I was wondering what people feel about tattoos and piercings for social workers, are they appropriate, should be covered if possible, or not and is there a dress code or somesuch for them? Do they affect your job prospects, and say if you had one on your arm would you always have to wear long sleeves? What about a tattoo with a religious expression for example?
Hard and fast rule for tats: If you can cover it up when working then its fine, if not then it may well effect your job prospects. People will make judgments if you have exposed tats and this may impact on your relationship with service users. i dont belive this myself but its how people think when interviewing so its worth keeping in mind.
I would like to get a little ink in the summer, but on my lower calf muscle. Easy to cover up with a pair of trousers, which i wear all the time in anyway, and I wouldnt wear anything shorter to work. If I'm not in work and wearing something which shows it then thats fine.
For piercings its a bit more difficult. I think women can get away with a bit more but still keeping them few in number and subtle is probably the key.
"We speak, and the word goes out beyond us, to consequences and ends which we had not conceived of." - Gadamer
I would suggest that anyone with tattoos and piercings should be immediately sacked from social work, without appeal. Those unsightly additions only cause distraction from the very serious nature of socail work. I include earlings, belly bars, those awfull stick on tattoos and the like.
Such a measure would ensure that only clean living, responsible individuals come into social work.
Perish the thought, next they will be letting in people who wear glasses!!!
I think we should all have a Tatoo that says "At least i am not an M.P.!"
I am really astounded at the comment the bulldog Allan has made about social workers with Tattoos and Piercings and social worker these social workers are being nothing less than gutter snips and criminals and that we are not law abinding citiizens who work in a very extremally stressful job and have done in my case for over 21yrs, and yes I have a number of Tatts that I am fully aware of the need to hide/cover up when necessary and dressing accordingly, What is bulldog Allan on about sacking good workers who have Tatts ect when there is a major shortage of social workers.
What would Ed Ball say!!!!
Maybe SW should have the Code of Practise inked onto their back!!!
Adra:Maybe SW should have the Code of Practise inked onto their back!!!
Oops, nearly forgot, I was advocating sacking all those with tattoos etc, so best not go with Adra's idea. Could I add to my immediate sacking list, men with sandals and pony tails, people who bring healthy lunches to work (you know who you are) and people with eyebrows that meet in the middle.
Tattood SW:I am really astounded at the comment the bulldog Allan has made about social workers with Tattoos and Piercings and social worker
I am really astounded at the comment the bulldog Allan has made about social workers with Tattoos and Piercings and social worker
I would like to hand stitch the code of practice to ed balls back.
Bambam01:I would like to hand stitch the code of practice to ed balls back.
LOL
I was tempted to edit the post and remove the last word and add 's to ed but had second thoughts.
Bulldog Allan:Oops, nearly forgot, I was advocating sacking all those with tattoos etc, so best not go with Adra's idea. Could I add to my immediate sacking list, men with sandals and pony tails, people who bring healthy lunches to work (you know who you are)
Oh no i've been sacked before i have even managed to get a job lol. Standing in the corner holding my hands up I have a tattoo, I wear glasses (thinking of contacts) and yes i admit it tuna salad for my lunch.
OH THE SHAME
See ive seen a piercing I like and I want it but people may find it scary, its not easy to hide but it is cool and useful.
This is the one.
What you think could I pull that off as a social worker?
Adra: See ive seen a piercing I like and I want it but people may find it scary, its not easy to hide but it is cool and useful. This is the one. What you think could I pull that off as a social worker?
ooch
Adra:See ive seen a piercing I like and I want it but people may find it scary, its not easy to hide but it is cool and useful. This is the one. What you think could I pull that off as a social worker?
Oh my word, that looks painfull in many ways, bet it would cost a fortune.
cazcaz: Bulldog Allan:Oops, nearly forgot, I was advocating sacking all those with tattoos etc, so best not go with Adra's idea. Could I add to my immediate sacking list, men with sandals and pony tails, people who bring healthy lunches to work (you know who you are) Oh no i've been sacked before i have even managed to get a job lol. Standing in the corner holding my hands up I have a tattoo, I wear glasses (thinking of contacts) and yes i admit it tuna salad for my lunch. OH THE SHAME
Thanks for you honesty Cazcaz, I think we can make one or two exceptions, but only if you stop eating that HEALTHY rubbish, what sort of example is that. I'm afraid its a career in SW management for you.
i mean it's up to you really, my attitude was that if they weren't accepting of my tattoo's then i didn't want to work for them! though i did nearly chicken out and cover up on the day of my interview. i'm not covered in tattoo's but do have visible ones on my lower arm and feet and just think that social work is so much about accepting others regardless of our differences from them, individuality, respect etc that tattoo's and piercings shouldn't matter, however i wouldn't be convinced that all employers will agree!
