Dress Code - What is your position?

Lisa Trosien's question on my blog on image is a good one - what is your company's position on body piercings and tattoos?

During our company's Regional Manager's Meeting, we discussed this very topic and asked the Managers to re-evaluate our company's dress code/policy. The group determined that this day and age it is unreasonable for us to expect that people will not have some type of tattoo or piercing (and some of our best managers have tattoos/piercings). Believe it or not, the majority of our managers were against allowing tattoos and piercings in the workplace as it should be kept as a professional work environment. During work hours, tattoos must be covered. In addition, employees are not permitted to wear facial or body piercing jewelry in any exposed area except the ear. Employees are limited to two earrings per ear. Male employees may wear only one small, stud earring no larger than the end of a pencil eraser. Stretcher-type or “gauge” earrings larger than a dime are not allowed.

Great question and answer! What amazed me is that you allowed the stretcher-type earrings, but I suppose that is better than having their earlobes flopping all around!

I think we must consider that we are in an era where Gen Y is serving Gen Y. Tatoos and piercings are fairly common with this generation. I personally see little wrong with someone who has a small nose ring or a guy who wears two in lieu of one. I see nothing wrong with the girl who has a small tat behind her right or left ear lobe. What I do care about is classy behavior and a strong desire for executing on the fundamentals.

I think Mike said it best here. If I'm hiring, I'm looking for an attitude and professionalism. If that comes with a small, semi-visable tat, I'm probably going to be okay with that. People overcome physical shortcomings all the time with attitude and demeanor. Besides which, do you have any idea how hard it is to find a good work ethic in people in this day in age?

And now I sound old.