Jennifer Peterson
Section 3
The perceptions of visible body art and its effect on seeking employment
Introduction
Body art is something that we are exposed to every day. Body art is one way that we
choose to express ourselves and create our identities. Piercings and tattoos are included in types
of body art. They are usually visual, something you can see. We have the right to tattoo and
pierce the parts of the body that we personally desire. This study will focus on the perceptions of
physical appearance in the United States and its effect on employment and whether or not visible
body art, specifically piercings and tattoos negatively impacts ones employment opportunities.
Despite the reasoning’s behind body art, it can add serious limitations when seeking out
employment. It is important to remember these limitations are even more prevalent when having
facial piercings or visible tattoos that you cannot hide. This is something that we should be aware
of, especially in regards to college students because they do not know where they might work
after graduation.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
“According to a 2006 report in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology,
24 percent of Americans ages 18 to 50 have at least one tattoo, and 14 percent have at least one
body piercing” (Goodman, 2008). However even with the knowledge found from this particular
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research study the results are unknown for visible tattoos and piercings. Researchers questioned
253 women and 247 men via random telephone survey (Goodman, 2008). Not only do many
individuals have body art, but in the younger generations the frequency of body art is escalating.
With this increase of body art, you are left to wonder how this can effect someone’s
employment.
“Eight percent of people with tattoos have reported trouble at work,” from being forced
to hide them to being restricted from performing certain tasks. (Goodman, 2008). These tasks
restrictions normally include working with the public face to face. The increase of body art has
also affected other policies within companies. Many dress code policies are being updated in
order to legally have a way to not hire someone with body art. However other companies are also
changing their policies to be more accepting of tattoos and piercings in order to attract the
younger generation to work for their company.
There are many concerns for places of employment when it comes to body art “it’s a
visibility issue, it all depends on the industry, it’s a matter of catering to your clientele”
(Associated Press, 2006). These are all reasons employers are hesitant when it comes to hiring
employees with visible body art. Although “the community of new tattooees transcends age,
class, and ethnic boundaries, and includes a heterogeneous population of teenagers and young
adults, women, African Americans, Latin Americas, urbanities, suburbanites, white- collar
professionals and the college educated” , why is it still such a big deal, if so many people have
them (Kosut, 2006)?The purpose of this study is to discover if the perception of visible body art
has an effect on individuals seeking employment.
Theoretical Grounding
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Julia T. Wood (2010) author of Communication, Gender and Culture, defines artifacts as
“part of nonverbal communication that signifies all objects that people use for self-expression”
(Wood, 2010, p. 75).This construct comes from the, the theory of nonverbal communication.
Piercings and tattoos are considered types of body art. Sometimes this body art is considered
non- conforming. This is particularly true when body art is visible to the eye. Body art can be the
way someone nonverbally choses to express themselves. However this type of personal
expression can cause negative perceptions due the negative labels associated with body art.
Role Theory is explained by people who act in predicable ways. They usually follow the
norm in order to be accepted and fit into society. Body art does not conform to the societal norm
in the United States. “Role theory suggest that people who do not conform to popular
expectations may be perceived negatively” (Seiter & Sandry, 2003).Therefore persons with body
art may be perceived negatively in many aspects of society.
My body. My piercings.
You were saying?
When conducting research that pertains to visible tattoos and piercings and the effects
that may face when employment, the first step would be to research and review other studies
that are alike in nature that have been conducted by other established scholars. The thought
process for this study has been greatly affected by previously data collected. This section will
explore five significant, related areas of research to this issue: dress code policies, gender
effects, negative and positive perceptions of body art, and the inner perception of body art.
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Creative compliance
Dress code policies
Not only can body art affect someone’s life on a daily basis, but now even dress codes are
affected by body art. John S. Seiter and Andrea Sandry (2003) examined the effect of body
piercings related to being hired. They studied the employers perceptions of the individual based
on credibility, hire ability and attractiveness. According to Seiter and Sandry (2002) “dress codes
are common indicators that organizational leaders believe employee appearance contributes to
the image of the organization” (p. 288). During the hunt for employment “ when job candidates
wanted to receive positive evaluations in interviews, their appearance and dress were more
important than their interviewing skills” (Dale et al., 2009).
Research conducted by Larry Dale et al. (2009) was aimed to explore if there “is a
generation gap with respect to attire” (p. 70). When employees were faced with whether or not
their place of employment had a dress code policy, “43% of respondents said there was no policy
on piercings and tattoos, 37 % did not know if there was a policy and 20% of respondents
reported that there was a policy on tattoos and body piercings at their work” (Dale, et al., 2009).
