Tattoos in the workplace

Published

The hospital I work at has a policy of no tattoos at work. Any tattoos that you do have must be covered up by clothing. I was wondering what other policies are out there. Are tattoos allowed? Is it enforced where you work? Do you like/hate the policy and how would you change it if you could?

To answer the question is has become very fashionable and most hospitals/LTC places no longer say anything, due to the discrimination issue.

How did you come up with this? What discrimination issue? If a facility policy is 'no visible tattoos', then the rule is not discriminatory at all. Now, if a facility said 'only butterfly tattoos will be permissible, and only skulls on alternate Thursdays'....THAT would be discriminatory.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pedi.
Bingo. Body art is a personal choice. What "art" is expressed? How about marijuana leafs.. is that ok? Skull and cross bones?We care for an aging population that hold a specific mindset on tattoos.

That is why administration frowns on tattoos. I am open minded.. I however do not want a care giver with certain tattoos. They speak volumes .

Who says we all care for an aging population? As an inner city pediatric nurse, I do not care for any patients that one would consider to be "aging." Heck, most of their parents are younger than I am and most of them are COVERED in tattoos. I can honestly say that visible tattoos would not cause a problem between ANY of our patients/families and their nurses. We do have one patient whose family is very religious (Orthodox Jewish) but I do not think the parents would have a problem with the nurse... the kids (who are not aware that there are people who don't share their worldview) would just be wont to blurt out "aren't you worried you won't go to Heaven with that tattoo?"

That say, I've worked with people with visible tattoos in every environment I've worked in (hospital, home care, school) and nowhere has had a policy about it that I've been aware of. Plenty of the hospital nurses I worked with had neck and wrist tattoos. I heard patients/parents compliment them on their tattoos and never heard anyone make negative comments on it. But, again, I work with a young population and live in a very liberal area.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Transplant.

I'm pretty certain our policy says that they have to be covered up. Doesn't seem to be an issue on my unit - I know that people have mentioned having them but they must be in easily concealed spots. Other units where I work (ER and trauma) seem to have a lot more visible ones. Given that we don't have a strict dress code at all and a lot of people wear earrings other than studs, crazy colored running shoes, etc I almost have a feeling that if someone came in with a visible but non offensive tattoo one day no one would particularly care/try to enforce the policy.

I don't have any tattoos (no real plans to get one, either - afraid that I wouldn't like it years down the road) but as I'm trying to transition into a nurse practitioner role I don't think it would be the smartest move. I don't mind them myself - actually think some people pull them off awesomely (of course not everyone :yes:) but feel that whether people like to hear this or not, they can definitely be seen as unprofessional/offensive/etc and possibly limit career options.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Who says we all care for an aging population? As an inner city pediatric nurse, I do not care for any patients that one would consider to be "aging." Heck, most of their parents are younger than I am and most of them are COVERED in tattoos. I can honestly say that visible tattoos would not cause a problem between ANY of our patients/families and their nurses. We do have one patient whose family is very religious (Orthodox Jewish) but I do not think the parents would have a problem with the nurse... the kids (who are not aware that there are people who don't share their worldview) would just be wont to blurt out "aren't you worried you won't go to Heaven with that tattoo?"

That say, I've worked with people with visible tattoos in every environment I've worked in (hospital, home care, school) and nowhere has had a policy about it that I've been aware of. Plenty of the hospital nurses I worked with had neck and wrist tattoos. I heard patients/parents compliment them on their tattoos and never heard anyone make negative comments on it. But, again, I work with a young population and live in a very liberal area.

In general we care for an aging population.... there is that better?

I work from home.. I could do it naked with head to toe tats. However I am a always a nurse.

When I occasionally have to go to the office or to a seminar... etc. I am representing nursing.

I feel tattoos do not present nurses in a professional image.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

My former facility had a "tattoos must be covered" policy that wasn't enforced at all. Which makes me wonder why they have one. I don't know if there is a policy where I am now, but I am pretty sure that if you have visible tats, you won't even make it through the interview process

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm covered in tattoos, I definitely don't feel they are tacky in any way whatsoever. I actually have spent thousands on my ink as I did my research and found a really great artist who actually put a lot of thought and detail into my pieces. My work doesn't care about tattoos showing.. I have never heard any older person complain about them either. Everyone walks around with them exposed. Now, with all that being said, I still wear long sleeves to work regardless. I feel much more professional with them covered and honestly I'd rather not have my tattoos be the focus of anything work related. I'm not there to converse about them or talk about their meanings or let them be a distraction for any reason... I'm there to work. Not only that, but I'd rather wear long sleeves and have that little extra barrier between body fluids and my skin.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm covered in tattoos, I definitely don't feel they are tacky in any way whatsoever. I actually have spent thousands on my ink as I did my research and found a really great artist who actually put a lot of thought and detail into my pieces. My work doesn't care about tattoos showing.. I have never heard any older person complain about them either. Everyone walks around with them exposed. Now, with all that being said, I still wear long sleeves to work regardless. I feel much more professional with them covered and honestly I'd rather not have my tattoos be the focus of anything work related. I'm not there to converse about them or talk about their meanings or let them be a distraction for any reason... I'm there to work. Not only that, but I'd rather wear long sleeves and have that little extra barrier between body fluids and my skin.

Although the majority of what you said was on the side of 'they are no big deal, they're even terrific'....the comments of yours I bolded and emphasized is really what's telling, and is the ENTIRE crux of the debate.

When it boils down to it, the reason you feel more professional with your arm tattoos covered is because NOT displaying visible tattoos IS more professional. Appearance, and what it conveys.

That's the entire point, and it seems when push comes to shove....you agree.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Although the majority of what you said was on the side of 'they are no big deal, they're even terrific'....the comments of yours I bolded and emphasized is really what's telling, and is the ENTIRE crux of the debate.

When it boils down to it, the reason you feel more professional with your arm tattoos covered is because NOT displaying visible tattoos IS more professional. Appearance, and what it conveys.

That's the entire point, and it seems when push comes to shove....you agree.

That's exactly what I said. It's NOT professional, the same as wearing low cut shirts, anything see through, tight form fitting clothes, fake eyelashes, etc. There's a certain time and place for everything and when I'm at work I'm an RN and I play the role and I have no problem doing so :) I can express myself on my own time. My comment about my tattoos was aimed towards those commenting about them being tacky, because I don't think they are. They also aren't professional the same as flip flops and ripped jeans wouldn't be when going to an interview.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

They have to be covered at my workplace.

While seemingly more acceptable with younger generations in general, my daughter works as a barista at Starbucks and tattoos have to be covered. Serving coffee.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care Pediatrics.

Visible ink has no bearing on the professional abilities of a nurse. That ED nurse with the sleeves can give me chest compressions any time. :inlove:

I have three tattoos - two that are always covered for the most part (one is on my ankle) - and one that is on my wrist. It's maybe 2.3" long and maybe 1.5" across. Three arrows. I sometimes cover it and sometimes I don't. I have never once had a patient or their family give it any notice except to compliment me on it and ask me what it meant. ;) I work in a large metro children's hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
That's exactly what I said. It's NOT professional, the same as wearing low cut shirts, anything see through, tight form fitting clothes, fake eyelashes, etc.

Oh, NOW you're just going too far! Who says I can't be a GREAT nurse while wearing see-through, skin-tight clothing...AND false eyelashes? I think you need to get with the times, LOL... ;) :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Oh, NOW you're just going too far! Who says I can't be a GREAT nurse while wearing see-through, skin-tight clothing...AND false eyelashes? I think you need to get with the times, LOL... ;) :)

Lol you just might get a tip!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion