From the ages of 23-28 I was doing reservations for shows an all the fancy restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip. The money was good, which allowed me to a ton of traveling and get tattooed.
When I first started the dress code was dress shirt/tie/slacks. They relaxed it down to casual (t-shirts/jeans) and actually saw productivity and moral shoot up, but ya still had to keep your tattoos covered. I didn't mind 'cause I'm a private person and didn't really wanna "show off to my co-workers", (It sucked during the summer, wearing long sleeves, the Vegas summer is hell!) but I had co-workers who would rally against the machine and engage our over-lords about revamping the dress code to allow exposed tattoos, it worked!
An I believe productivity/moral even increased a little more. I was stoked, no more long sleeves during the summer!
Plus, I got to see some of my co-workers tattoos. One dude had both arms sleeved with crop-circles, an each crop circle designed had a specific meaning. I wouldn't say the tattoos were good. but they were hilariously awesome!!!!
I ended up leaving that place cause dealing with shitty tourists all day is lame.
Luckily, I landed at a job that is pretty hip, progressive and forward thinking. (A co-worker friend is transgendered, female to male, an the insurance provided by work is covering his re-assignment surgeries!!)
I can show up in a cowboy hat, tube top, pajama pants and flip flops and get a hi-five from my boss. with that kinda feeling in the work environment, everyone is positive and work gets done and it's a win/win situation.
I just hope in the future more employers will understand : the happier the employee they better they will work
and sometimes being happy at work is just wearing a t-shirt vs. shirt & tie!