Appearance is very important when seeking employment and interviewing for a position.
From previous information stated, most people worry more about their physical appearance and
spend more time becoming presentable, then focusing on their interviewing skills. In the study
conducted by Dale et al. (2009), “74% indicated that they plan to cover their tattoos when going
on a job interview” (p. 74). The final findings of Dale et al. (2009) discovered that “if the
company had a policy against the use of tattoos and body adornment, the attitude toward
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adornments was negative” (p.72). Also, “ as the use of body adornment has increased, the return
to a more conservative dress code, particularly with those required to meet others, has occurred”
( Dale, et al., 2009).
Does gender have an effect?
According to the study conducted by Seiter and Sandry (2003), “dress codes in schools
do not apply uniformly to male and females and this basis for some dress codes are gender role
expectations” (p. 289). This can also relate to work attire and gender. “Male students who wear
jewelry may be perceived as non-conformists and, in turn negatively”. (Seiter and Sandry, 2003).
This can relate back to role theory, where males who wear jewelry to not fit into societal norm
and therefor might be perceived negatively. Not only does gender make a difference in regard to
body art but “the sex of the individual about whom attribution of attractiveness is made, was
found to make a difference” as well (Totten, Lipscomb, and Jones 2009). Not only are males
perceived more negatively for having piercings but research also shows that, “both piercings and
tattoos are considered to be more attractive on women then on men” (Totten, Lipscomb, and
Jones 2009).
Life is short, why not express yourself
There are many different definitions of body art, but relating to this research body art
means procedures that include: tattooing, body piercing, branding, permanent cosmetics and
scarification. With the many different types of body art, from this list I will specifically be
studying the perception of visible tattoos and piercings.
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Although tattooing has been around for years, not all know the exact definition or what
the procedures entail. Usually the term permanent ink is closely associated with tattoos.
“Tattooing means any method of placing designs, As Engrossed: letters, scrolls, figures,
symbols, or any other marks upon or under the skin by introducing pigments or by the
production of scars to form indelible marks with the aid of needles or other instruments”
(Intellihub news, 2013).
Body piercings are the same way. Most people associate piercings with the ears.
However, piercings have become very popular on the face and can sometimes not be hidden.
“Body piercing means the creation of an opening in the body of a human being for the purpose of
inserting jewelry or other decoration, the puncturing of a part of the body of a live human being
to create a hole for ornamentation or decoration or a single-point perforation of a body part to
insert an anchor with a single stud protruding or flush with the skin” (Intellihub news, 2013).
There are several different types of piercings which can make it difficult when discussing visible
piercings.
Negative perceptions of body art
Seiter and Sandry’s (2009) study examined the effect of body piercings related to being
hired. It studied the employers perceptions of the individual based on credibility, hire ability and
attractiveness. The researchers found that whether or not the individuals evaluating the candidate
were students or managers, if the male candidate had a piercing in the photo it tended to harm his
image. It was even more prevalent when the candidate’s nose (facial piercing) was pierced. Not
only did the surveyors not want to hire him but they gave him low scores on his trustworthiness
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and character. He also received lower scores when he was shown wearing an earring. Overall the
male candidate received lower scores when wearing jewelry compared to when he was not
wearing any jewelry at all.
This study resulted in “when the nose was pierced the candidate received lower ratings on
character, trust and competence then when he wore no jewelry at all” (Seiter & Sandry, 2003).
Also, “whether the raters were among students or manager both piercings tended to harm a
candidates image more than it helped”, this shows that there are negative perceptions of those
with body art (Seiter & Sandry, 2003). These are not the only negative characteristics associated
with body art, “respondents who were least tolerable of body art, also stated they viewed people
with tattoos as more impulsive” (Seiter & Sandry, 2003).
Other researchers have also shown interest in this topic including, Anna Rosenhoeft, Julia
Villa & David Wiseman who chose to conduct research on the perception of those with body art.
Her study utilized a photograph of a woman who had a dragon tattoo and then the exact same
women without a tattoo and she was then rated on personal experiences. The results founded
explained that the participants who were shown a photo of a model without a tattoo, compared
with those shown a model with a tattoo, rated the woman as more fashionable, more athletic,
more attractive, more caring, more intelligent, and less creative.
According to Rosenhoeft, Villa & Wisemans’ ( 2008) research, “ participants perception
of the model with a tattoo were more negative with regards to her physical appearance
(attractiveness) and personality traits ( caring) than were perceptions of the model without a
tattoo” ( p.594).
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Not only does body art effect physical perception of someone but “ the participants
shown a model without a tattoo rated the model as being more honest and religious than did
participants shown a model with a tattoo” (Rosenhoeft, Villa & Wiseman, 2008). It is easy to
understand how tattoos, especially visible tattoos can affect how people perceive someone’s
attractiveness. However, this research also helps prove that not only are tattoos perceived
