Marked inside and out: an exploration of perceived stigma of the tattooed in the workplace

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain better understanding of the attitudes toward those with tattoo(s) – by both those with and without tattoos – within the workplace. Specifically, this paper works to gain better understanding of attitudes toward those within specific employment and workplace groups.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized a self-administered Likert scaled original survey through a combined random and snowball sampling method. Results were analyzed using quantitative statistical analysis based on responses to attitudinal questions and demographic factors.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that negative attitudes toward tattoos are diminishing, and that there is an ever shrinking gap in negative attitudes between those with and those without tattoos.

Research limitations/implications

While intended to be an exploratory exercise, this study may have been limited by the participant base. Even with a high number of responses, the random and snowball sampling of the participants may have resulted in clusters of data which may not be transferable across the population. Future studies should seek more closed collection of the data within specific organizations or controlled participant groups.

Originality/value

This study makes a new contribution to the literature as it is one of the first studies to specifically ask those with tattoos how they feel about others with tattoos. It is also one of the first academic articles, rather than journalistic, which explores attitudes toward tattoos within specific organizations.

Citation

Flanagan, J.L. and Lewis, V.J. (2019), "Marked inside and out: an exploration of perceived stigma of the tattooed in the workplace", Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Vol. 38 No. 1, pp. 87-106. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-06-2018-0101