Most courts that have considered these issues have sided with employers, holding that employers have the discretion to enact dress code standards that include limitations and/or prohibitions on visible tattoos and body piercings. The most well-known case on this issue involved Costco Corporation and a female cashier who sued for the right to wear her eyebrow piercings and eleven earrings while at work. The court found for Costco, stating that “Costco has made a determination that facial piercings, aside from earrings, detract from the "neat, clean and professional image" that it aims to cultivate.”

Whether it is fair or unfair, employee rights lawyers are somewhat limited in what they can do to help protect the rights of employees who choose to display visible tattoos or piercings. 

 

In larger Indiana cities like Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, as well as smaller cities like Muncie and Columbus, tattoos and piercings are becoming more prevalent. Perhaps the passage of time will make employers more tolerant of body art. Until then, however, Indiana employees are well advised to consider whether visible body art will have a detrimental effect on their working lives.