negatively but they also affect others perceptions of tattooed persons characteristics.
Positive perceptions of body art
For many individuals, body art does not concern them or their thoughts of the future. In a
study conducted by Dale et al. ( 2009), when comparing the attitudes of students and business
people to visible piercings and tattoos, (47.8% of students surveyed, did not think visible tattoos
and body piercings would hinder a person’s chance of getting a job” ( p.71). The results were
only 3% off of showing even results. These results show that not only due student believe that it
will not hinder someone’s chances of receiving employment, but in fact more research has
shown that tattoos and piercings are perceived negatively which would mostly be expected to
harm their chances of receiving employment.
Compared with the negative perceptions of body art as stated by Jeff Totten, Thomas
Lipscomb and Michael Jones, ( 2009), their research conducted on attitudes and stereotypes of
persons with body art, showed that “the majority of those surveyed disagreed that persons with
either tattoos or body piercings are necessarily promiscuous, aggressive, engage in substance
abuse, are tough or have a bad image” ( p.93). Not only did the “majority of respondents find
body art of both types to be attractive as long as these are not overdone”. However “both women
and younger persons are less prone to negative stereotyping of persons with body art then men
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and older persons are and they are also more accepting” (Totten, Lipscomb, and Jones, 2009).
There are both negative and positive perceptions relating to tattoos and piercings but according
to Kathleen Doss and Amy Hubbard (2009), “if tattooed individuals think that others will
evaluate people with tattoo positively, then the issue of visibility may be irrelevant” (p.72).
Inner perception
Why do people decide to ink or pierce there body? There are many reasons why and not a
definite answer has been found, but what we are aware of is that persons with body art is
increasing and will mostly likely continue to increase. Not only can you see individuals on a
daily basis with tattoos or piercings but this phenomenon can be viewed on television and in
mass media ,“ 2001 MSNBS television special, Skin Deep, which examined tattooing and other
contemporary body modifications, reported that twenty percent of the American population is
tattooed” (Kosut, 2006).
Mary Kosut (2006), Doss & Hubbard (2009) are three researchers that have given a
closer look into why body art is something others want to obtain. “Obvious indicators that tattoos
are a part of the social midstream is their prevalence in mediated popular culture”, many
celebrities and artist are receiving more tattoos than piercings (Kosut, 2006). However these new
additions are always in the media for others to see and emulate, either through social media sites
like, Facebook and Twitter etc., but it is also broadcasted in the news.
“According to impressionist management theorists, people consciously attempt to control
the image they convey to others to convey a desired impression” Kosut ( 2006), explains this
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further by stating, “ people who obtain tattoos may be using those tattoos to help them convey a
specific image to others, especially when others can see the tattoo” (Kosut, 2006).
Doss & Hubbard (2009) “found that participants considered their tattoos to be
communicative to some extent and that as the communicative value of the tattoo increased, the
visibility of the tattoo increased” (p. 68). Many individuals use their body art, especially tattooed
individuals as a way to get a message across or communicate with others. It can almost be
compared to the way artists have meanings behind their art work. Hence the word, body art.
Tattoos can be used to commemorate loved ones, show personal style and identify something
about a person, like a favorite picture or culture. “ Even if the meaning of tattoos shift, and their
present cultural currency declines or exhausts most tattooed bodies will bear this ironic fad for
the course of a life cycle” (Kosut,2006). For some people “the permanence of tattoos contributes
to their allure and cultural significance” (Kosut, 2006). The “decision to tattoo is typically
premeditated and deliberate” (Doss & Hubbard ,2009).
Research Gap
With this increase and acceptance of body art in younger people, why does it have to be
an issue? The problem is that there is no significant research, showing employers’ perceptions of
different types of body art such as visible tattoos, and piercings including facial art and ear
gauges. There is also research lacking in information on how this type of body art affects the
potential of receiving employment from blue and white collar professions in the United States.
Researchers have examined the perception of tattoos and piercings and found them to be
negative. My research will expand on the work of many different scholars by examining these
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perceptions of current body art, the different types of body art and the gender of persons with
body art. I will explore the effect body art has on employment, and which body art depending on
location and type has the most effect, either negatively or positively.
Methodology
In response to all research and relative literature, this study will be deeply stemmed from
the perceptions that are created from employees and students about both men and women who
have visible tattoos and piercings, depending on the location and type of piercing or tattoo in
relation to employees and students and how that effects the beliefs of those being surveyed of the
individual. For that reason, a quantitative approach with the use of surveys will be used in order
to examine the causes, effects, types and regularity of opinions among students and employers
and how it effects their perception.
The following hypotheses will guide this study of students and employers’ perceptions on
which types and locations of visible tattoos and piercings and how it may effect receiving
employment and how the sex of an individual may cause their perceptions to vary.

