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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think its descrimination??

64 replies

charllie · 25/05/2012 22:09

I work with children, in a school run by the council. I have worked with children for 14 years and i'm qualified in what i do. I love what i do and i'm good at what i do too. What pisses me off is........the dress code! You're not allowed to wear something that would show cleavage - understandable, something too short - understandable, blue denim - apparently its not 'smart' and no vest tops. Other than that, people can wear what they want, apart from me! You see, i have tattoos and i'm not allowed to show them! I have to keep them covered up. Does having my tattoos on show suddenly mean i'm shit at my job, that i'm a bad person, what does it matter if i have tattoos. They're not offensive. I could understand if they were, but they're not. So in this weather, when its really hot, i'm having to wear cardigans or long sleeved tops so that i keep them covered, i'm having to wear trousers instead of a skirt or shorts. This really pisses me off. Surely its ok, even good, for children to see all types of people around them in a setting, because thats what they're going to see out in the streets, around the shops etc.

OP posts:

Original poster

charllie · 25/05/2012 22:54

TheSkiingGardener I never said i was ok with the jeans thing (and its only blue denim thats not allowed) that is actually in the policy.
squeakytoy so far, I have 7 tattoos, so not covered in them :)
GodisaDj F yep, just feeling pissed off about it, thats all :) i'm proud of my tattoos, love every single one of them! I have my daughters name on my wrist with a flower bracelet (i hate flowers, but she loves them and its for her sort of lol) leopard print butterflies, 3 rings on a chain (to represent past, present and future) and a few others :)

OP posts:

ReindeerBollocks · 25/05/2012 22:55

I agree with ilovesooty. If you covered them up during the interview, you were projecting a professional image in the hope of securing the position.

The employer was expecting this image to be maintained, so on that basis I think YABU. If the tattoos were a later addition or on show during the interview then you may have a stronger argument.

I don't think it's anything like actual discrimination FWIW and i think comparing this to discriminations of a serious nature is a bit OTT (not the OP, who was wondering if it was actually discrimination).

ReindeerBollocks · 25/05/2012 22:57

Worral be careful, we don't want you being sick because or the dizziness

WorraLiberty · 25/05/2012 22:59

You're right RB I'd better have another glass of wine

Original poster

charllie · 25/05/2012 23:00

Did someone say wine.....don't mind if i do

OP posts:

ImBetterThanYou · 25/05/2012 23:00

Yabu, it isnt discrimination. You chose to get the tattoos done you weren't born with them.

I agree that there is nothing wrong with having them on show, even in a classroom setting, but your employer doesn't like it and probably doesn't think you look professional with them on show so suck it up and stick to the dress code or find somewhere else to work.

babylann · 25/05/2012 23:03

I think generally by the age of 18 when people become legally able to get tattoos, they are aware that in doing so they become less employable in a professional sense, the same as bright pink hair and those big ear things which make holes in your lobes. If people make that choice, despite the evidence, then they can't get angry when it hinders their professional life.

The link to racism etc doesn't apply, because tattoos are an educated choice made by the individual, knowing how it may affect their futures.

And I think ReindeerBollocks put it well.

Original poster

charllie · 25/05/2012 23:03

i went to pick my DD up today from school and bumped into the headmistress from where i work, i was wearing blue denim shorts and a short sleeved top, so all of my tattoos on show, she did make a point of looking at my feet, don't think she was too impressed lol - have tattoos across them both and one going up my leg

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 25/05/2012 23:03

Bugger!

Right, there's one and 8 straws

Start sucking or lose out...as the Actress said to the Bishop.

Original poster

charllie · 25/05/2012 23:05

babylann i have those 'big ear things which make holes in your lobes' lol. I had them when i went for the interview.

OP posts:

Original poster

charllie · 25/05/2012 23:06

one glass, i'm hoping its a fishbowl???

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 25/05/2012 23:08

babylann i have those 'big ear things which make holes in your lobes' lol. I had them when i went for the interview

They can be a Godsend in an over crowded classroom

Take them out and the kids can see what you're writing on the board....

Original poster

charllie · 25/05/2012 23:13

hmmmm now thats an idea......but they're not actually that big (although big enough to make my mum feel sick - she's a wimp really lol)

OP posts:

babylann · 25/05/2012 23:14

DP has just informed me they're called flesh tunnels.

Can't believe I'm 24 and am so out of touch with "cool" already.

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