Hospital tells employees to cover up tattoos and piercings

Here's a new twist: Ottawa Hospital is telling staff members with tattoos and piercings to cover up -- even if they aren't dealing with the public or food. A new dress code policy implemented last month requires all staff to conceal visible tattoos and remove "excessive" body piercings.

"I have no problem with the (hospital asking) people with piercings to remove them if they're in food preparation, or if they're in direct patient care, but other than that, I think it's up to individuals to decide what jewelry they want to wear," CUPE Chief Steward Steve Driskell told the Ottawa Citizen.

Some workers who have defied the dress code have been given verbal warnings. Others have been sent home, Driskell said.

dallan@cupe.ca

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