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Stevie · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 4:42 am Post subject: Discrimination

hey, i'm new on here. i've been with my workplace for almost 2 years now and i had tattoos (my visible ones are quite small)when i took the job. i'm a social worker/counsellor and i work with kids and troubled teens. a couple of months ago i went and got the tattoo on my arm extended (coloured stars). today i wore a short sleeve shirt to work (it's just getting warmer here) and my manager told me- in front of other people- that she will call a management meeting to address tattoo's at the workplace, that she will discuss changing our dress code policy (we don't currently have one) as she's 'not sure' she likes my tattoo. our receptionist had the balls to walk by and drop a comment 'stupid to get this thing done right down your arm'. the kids i work with love my stars and the different colours- they stand for fun and creativity. i do cover them up for certain meetings/ appointments like when i have to support somebody at court. tattoo's were never an issue at my work- i'm beginning to think this is personal... has anybody got some advice or has gone thru something similar? Confused

nicnivin · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:16 am Post subject:

Hey,
I would understand where your boss is coming from, if your tattoos were inappropriate for children. But based on what you said, they aren't. Since these tattoos don't seem to be scaring the kids, and you cover them for the more professional occasions, they shouldn't be an issue if there is no policy against them. Personally, i think they probably make you more appealing to the kids you work with, and if not, they probably aren't causing any harm. I'd suggest talking to your boss to find out why all of a sudden they're a problem. since there's no policy, and its not interfering with the kids safety and comfort it really shouldn't be as issue.
For me, i work in a long term care home, and have to take my piercings out, which isn't a problem since id rather take them out then get them accidentally pulled out, but comments have been made by both of my bosses about why "Pretty girls do that to yourselves." and at lunch there have been comments when the topic comes up. I've never had any serious action taken because my tattoos are easily hidden(side and hip), and my piercings get taken out, but the snide comments i could do without.

Stevie · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that.... I'm happy to cover them up if a policy gets put in place and yes, there shouldn't be an issue at this point. i had a little girl come in today who drew me a picture of a rainbow and stars, that felt good!
It was just really hard to go to work in a T-shirt after that and i found myself sorting through my clothes trying to find something 'appropriate' to wear. In the end I decided getting dressed to suit the weather..Maybe I'm too sensitive... My supervisor thinks I should carry on as normal and wait whether they put a policy in place or not. I was also told that my boss got other stuff going on and that's why she's the way she is at the moment.
I know what you mean, i could do without the comments and the judgment but it's nice when somebody reacts positively. What sort of piercings do you have? I had my tongue pierced for a few years and i still have 2 in my belly button.

nicnivin · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 12:03 am Post subject:

the piercings that can be seen are my lip(ring in the middle) my eyebrow(horizontal) and a stud in my nose. For me, i find at work i seem to get "picked on" so to speak about my piercings because i have more than my nose, we have alot of nurses that have their nose pierced, and no one ever seems to notice them.... Rolling Eyes

but oh well!

mmm36 · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 12:38 am Post subject:

My wife works a place where there are people going through all the time as its a supermarkert.
She wanted to get a tattoo on her wrist so before she got it she whe as high as she could with the question about having tattoo's showing.
As it worked out they had no policy and there was nothing coming back to her from any bosses so she got it.
And it is femilne to and looks good. And she has had heap of good comments about it. But the boss just above her tried to have words with her about it. So she threw all the info back in her face and that shut her up.
So if in doubt about a tattoo and your workplace it would be better to ask before getting one that will been seen by other easily.
My wife has never had any trouble from that one again. As she knows my wife does her homework first.