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?

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

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.

Actually for Maori its more cultural than religious

And it doesn't put them in a protected class either. We have had many cases in the last few years where Maori job applicants have been turned down because of their ta moko (tattoo)

[Alex_RN, BSN]

...patients or other staff can ask us to cover our tattoos if they are offended by them.

I am pretty sure this is referring to the content of the tattoo, not the fact of the tattoo. You know, swastikas, racist, profane, erotic images. Stuff like that. Basically, tattoos are not protected speech.

I wanted a nursing tattoo since nursing school but I did not want to jinx anything before I became an RN. Now that I know that tattoo ink turns up in lymph nodes...nope.

Synchrotron-based ν-XRF mapping and μ-FTIR microscopy enable to look into the fate and effects of tattoo pigments in human skin | Scientific Reports

[NurseBlaq]

I am pretty sure this is referring to the content of the tattoo, not the fact of the tattoo. You know, swastikas, racist, profane, erotic images. Stuff like that. Basically, tattoos are not protected speech.

I wanted a nursing tattoo since nursing school but I did not want to jinx anything before I became an RN. Now that I know that tattoo ink turns up in lymph nodes...nope.

Synchrotron-based ν-XRF mapping and μ-FTIR microscopy enable to look into the fate and effects of tattoo pigments in human skin | Scientific Reports

This too Some Tattoo Inks Can Burn You During an MRI

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Smart News | Smithsonian

[Daisy Joyce]

I've worked with Coptic Orthodox who have a cross tattooed on their inner wrist.

I can't remember anyone having an issue over it.

[Farawyn]

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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I love you.

[DextersDisciple, BSN, RN]

One of my tattoos is visible on my arm but it's "tasteful" (won't go into detail as it could Reveal my true identity) so I actually Receive compliments form both staff and patients. I also work in an urban hospital where tattoos and piercings are seen more often than not.

[Aunt Slappy]

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.

This is just bias, plain and simple.

[Possum_RN]

"covered as much as possible" seems like kind of a flimsy policy to me: lots of wiggle room there. Maybe you should cover your tat with a transparent dressing and see what they say? Maybe TWO transparent dressings!

I'm nearly 30 - I'm trying to figure out what to get as my first tattoo for my 30th birthday. I'm ALWAYS cold, so covering up my arms is a non-issue for me. Probably as many coworkers have seen my upper arms as have seen my thighs - that is to say, none.

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

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.

Same. I have a few real hippie nurses who have lotus flowers, daisies etc on thier arms. Both are fantastic nurses and one is working on become a MCHN with a goal of working with Aboriginal communities.

As long as they work well as a team and the tats are not offensive who cares.

I have a sneaky suspicion our deputy CEO is hiding ink as he never wears short sleeves or rolls his sleeves up even on 44C days when he runs up and down stairs.

[Farawyn]

One of my tattoos is visible on my arm but it's "tasteful" (won't go into detail as it could Reveal my true identity) so I actually Receive compliments form both staff and patients. I also work in an urban hospital where tattoos and piercings are seen more often than not.

This is such a non issue where I am, and who is to say what is "tasteful"? Art is subjective.

[DextersDisciple, BSN, RN]

This is such a non issue where I am, and who is to say what is "tasteful"? Art is subjective.

It's not an issue, I was saying it's quite the contrary. I picked the word tasteful because I don't want to give away what is depicted. People can call it whatever subjective adjective they want, it's still going to be visible because I like it.

[KB4848]

"covered as much as possible" seems like kind of a flimsy policy to me: lots of wiggle room there. Maybe you should cover your tat with a transparent dressing and see what they say? Maybe TWO transparent dressings!

That's what I'm sayin, and honestly what would happen if someone came up to me and told me to cover my tattoo and I didn't have anything to cover it with? Would I have to abandon my patients and be sent home? The sleeve I used to wear in nursing school to cover it drew more attention to my arm than my actual tattoo ever did, haha, people would ask me what was wrong with my arm all the time. I just think it's all quite silly honestly.