Bulldog Alan,
you really make me laugh and we know we all need that in SW. Wish you worked in my team-we would let you in even if you had a tattoo and a tuna salad.
Twitchell:Bulldog Alan, you really make me laugh and we know we all need that in SW. Wish you worked in my team-we would let you in even if you had a tattoo and a tuna salad.
I am - I'm the one with the witty retort, the quick response and smile. I am the one you all moan at for talking too much in the team meeting, but you know in your heart that many haeds are better than one with difficult cases. I am the one who remains optimistic and reminds all that change is the most constant thing in life, but not as constant as social work. I am the one who at times strays a little bit the wrong side of PC. I am the one who can be a little cynical, yet will battle for the best possible outcome. I am the one you talk to when you have an issue, even though you understand that at times I have a slightly inflated ego, yet you forgive me this trait as you know I will listen and help you find the options. If I were in your team, you would all get fat due to the increased number of curries at lunch time, although we would have to swing it with the boss to send someone to get the food.
So yes, I am in your team already, although there are bits of me spread around everyone. That's what a team should be.
Bulldog Allan: Twitchell: Bulldog Alan, you really make me laugh and we know we all need that in SW. Wish you worked in my team-we would let you in even if you had a tattoo and a tuna salad. I am - I'm the one with the witty retort, the quick response and smile. I am the one you all moan at for talking too much in the team meeting, but you know in your heart that many haeds are better than one with difficult cases. I am the one who remains optimistic and reminds all that change is the most constant thing in life, but not as constant as social work. I am the one who at times strays a little bit the wrong side of PC. I am the one who can be a little cynical, yet will battle for the best possible outcome. I am the one you talk to when you have an issue, even though you understand that at times I have a slightly inflated ego, yet you forgive me this trait as you know I will listen and help you find the options. If I were in your team, you would all get fat due to the increased number of curries at lunch time, although we would have to swing it with the boss to send someone to get the food. So yes, I am in your team already, although there are bits of me spread around everyone. That's what a team should be.
Twitchell: Bulldog Alan, you really make me laugh and we know we all need that in SW. Wish you worked in my team-we would let you in even if you had a tattoo and a tuna salad.
Bulldog Allan
Dont worry if there is a invite for curry i am the first out the door. Eat healthy food to balance the junk boy could i go a curry.
My personal view is if we want people to take the profession seriously and treat professionals with respect we should look professional at all times and that means covering indiscreet tattoo and piercings. In some areas it may be 'cool' eg youth work, but not with the wide range of cliental and other agencies we work with. I'm not proposing we all wear suits although if your'e appearing in eg court that is professional. But some basic standards in dress code are just sensible. Just because we are in Social Work it is no excuse and that goes for e.g mini skirts and other attire which is not appropriate not just piercings and tattoos, but that is just my point of view and I am an experienced practitioner. No doubt there's some minded practitioner out there who will argue discrimination .
Do I have to wear 'sage and beige' if I work with older people? No. How about a social worker with a pony tail, a long enough beard to guarantee membership of ZZ Top, who's also a member of a motorbike club? (Not me but a friend - honest!) He does a fantastic job, and that's all that matters. Tattoos and piercings? Check whoever you are thinking of working for has a 'dress code' policy lurking somewhere.
I do think you have to have a sense of humour to keep you going through the thick of it. I finish my final 3rd yr placement this Friday and I'll be signing on the dole on Monday, my job on the side making floating duckhouses hasn't taken off - I've no idea why....
mivvy: I do think you have to have a sense of humour to keep you going through the thick of it. I finish my final 3rd yr placement this Friday and I'll be signing on the dole on Monday, my job on the side making floating duckhouses hasn't taken off - I've no idea why....
teehee lovin it!!
I'd buy one.. if I had a garden..
mivvy: my job on the side making floating duckhouses hasn't taken off - I've no idea why....
my job on the side making floating duckhouses hasn't taken off - I've no idea why....
So cute!
Hi Mivvy
Any chance you could build me a draw bridge to span the width of ones moat.
