Tattoos and Piercings in the Workplace

[lipstixgal]

Well Sassyleo I am a medical assistant and have no visible piercings except for the ears and no tattoos. The lady I'm doing my internship for is very conservative so is the practice. Its family medicine and geriatrics so I guess that the medical assistant doesn't care about her piercings or her job would be in jeopardy!! I for one am not going to get tatted or pierced in the future because I don't know what kind of job the future holds for me.

[Linus]

I wanted to add in one other thought: it may also depend on the kind of tattoo it is. Fairies, flags, plants, religious icons, etc. tend to be ok. More violent (e.g., swearing, killing, skulls, etc.) and/or "nekkid" tattoos in particular would probably cause some "backlash".

[SassyLeo]

Originally Posted by MrSunshine

I don't want a surgeon with "KILLA" across their knuckles but other than that I could care less.
One of the girls that runs a primary care unit at a V.A I go to is covered in both. I think it's hot. But most of all she rocks at her job.

HA! Killa! I might agree on that point.

I think tattoos are hot as well! And it is interesting that I have less judgment about them...

Originally Posted by Linus

I wanted to add in one other thought: it may also depend on the kind of tattoo it is. Fairies, flags, plants, religious icons, etc. tend to be ok. More violent (e.g., swearing, killing, skulls, etc.) and/or "nekkid" tattoos in particular would probably cause some "backlash".

I would hope we wouldn't hire a nurse with a racist (or sexist, etc) tattoos, but who knows. I mean, RN's are in SUPER demand right now. I guess if they can be covered up and the person is willing to?

That brings up a good point... would folks be more offended or have more judgment if the tattoos were seriously gross or offensive?

[SassyLeo]

Originally Posted by Linus

I often end up facing some pretty conservative types and have at least one visible tattoo (back of my neck) and my eyebrow piercing visible. Never had a complaint and if anything, it's created a great conversation piece.

Piercings are similar to tattoos in that once, healed they should be fine. If you have pierced ears, are they not clean and healed? (serious question)

As for health care, I'd be fine. I'm there for their knowledge and compassion -- not their looks. I've met some who have no tattoos or piercing and are worse in their behaviour/hygiene than those with.

Erin has visible tattoos and a nose ring...she also works in IT. And in her work environment, she also gets to wear shorts and t-shirts everyday. Do you think that IT has a different concept about these things?

Originally Posted by Isadora

How people decorate their bodies is their own personal work of art is great. I remember telling Hawk once after hy had a conversation with someone with piercings all over her face to not look at the piercings and make judgments but to look at her eyes and listen to her. Then you can decide how professional she is or is not....

Believe me it is not just tatts and piercings..I have been told how I look (being zaftig) I would not be taken seriously as a professional. Ha!

Isa- thanks for both comments. You always have great wisdom

Originally Posted by lipstixgal

Well Sassyleo I am a medical assistant and have no visible piercings except for the ears and no tattoos. The lady I'm doing my internship for is very conservative so is the practice. Its family medicine and geriatrics so I guess that the medical assistant doesn't care about her piercings or her job would be in jeopardy!! I for one am not going to get tatted or pierced in the future because I don't know what kind of job the future holds for me.

Yes, I thought about that. I mean, we hired the person, piercings and all. We must have liked her enough to hire her. And she wouldn't have a job if we got complaints.

Good thoughts. Thanks.

[Linus]

Originally Posted by SassyLeo

Erin has visible tattoos and a nose ring...she also works in IT. And in her work environment, she also gets to wear shorts and t-shirts everyday. Do you think that IT has a different concept about these things?

Some parts of IT, yes. Parts that are not customer facing don't really care. They are more interested in ability than looks (the old BOFH was not know for hygiene or fashion sense).

[Waldo]

My first thought was "how is a nose piercing any less clean/healed than an ear piercing"?

There is a strata. And it's stupid. Sorry Sassy. I hear that it's your gut reaction and I'm not trying to jump down your throat for it.

My feeling on the notion is as follows and this is from someone who's both been there and done that:

I no longer care to work for any company who places value judgements about their employees or potential employees based on physical appearance.

Know why? Cause it doesn't stop at tattoos and piercings.

It doesn't stop at fat
It doesn't stop at fey appearing
It doesn't stop at butch appearing
It doesn't stop at balding
It doesn't stop at short
It doesn't stop at women
It doesn't stop at latino/a
It doesn't stop at black
It doesn't stop.

[SassyLeo]

Originally Posted by Waldo

My first thought was "how is a nose piercing any less clean/healed than an ear piercing"?

There is a strata. And it's stupid. Sorry Sassy. I hear that it's your gut reaction and I'm not trying to jump down your throat for it.

My feeling on the notion is as follows and this is from someone who's both been there and done that:

I no longer care to work for any company who places value judgements about their employees or potential employees based on physical appearance.

Know why? Cause it doesn't stop at tattoos and piercings.

It doesn't stop at fat
It doesn't stop at fey appearing
It doesn't stop at butch appearing
It doesn't stop at balding
It doesn't stop at short
It doesn't stop at women
It doesn't stop at latino/a
It doesn't stop at black
It doesn't stop.

Thankfully I know you well enough to know you are not jumping down my throat . And I get your point.

I'm still trying to figure out where my feelings on this stem from...because I also have feelings about general appearance in the workplace, not necessarily related to tattoos and piercings. Like, we have a woman here who, despite consistent reminders about the company policy, wears flip flops to work (the cheap kind you buy at Old Navy for $2- which I also own but do not wear to work...) I personally think it is unprofessional, given the kind of work she does...

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by SassyLeo

Thankfully I know you well enough to know you are not jumping down my throat . And I get your point.

I'm still trying to figure out where my feelings on this stem from...because I also have feelings about general appearance in the workplace, not necessarily related to tattoos and piercings. Like, we have a woman here who, despite consistent reminders about the company policy, wears flip flops to work (the cheap kind you buy at Old Navy for $2- which I also own but do not wear to work...) I personally think it is unprofessional, given the kind of work she does...

Yeah, see there's the difference for me. Physical appearance versus accessories.

Shoes? easy peasy to change.

Tattoos and piercings? Easy to cover up most.

Clothing? Easy.

Jewelry? Easy.

Of course none of it is easy if leadership is afraid to enforce the rules it made.

[sweetfemme247]

I work in a wear house so i can wear what i want and i can have tattoos