Stories

Mon, 10 Aug 2026

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 Could your tattoo stop you from getting a job?

A quarter of the UK population – including the new prime minister – have at least one tattoo, but they still divide opinion in the workplace.

* Visible tattoos on hands, neck and face are still considered unprofessional by many people.
* People with intimidating tattoos were perceived as risky, while those with "friendly" tattoos were seen as creative and artistic.
* Job applicants with visible tattoos are slightly less likely to be hired than those without.
* However, for entrepreneurs or those in creative industries, visible tattoos may be viewed as an extension of their personal brand.
* Celebrities like David Beckham and Harry Styles have contributed to the normalization of tattoos.
* Tattoo artist Martha Smith believes that stigma has "changed massively" and that tattoos are no longer associated with criminality or class discrimination.
* Fine line and dot work tattoos have become increasingly popular, with over 10 million searches on Instagram for #finelinetattoo and #dotworktattoo.