“A Picture is Worth One Thousand Words: Body Art in the Workplace”

In a study by Aimee Ellis in 2014, Ellis focused on body art in the workplace. Ellis’s Study focused on the hypothesis that tattooed and body modified people are perceived as “irresponsible, unprofessional, and less qualified than their un-modified peers”. Body art and modifications are not protected under any federal laws, but the prejudice and discrimination based on tattoos can lead to repercussions for both individuals and organisations. Ellis used qualitative research methodologies she investigated the stereotypes surrounding body art. This paper explores the impact prejudice has on the self-esteem and performance on tattooed employees.