Acas have published new research on dress codes which shows that employers risk losing talented young employees due to concerns about employing people with visible tattoos. The new study on various aspects of employee appearance found that young people are especially affected as almost one in three young people have a tattoo. Other findings revealed that:

• Negative attitudes towards tattoos and piercing from managers and employees can influence the outcome of recruitment exercises within some workplaces.
• Some public sector workers felt that people would not have confidence in the professionalism of a person with a visible tattoo.
• Some private sector employers, from law firms to removal companies, all raised concerns about visible tattoos in relation to perceived negative attitudes of potential clients or customers.

Acas has also updated its dress code guidance in light of the research and latest developments, including the recent case of a temporary worker who was sent home without pay for refusing to wear high heels at work.

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