Tattoos in the workplace

[KB4848]

Hey all!

There was recently an email sent out by our manager talking about dress code and how patients or other staff can ask us to cover our tattoos if they are offended by them. There's no actually hospital policy stating we aren't allowed to have tattoos or that they absolutely must be covered up, I believe the policy states that they must be covered as much as possible. I see more staff with tattoos than not these days. I have one on my arm and some days it's just too hot to wear long sleeves so it's not always covered. I personally want more but after my manager deiscovered one on my arm she told me not to go getting anymore and that if I do I won't be able to go much further in nursing if I'm covered in tattoos. Which I find ridiculous. I've never had a patient or anyone else complain about my tattoos being visible. She seems to be the only one that has a huge problem with it but tries to play it off like she doesn't. What's your take on the matter?

[Davey Do]

anyone that wants to have an issue with that can go take a long walk off a short pier.

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[Davey Do]

Speaking of nurses and tattoos, several years ago, I was involved in an art show and was talking with one of the patrons. She was asking me questions about myself when I told her that I was a nurse. "Oh!" she replied, "My sister's a nurse and she works at a prison!"

The patron began to relate a story from her sister's work, something about the prisoners attempting to distill home-made alcohol, and at one point said "...my sister's prisoners..." when an artist I knew named Judith walked up on the conversation. Judith had a puzzled look on her face as the patron finished her story.

When the patron's story was completed, Judith said, "Oooooh! When I heard you say 'my sister's prisoner's', I pictured a bunch of men chained up in your sister's basement with a portrait of her tattooed on their arms!" as she struck a portrait pose.

Sort of like this:

[KB4848]

I get it maybe my manager is just trying to warn me that if I ever want to be in a management type position I can't be covered in tattoos. Still though I'm an extremely professional person, and having tattoos shouldn't keep someone from getting a job in any field really. Heck, most of my patients have tattoos, and not a single one of them has gone "that lotus tattoo on your arm is extremely offensive to me and making it so I feel as though you cannot care for me please cover it up." I guess it just makes me a little upset that my outward appearance would override my actual actions and qualifications. It's easy to judge a book by its cover, but it's so much more rewarding to actually open that book up and read it.

[Davey Do]

I have a friend with "Type 1 Diabetic" tattooed on the entire length of his lower arm.

I can understand your friend having his chronic condition tattooed on his arm.

I don't understand acute conditions being tattooed on one's self though.

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[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

Ok so I am complaining.Having been a patient at times,I find them dirty looking,like soiled skin.If no one complained to you it is because they were too polite to impose on you,although the reverse is not true.

[Wuzzie]

I get it maybe my manager is just trying to warn me that if I ever want to be in a management type position I can't be covered in tattoos. Still though I'm an extremely professional person, and having tattoos shouldn't keep someone from getting a job in any field really. Heck, most of my patients have tattoos, and not a single one of them has gone "that lotus tattoo on your arm is extremely offensive to me and making it so I feel as though you cannot care for me please cover it up." I guess it just makes me a little upset that my outward appearance would override my actual actions and qualifications. It's easy to judge a book by its cover, but it's so much more rewarding to actually open that book up and read it.

Get used to it. That's how the world operates. It may not be right but it is what it is and I doubt one more tattooed nurse is going to change it. It's a business, they really don't care about your "book" and the patients shouldn't be expected to. Your lotus may be fine but somebody is bound to push it and put something offensive in a visible place because they aren't "defined by the man". You can thank them for the limits on personal expression. Some people don't know where to draw the line.

[BettyGirard, BSN]

Alas, unless you're a Maori where it's considered religious, having tats doesn't put you in a protected class. In most places, people are allowed to discriminate against you. Despite arguing it's "socially acceptable" these days, the answer is that it does have connotations that people are allowed to make.

[Have Nurse, ADN, RN]

Hey all!

There was recently an email sent out by our manager talking about dress code and how patients or other staff can ask us to cover our tattoos if they are offended by them. There's no actually hospital policy stating we aren't allowed to have tattoos or that they absolutely must be covered up, I believe the policy states that they must be covered as much as possible. I see more staff with tattoos than not these days. I have one on my arm and some days it's just too hot to wear long sleeves so it's not always covered. I personally want more but after my manager deiscovered one on my arm she told me not to go getting anymore and that if I do I won't be able to go much further in nursing if I'm covered in tattoos. Which I find ridiculous. I've never had a patient or anyone else complain about my tattoos being visible. She seems to be the only one that has a huge problem with it but tries to play it off like she doesn't. What's your take on the matter?

I can understand. And what I am about to say may offend some, but please take it in the spirit of which it is intended?

My anscestors were very tough, no nonsense Scottish warriors who defeated to the Romans when they tried to take what is now Scotland, back in very ancient times. They had different clans (tribes) and they all wore tattoos indicating their clans, etc. I am proud of my Scottish heritage.

But fast forward to the 21st Century where tattoos mean some things can are totally different.

Many elderly patients are intimidated by someone wearing tattoos. Some symbols ARE offensive. I said some, not all.

In some places, gangs wear tattoos to show who they are and for what they stand.

In any case, there's nothing professional about them, and some are unsightly which is why they aren't allowed in the workplace.

Most employers have new staff sign an agreement that they are aware of policies and procedures, and that they will follow them. That includes the dresscode.

Again, I am proud of my heritage, but even I wouldn't wear certain things in the workplace. It's inappropriate plain and simple.

[OldDude]

I get it maybe my manager is just trying to warn me that if I ever want to be in a management type position I can't be covered in tattoos. Still though I'm an extremely professional person, and having tattoos shouldn't keep someone from getting a job in any field really. Heck, most of my patients have tattoos, and not a single one of them has gone "that lotus tattoo on your arm is extremely offensive to me and making it so I feel as though you cannot care for me please cover it up." I guess it just makes me a little upset that my outward appearance would override my actual actions and qualifications. It's easy to judge a book by its cover, but it's so much more rewarding to actually open that book up and read it.

I'll refer back to the policy you quoted. That is the root of the problem. The tattoo is either covered or not covered but if you leave anything open for individual interpretation conversations like this will abound with little or no objective resolution.

[NurseBlaq]

I don't have a single tattoo but that's my preference. I know many who do and they haven't had problems with patients.

But, there are limitations to everything. I also know coworkers who walk around in pink hair. That's a big debate too, but it's their life and personality. I try to judge people by their behavior not by looks but in today's environment there are far too many superficial people. I say do what pleases you, yet be cognizant of your career and future goals when getting tats.

[klone, MSN, RN]

As a manager, I couldn't care less if you have tattoos and they're showing (assuming they're not vulgar or offensive). I care that you're a good nurse. Luckily, the hospital itself tends to take the same stance. Half of the nurses in my unit have full sleeves.

[Neats, BSN]

Altering your body is a personal choice...one in which I support until it becomes an impact on society i.e. cost for caring for issues related to altered body part becomes now a cost that is billed to taxpayers).

Other than that I am not offended by Tats and see them as an expression of Art...even the prison home made ones. When it comes to tats that are explicit in their meaning i.e. say a swastika I get the meaning I am Jewish but I do not care I will still take care of the patient. These types of people have such a low self worth I actually feel sorry for them. Most tats again are an expression of personal journeys and I really like it when I ask about them and the patient takes me on their journey with the story behind the tat.