To ask if people in professional roles should have visible tattoos?

[BanginChoons]

Nurses, midwives, doctors, social workers, teachers?

Does it depend on the role? The tattoo? The placement of the tattoo?

Doesn't it matter at all or should they not have them at all?

Unless the tattoos are offensive (swastikas and whatnot) then YABU. I really couldn't care less as long as they remained professional and supportive in their roles.

I don't think it matters much in the professions you've listed.

That said, when I worked in a law firm it was made explicit that visible tats were inappropriate.

I personally find them utterly revolting, and my very personal issue is that when someone has a sleeve it hides their skin so you can't see if they are clean or not. So if it's someone taking your blood/doing a medical procedure or serving food, I find it really off putting and the colouring can sometimes just look grubby. But I also accept it's personal choice, and up to the individual. It doesn't affect someone's ability in the slightest and that's what counts.

As long as person can do their job competently and in a pleasant manner thats all that matters. I'm also a Dr. with a tattoo, its not visible but my job didn't influence that decision.

To me a tattoo is the same as a graphic t shirt, as long as it's not a racist, pornographic or otherwise intentionally offensive picture or message it doesn't matter to me as long as the person can do the job. Young man at work was told to change a t shirt proclaiming FUCK IT with corresponding stick figure graphic last week, it's not appropriate for our workplace where we have customers, some possibly accompanied by minors in and out all day. A visible tattoo proclaiming similar would warrant an instruction to cover it up. What people wear or put on their body is their own business but equally businesses have the right to impose whatever appearance/dress code they like too.

We've just promoted to professor a man who wears shorts and flip flops all year round, and has whatever the leg equivalent of a 'full sleeve' is on both legs. (A full legging? A trouser?

Really...really...with all the shit going on in the world,this is your biggest worry

Thank you, everyone who has said it doesn't matter. I have full sleeves and chest tattoos and I always wear long sleeves, high necks at work (civil service, policy) because I don't want people to judge me on my appearance, but on my ability. It's been really difficult this year in the warmer weather, so I might creep my (fabric) sleeves up a bit and see how I get on.

I don't want to scare any ministers though. They're quite delicate. ;-)

Really...really...with all the shit going on in the world,this is your biggest worry

Says you who has come onto the thread once just to say that, which in your own opinion makes you worse than the OP

When I taught (adults) and worked as holiday rep etc we had to cover them up if they showed.
I totally agree they should not be on display.

I don't like tatoos but so many people have them these days, I wouldn't worry about it.

I totally agree they should not be on display

Why on earth not? 😂

I totally agree they should not be on display.

I'm a nurse with a very obvious tattoo which could not be covered by my uniform, and I've met loads of nurses with tattoos. Would you rather be treated by someone with a tattoo or not looked after at all?

tbh, tattoos are so common these days that they are quite vanilla really

Well yes, I'm a 46 year old who mostly hangs out in the education section of MN - edgy, I'm not!

If you can't see the person beneath the tattoo, then surely that is your problem rather than theirs?

I'm covered in tattoos and piercings. I make it clear at interviews that I have a sleeve and ask what is an acceptable way to cover them (long sleeved top, cardigan etc) most potential employers aren't bothered, even in the fields mentioned, but they do advise I remove my nose ring for health and safety purposes (in that it could be caught or pulled out by a service user)
That's healthcare roles.

In my voluntary role I meet with potential funders, colleges, universities, MPs and so on and they care much less about what I'm wearing or my tattoos, piercings or hair colour, and much more about what I've got to say and contribute. So yes, YABU

Personally I don't really like tattos, but it's entirely up to individual what they do with their body.

But... and I am fully willing to accept that this is my own weirdness. There are some situations when i don't really want to know that someone has a personality or life outside of their job role , I want to deal with them in a purely professional/ impartial capacity - to me tattoos, bright hair colours etc..are indicative of individuality and personality, which is all good outside of work

For e.g. If I was going to the doctor about a sensitive topic, I just want The interaction to be purely professional, I don't want to be looking at their tattoos and imagining them doing normal stuff like getting pissed and having tattoos, especially if I'm feeling a little vulnerable.

I know as I am typing this i sounds vaguely ridiculous and it's hard to fully articulate what I mean, without sounding like I am stuck in some kind of Victorian time warp, but if I am being entirely honest I do think tattoos do detract from your credibility in some job roles.

So doctors can't be human?

Why shouldn't they be on display? I guess if they're sexually explicit or devils then they shouldn't be shown. Most tattoos are not like that.

I work with someone (my manager actually) who is tattooed everywhere but his neck, face and feet, so there's a lot showing on his hands, forearms etc. He's fabulous at his job, helpful professional and capable, and no one ever doubts him. I'd be baffled if they did!

I'm asking as I am planning on getting one, not because I think people shouldn't have them. I know what people in my social circle think but wanted a broader view. Thanks for the replies.

The military rules used to be not visible in formal uniform (so no hand/face/neck tattoos), no feet tattoos (think that one has gone now) and nothing offensive

For e.g. If I was going to the doctor about a sensitive topic, I just want The interaction to be purely professional, I don't want to be looking at their tattoos and imagining them doing normal stuff like getting pissed and having tattoos

If that's the thought process you have though how do you search it from everything. I mean if they have freshly washed hair for Instance that means they showered. Naked. Maybe even with their husband or wife. Perhaps they even had sex in the shower..

If your dr was pregnant oh god I bet she really needs to per is she listening to me or is she distracted by her baby playing football with her bladder

You could turn that through process to so many things...

They could be teetotal with a tattoo

Detach it from everything