Years ago, tattoos were thought to be the symbol of many negatives. Though in today's world, it's part of culture. However, that doesn't mean that Corporate America sees body art as a welcoming addition to the dress code. Many employers, especially when in management, do discriminate against those with tattoos, and unfortunately it's legal. Employers have a right to establish a formal dress code for their organization, which is understandable. Keeping groomed is an acceptable request.
In many cases, the employer simply does not want tattooed people to reflect the face of the business. That in its self is an ignorant request, asking that my able and working body not represent their company. If hired, isn't that in fact what I was hired to do; represent them based on my work, not skin?