Are subtle tattoos and piercings a complete no no at corporate companies?

[Dakin1]

Just got a new job working for a very corporate business. I have a couple of subtle but visible tattoos (on my foot and wrist) and a fairly visible daith piercing (used for migraines) with a jewelled ring. These were easy enough to cover at the interview but won't be so easy to cover every day. I've never worked in the private sector before so not sure of policy? I am going into a senior management role.

Cover them up until you can find the office manual on the intranet!

Our company has a policy of no visible tattoos or piercings and hair must be of a natural colour

I spent my whole career in a blue chip corporate setting.

Tattoos used to be frowned on but as so ubiquitous that I can't see a problem unless they were obscene.

Similar answer with the piercing, as long as the ring is fairly small and subtle I don't think that it would be a problem (or that anyone might even notice).

Good luck with the job.

I work for one of the Big 4 professional services firms. Both tattoos and piercing would be fine here (assuming not obscene or otherwise offensive).

Thanks for the replies, good idea to check the intranet - previous employer didn't have an intranet! Will stick to shoes and long sleeves until I can find out the policy just in case but reassuring to know it's probably fine.

Dress very smartly the first day and take good note of how everyone else is dressed, you'll see where the standard tends.

I'm a lawyer. I have a tragus ring.

I didn't wear it to interview or for the first few weeks in the job but I've had it in for the last 8 years! Only once have I had a comment about it and that was from a client. It's part of me so I won't be taking it out.

We also have another lawyer with tattoos on her wrist and behind her ear.

I figure if a law firm is okay with it then most other companies will be!

It's not such an issue as it was in years gone by. I have visible tats and very visible piercings and coloured hair and I have managed. However I do work in the creative inductries where this is rarely such a big deal as some people seem to actively expect you to look different. I have worked in more corporate firms and the only thing I've been pulled up on was the length of a skirt (they weren't bothered about the pink hair ).

I'm now self employed and have never had comments from clients and they all know what I look like.

I would dress very smartly on your first day aim to make a great first impression. You can gauge what the rest of the staff wear. You may find that some of the staff do indeed have tats or piercings themselves even.

I work in what people would think is a very traditional financial sector company and we have quite a few people with visible tattoos, piercings etc. Some of the old guard or Eton set may cast the odd sneering glance, but I don't think it's thine issue it may have been 20 or even 10 years ago.

I was at one of the Big 4 professional service firms for work and one of the Tax specialists showed me the most amazing tattoo she had on her forearm. But she did always keep it covered with long sleeves. Generally the tax lot tend to either be massive squares or totally alternative types with very little in between.

I'd keep it covered and just have a look around to see what everyone does.