Should tattoos or piercings keep employees from being promoted?

Employees with visible tattoos and piercings maybe less likely to be promoted than those without, a survey suggests. (iStock)By CBC News

Visible tattoos, piercings, bad breath and other personal attributes might be hindering your chances of a promotion, according to a new survey by the career website CareerBuilder.com.

Thirty-seven per cent of employers surveyed said they might be deterred from extending promotions to workers with piercings, compared with 34 per cent for bad breath and 31 per cent for a visible tattoo.

Other attributes on the list include:

• Messy hair.
• Dressing too casually.
• Wearing too much perfume or cologne.
• Too much makeup.
• Messy office or cubicle.
• Chewed fingernails.
• Too suntanned.

"The bottom line is that professional image is important to many employers," CareerBuilder.com said. "Looking 'put-together' sends a message of competence and, well, professionalism -- especially if you're in a job that requires you to represent the company to clients or the public."

Do you agree with the survey's findings? Do you think you've ever lost a promotion because of a tattoo, piercing or other personal attribute? Let us know in the comment field.



(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)