H1: The location and type of visible tattoo or piercing will affect students and
employers perceptions and judgments differently.
This hypothesis will analyze the opinions of employers and students and how in in either
a positive, negative or neutral way the types and locations of visible tattoos or piercings affect
their perceptions of the candidate.
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
H2: The gender of a candidate with visible tattoos and piercings will affect the
perceptions and judgments of employers and students.
This hypotheses purpose is to examine the opinions of students and employers on visible
piercings and tattoos and whether gender effects their perceptions. The analysis will either
contradict or support the hypothesis.

H3: College students will perceive body art less negatively.
Based on previous research, college students are the most accepting to body art. Because
body art is more prevalent in the younger generations, and they are the future, students need to
be aware how body art may hinder their opportunities to be employed by certain companies. This
hypothesis will analyze the perceptions of visible tattoos and piercings and weather their
perceptions agree with this hypothesis.

H4: Candidates without visible body art will be hired over candidates with visible
body art.
This hypothesis was help prove that even if one individual has higher credentials than
another but with body art, it will show whether or not the candidate would be hired over the
other. The results will either prove or disprove the hypothesis.
Participants
In this study I will be examining Farmville area employers in white and blue collar
companies as well as Longwood University students from each grade level. The participants
selected will help answer my research phenomenon because they will provide direct responses
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on their perceptions of candidates with and without visible tattoos or piercings on males and
females and whether or not their results will show candidates will be affected when seeking
employment for having body art. Employers and students will have the chance to answer
completely honestly with the use of a survey. Employers and students will also be able to within
the survey to label or assign certain characteristics to both male and female candidates based on
the locations and type of visible body art. The demographics will need to include employers from
blue and white collar companies in order to identify the similarities and difference of their
perceptions. Students from each grade level will also need to be included in order to identify if
different grade levels effect the perceptions of candidates and whether or not they believe visible
tattoos or piercings will causes an effect when candidates are seeking employment.
Procedure
The quantitative method is the most appropriate way to gather data for this future
quantitative research. In order to gather data I will be using surveys as my methodological tactic.
A survey program for example is SurveyMonkey. According to Joann Keyton (2011) author of
Communication Research: Asking Questions, Finding Answers she defines a survey as “a means
for collecting information by selecting participants to answer questions in order to produce
information which can be generalized from a selected sample across many people (p. 161). I will
be using only surveys as the easiest way to distribute to employers and students. I would like the
survey to include characters related to females and males that have visible tattoos or piercings,
and to provide awareness on the different locations and types of visible body art and to see how
they affect the perception of candidates on capabilities, hirability, attractiveness, and work ethic.
I would like to imbed images of males and females with or without a variety of visible tattoos
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or piercings or none at all. I would like to receive help from potential Longwood centers as to
finding ways to contact blue and white collar companies in the Farmville area who would be
willing to participate in the survey. The students and employers would also need to be contacted
in some way, for example email, in order to ensure their participation of the survey.
The general topics of the survey questions will focus on the perceptions of male and
female candidates with and without visible body art, along with the perception of certain
characteristics as well as how grade level, blue collar or white collar companies effects the
perceptions of each candidates in regards to them seeking employment
H1: The location and type of visible tattoo or piercing will affect students and
employers perceptions and judgments differently.
For this hypothesis the independent variables are location and type of tattoo or piercing
and the dependent variables are the students and employers perceptions of judgments. To be
able to operationalize the hypothesis I will say that any visible tattoo or piercing relates to
tattoos or piercings that cannot be hidden when seeking employment. The type of piercing or
tattoo is measured by the type jewelry used in the location. Some basic examples of visible
piercings include: dermal, smileys, gauges, dimple, septum, and nostril. Basic examples of
visible tattoos include: Facial, finger, hand, neck and wrist. Location of visible tattoos and