Abbey:My personal view is if we want people to take the profession seriously and treat professionals with respect we should look professional at all times and that means covering indiscreet tattoo and piercings. In some areas it may be 'cool' eg youth work, but not with the wide range of cliental and other agencies we work with. I'm not proposing we all wear suits although if your'e appearing in eg court that is professional. But some basic standards in dress code are just sensible. Just because we are in Social Work it is no excuse and that goes for e.g mini skirts and other attire which is not appropriate not just piercings and tattoos
Hi Abbey, I completely see your point and to a certain extent i agree with your view. I am a student Social Worker, 2nd year and I have no piercings but I do have tattoo's which are large and represent my value base, outlook and beliefs, but they are fairly discreet. I have a Maori inspired shoulders and an upper arm piece that finishes by my left elbow and on my right side I have a tribal shoulder and upper arm tattoo, on the back of my neck I have a Budhist scripture and they are all visible except when I am dressed in formal attire I.e. Shirt, Collar and Tie for court or some other occasion, which saddens me to an extent that society subtley extpects us to conform and 'play the part'. But as a student, I am learning how to play the game when working and advocating or representing S/U's and the power of image etc..
On a personal level, my tattoo's are a mark of my inner self, considering I didn't have my first one until I was 34 (I am now 38) It took me a long time to find out and accept who I am, anyway, I see it as no different than when a Woman or Man chooses to wear make up and mask their true self with face paint/make-up! To me it is also a cultural thing, in New Zealand or a similar cultures, Tattoo's and Piercings a widely accepted part of life. Mine also include very discreet Anarchist symbols and Worker Solidarity symbols, but they are discreet and keep me grounded to the person I am, one which I beleive, is in touch with real life and where I come from (I am not suggesting you are not, please don't think I am lol) x. The Bhudist thing reminds me of the months I spent in Nepal which to me was a very important time.
Anyway, just thought I'd add my thoughts to the discussion, oh and I do like the idea of having the Codes of Practice tattoo'd on my back lol :-)
Heh, I have to agree with you Bulldog Allan - after all we are just human like the rest of the world!
As for the religious tatts, I think if I was visiting a family with a different religion to me I would be respecting them as people regardless of their religion, so in that way a religious tattoo wouldn't make a difference! However, if I felt that it may make S.U's uncomfortable in someway then I would make an effort to cover it up.
After all, It would be bad practice to imply that because someone has a tattoo/piercing, that makes them an incompetent professional. Or, more importantly, less of a good person.This view clearly applies to S.U's also - would we as S.W's judge them based on their choice of appearence? If we are, then why? and should we be doing this? (no we shoudn't in my view).
Em.
Hello,
Having read this fascinating thread I'm writing a feature about social workers with tattoos for one of Community Care's August editions.
Ideally I'd like to interview some social workers with tattoos over the phone about their experiences and views - specifically about how having tattoos may have affected their social work practice - and include these quotes in the article. People are welcome to remain anonymous or I can use their CareSpace name.
If you'd like to take part or have any questions then please contact me on 020 8652 4824 or Anabel.Unity.Sale@rbi.co.uk. I'm working on the article this week and next so need to hear from people ASAP please.
Alternatively, I may use some of the comments made in this thread as people have made some interesting points.
Regards,
Anabel Unity Sale
Senior writer, Community Care
~ The race goes not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running ~
Not heard of Irony then?
what about small ear studs
"I see the skies, I see your eyes I see the cars all passing by I'm staying here, with you my dear"
Perhaps I'm arriving a year late...
But i'm a guy just about to undertake Social Work Masters and I have a labret piercing (bottom lip centre), i'm not overly keen on the idea of removing it, but at the same time don't want the whole snap judgement not being taken seriously thing.
Any thought or similar experiences?
I have seen social workers COVERED in tatoos, workers with more piercings than you can imagine, even a few with dreadlocks who will openly say they haven't brushed or even washed their hair in years. To me the great thing about social work is that we work with people.... and everyone is different and we must surely need to represent that within our workforce. Be who you are and appear how you like. As long as there is nothing inappropriate I am sure many social work managers have seen worse and wont make it affect your job prospects.
That's good to hear! Though now I wish I hadn't got rid of my dreadlocks... ;)
As a manager with no tats or piercings, I can't see that there is a problem.
However there will be times when you are representing service users outside of your work place where the way you look does count. It probably shouldn't but in reality it does. So, for example, if you were going to court you might want to consider the rest of your dress. So the piercing along with something smart (and that doesn't mean a suit) might give a different impression than if you turn up in jeans and a t -shirt and piercings.
Thanks for that.
I was thinking along similar lines. Dress smartly where needed and always professionally and it should not be to much of an issue. Thanks for clarifying, I would seek to ask the manager if that saw it as being problamatic in anyway. Now just the small matter of two years learning the trade.
I have had an eyebrow peircing for more years than I care to remember - long before I started training in 1999, going on to qualify, entering Social Work, promotion to Senior, acting Team Manager and some locuming. It has never been an issue with my employers or colleagues. A couple of carers may have raised some eyebrows when they first met me, but in my experience, service users, families and young people are far more interested in genuine-ness and getting results than a little decor. Having said that, I do dress professionally. Interesting threads here though, funny :-)) xx