Inkedfluenced Identity: Redefining Workplace Presence and Societal Norms
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24193/subbnegotia.2023.4.02Keywords:
tattoo, culture, workplace, perceptions, stigma, young workforce generationAbstract
The act of free expression has been a longstanding tradition observed by people worldwide, dating back approximately 12,000 years BC. While in the past, activities such as visual arts, fashion, or education were recognized as means of entertainment and self-expression in society, today the art of tattooing has emerged as a valid and embraced form of self-expression. Tattooing is no longer viewed by the general population, especially young adults, as a means to rebel against social norms or as a practice that diminishes human worth. Instead, it has evolved into a dualistic representation of self and a symbol of personal growth and development. However, within the workplace, this form of self-expression is not prioritized. In the past two decades, numerous companies and conglomerates have started implementing policies pertaining to the appearance of their employees. Nevertheless, there are still many companies that have not taken this progressive step. Professional and personal life after the Pandemic will not be what it once was, and the corporate environment and its characteristics are constrained by these changes in the attitude of its human component and is forced to take measures in this regard. The purpose of this work was to analyze and observe the perception of society and different organizational cultures regarding tattoos as a form of self-expression of employees and job applicants, both locally and internationally. Following this research, it is wanted to be confirmed or infirmed the existence of the measure in which this practice of expression leads to discrimination in employment and acceptance in society or if this taboo of tattooing in the workplace is still a practice or not. These hypotheses are intended to be tested by implementing exploratory research and collecting secondary data by consulting various specialized articles and studies, but also by collecting primary data represented by individual interviews and by conducted an eye-tracking experiment, with tattoo artists, consumers of this practice.
Article history: Received: August 2, 2023; Reviewed: October 10, 2023; Accepted: November 4, 2023; Available online: December 25, 2023; Available print: December 30, 2023.
JEL classification: D63, J71
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