Your co-worker undressed: Tattoos, identity, and stigma in the American white collar workplace

More than just marks of subversion, uncommon visual disturbances, or an academic anomaly, tattoos are increasingly common in the United States. Capitalizing on the social change surrounding tattoos, this research project addresses one major concern: do tattoos impact the lived experience of white collar workers in the United States. In order to accomplish this, the focus is on whether tattoos are stigmatized in the American white collar workplace and what impact this has on identity and social performance. Additionally, the project examines how individual and organizational understandings of popular culture and art inform perspectives on tattoos and the lived experience.

Utilizing a mixed methods approach, this project argues for an interdisciplinary theoretical approach synergistically utilizing figurational sociology and symbolic anthropology. In order to address the specific population of white collar workers, the theoretical orientation additionally draws upon neo-institutionalism. This research project also contributes to theoretical discussions in numerous areas of academic interest including body modifications, identity, stigma, workplaces, and popular culture.

The study posits that sociocultural understandings of tattoos in the United States are informed by the abstract notion of freedom. As tattoos are highly symbolic and impact identity, freedom plays a critical role in addressing issues of the authentic self and impression management in the white collar workplace. The highly interdependent nature of tattooing informs the conversation on identity and stigma in the white collar workplace, while affording the opportunity to address tattoo art and popular culture. Tattoos help define social groups which results in greater workplace fragmentation and reinforces stigma. Tattoo visual disruption in the workplace impacts social sanctioning, performance, and power, encouraging stigma. Individual perceptions of tattoos in the workplace are heavily influenced by organizations and impact other social realms. Finally, the project concludes with organizational applications of this data as well as suggestions for future research.