piercing are on the skin that cannot be hidden. Refer to Images.
I would like to use the ANOVA statistical test for my study. According to Keyton (2011)
an ANOVA test compares the influences of two or more independent variables on dependent
variables. I would like to use this test because I can measure the location and types of visible
tattoos and piercings on the students and employers perceptions. The ANOVA test will help
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study my research gap to identify the negative or positive perceptions of employers and students
associated with individuals who have visible tattoos or piercings when they are seeking
employment and whether or not they will affect the individual.
Conclusion
After extensive research founded in my literature review there is no direct research or
answers from students and employers on whether or not visible tattoos or piercings affects there
potential of receiving employment. It is important to remember that appearance and the way one
expresses themselves remains highly important when employers are searching for candidates for
their companies. With college students do not know for sure where they will work after
graduation it is important to remember that at least for now, there are consequences when one
has visible tattoos or piercings. I hope my research will help many college students think before
they ink or pierce there body, because in today’s society it is mostly viewed negatively
especially by employers. I hope by identifying the perceptions of employers and students on the
types and locations of visible tattoos or piercings, and if it effect employment it will cause
students to think about their future before regretting their present or past decisions.
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Works Cited
Body piercings guide - all about body piercings. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://tattoo.about.com/cs/beginners/l/blpiercingguide.htm
Dale, L. R., Bevill, S., Roach, T., Glasgow, S., & Bracy, C. (2009). BODY ADORNMENT: A
COMPARISON OF THE ATTITUDES OF BUSINESSPEOPLE AND STUDENTS IN
THREE STATES. Academy Of Educational Leadership Journal, 13(1), 69-77.
Doss, K., & Ebesu Hubbard, A. S. (2009). The Communicative Value of Tattoos: The Role of
Public Self-Consciousness on Tattoo Visibility. Communication Research Reports, 26(1),
62-74. doi:10.1080/08824090802637072
Goodman, Michelle (2008, 6). Too tattooed to work. CNN.com/Living, Retrieved October 5,
2013, from
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/06/19/too.tattooed.to.work/
Intellihub news. (2013, 08 20). Retrieved from http://intellihub.com/2013/08/20/governmentwants-to-ban-certain-tattoos-and-piercings-bill-passes-in-senate/
Keyton, J. (2011) Communication Research: Asking questions, finding answers. New York:
McGraw Hill
KOSUT, M. (2006). An Ironic Fad: The Commodification and Consumption of Tattoos.
Journal Of Popular Culture, 39(6), 1035-1048. doi:10.1111/j.15405931.2006.00333.x
Resenhoeft, A., Villa, J., & Wiseman, D. (2008). Tattoos Can Harm Perceptions: A Study and
Suggestions. Journal Of American College Health, 56(5), 593-596.
Seiter, J. S., & Sandry, A. (2003). Pierced for Success?: The Effects of Ear and Nose Piercing on
Perceptions of Job Candidates’ Credibility, Attractiveness, and Hirability.
Communication Research Reports, 20 (4), 287-298.
Totten, J.W., Lipscomb, T. J., & Jones, M. A. (2009). Attitudes Toward and Stereotypes of
Persons with Body Art: Implications for marketing management.
Academy of Marketing Studies Journal, 12(2), 77-96.
Wood, Julia T. (2003). Gendered Lives: Communication, gender, and culture. Belmont, CA:
Thomson/ Wadsworth.
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Appendix A: Research Questions
The following questions are examples of research survey questions I would like to use.
1. Are you male or female?
This questions serves as a serve as demographic questions so I can sort my participants.
2. What type of organizational setting do you work in? (Blue collar or White collar)
This questions serves as a serve as demographic questions so I can sort my participants.
3. What is your job title?
This questions serves as a serve as demographic questions so I can sort my participants.
4. What year are you in college?
This questions serves as a serve as demographic questions so I can sort my participants.
5. Visible body art would not be considered professional? ( tattoos & piercing)
(Strongly agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree, Strongly disagree)
This question will also show that body art is seen in a negative light, especially in company that
may require certain dress codes in order to be looking a certain way
6. Having visible tattoos and/or piercings would negatively affect an individual seeking
employment? (Strongly agree, Agree, Neutral ,Disagree, Strongly disagree)
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This question will help show how many see body art as hindering someone’s chances of
employment.
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Referred Images
Piercings:



Dermal

Gauges

Dimple

Septum
Smiley
Nostril
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Tattoos

Facial

Finger

Hand

Neck
( Body piercing guide)
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