Tattoos no longer taboo

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A red lizard on a job seeker's arm once might have meant "hit the road." But now that red lizard -- along with those nose and eyebrow rings -- may mean "you're hired."

Many corporate doors once closed to tattoos and piercings are beginning to open as more employers embrace an increasing number of decorated graduates entering the work force.

More than one-third of young people now sport tattoos and other forms of body art, according to a recent survey by the outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc.

That means 1.3 million college graduates are expected to enter the work force -- and so are their tattoos and piercings.

Younger and hipper industries like technology, biotechnology, advertising, marketing and entertainment are more open to body piercings and jewelry, said John A. Challenger, chief executive officer of the Chicago firm.

"Plus, a growing number of employers recognize the benefits of diversity in all its forms and are embracing the unique attributes that make people stand out from the crowd," he said.

Other workplace experts disagree, including Jill Bremer, owner of Bremer Communications, an image and etiquette consultant who has been teaching workplace civility since 1986.

Corporations -- especially in conservative industries like finance and law -- must protect their brand, and their employees are part of their brand, she said.

"The problem is that corporations are afraid to regulate it -- when they have every right to do so -- because they're afraid they're going to get taken to court," she said.

In fact, companies -- not employees -- win the majority of discrimination suits because tattoos and piercings are not protected in most states and companies have the legal right to dismiss employees with visible body artwork, Ms. Bremer said.