be long sleeve and tie, so I dont have to worry about it.

thanks for the advice everyone.

Mark C.
 

Quote:

they are potentially employing you for what you can offer, not your tattoo's

I know times are tough, but would you want to work for a company that cant accept you for you?  

It's an employer, not a lifetime commitment.  People regularly change jobs every few years, and while it would be GREAT if we could all find the ideal company to work for where everything is perfectly suited to us and our personalities, it's not going to happen.  The best that most people can hope for is a job that pays well, with interesting work, and working with people who we like.  Not to say that you shouldn't aim higher, but if not getting to display sleeve tatoos is a deal breaker then you don't really need the job.

I once had an opportunity to work on a data center migration project for an insurance company where the dress code (even for IT people) was suit and tie.  I even verified that they wanted people who may have to go into the datacenter and rack/unrack servers to wear a suit and tie, though they said that it was OK to leave their jackets at their desks if they had to get dirty.  I told them that while their project was interesting and I would like to work on it that their dress code was a deal-breaker.  I just felt like it was too far out of the norm for IT work, and I had no interest in buying 3-4 more suits just to get them strained, snagged, and torn.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
MCITP:Virtualization Administrator 2008 R2
Certified Quest vWorkspace Administrator