HSE tells staff to dress 'modestly' or face dismissal

Slurryface

The HSE has a deficit of €370,000,000 so far this year, figures published yesterday show that 10,000 service users were assaulted, abused, or threatened last year (http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/1010/1224325094663.html), but apparently their biggest concern is female staff wearing skin tight clothing, low cut tops and tattoos!

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/hse-tells-staff-to-dress-modestly-or-face-dismissal-3255614.html

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

if nurses dressed like that (low cut tops etc.) I'd be in hospital a lot more often.

brandon_flowers

The senior people that run the HSE are a shower of cvnts and not only for this above. James Reilly is the biggest one. That is all.

galwayrush

brandon_flowers wrote: »

The senior people that run the HSE are a shower of cvnts and not only for this above. James Reilly is the biggest one. That is all.

Even bigger than Mary Harney?

Pherekydes

Slurryface wrote: »

The HSE has a deficit of €370,000,000 so far this year, figures published yesterday show that 10,000 service users were assaulted, abused, or threatened last year (http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/1010/1224325094663.html), but apparently their biggest concern is female staff wearing skin tight clothing, low cut tops and tattoos!

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/hse-tells-staff-to-dress-modestly-or-face-dismissal-3255614.html

How do you infer that that's their biggest concern?

Most HSE staff would be professionally turned out, which seems sensible to me.

Monty Burnz

Seems perfectly reasonable:

He added: "The Mid Western Regional Hospitals Group believes employees should be professional in appearance and in attitude to their work at all times and should not place themselves or patients at risk in relation to health, safety, infection control or in any situation causing potential embarrassment."

He also said dress codes were commonplace in most large institutions and firms. The idea of formalising a code "is that all concerned clearly know what is acceptable and what is not".

Just because the administrators aren't meeting budget targets does not mean that staff should be coming to work in belly tops and mini-skirts. You wouldn't get away with it in a real company, would you?

phasers

In fairness I don't want some slapper taking a blood sample from me.

There is a ban on short mini-skirts and low-cut T-shirts as well as backless tops or dress garments which reveal excessive cleavage or midriff.

Halter-neck tops, skin-tight clothing, micro-skirts and low-cut dresses are also deemed inappropriate.

Staff must remove artificial nails, nail jewellery, nail polish and hide any tattoos they have.

Seems reasonable to me.

Whatever happened to hospital staff wearing scrubs or some kind of uniform?

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

phasers wrote: »

Whatever happened to hospital staff wearing scrubs or some kind of uniform?

everyone started watching porn.

Zebra3

galwayrush wrote: »

Even bigger than Mary Harney?

Retired.

Bless her. :rolleyes:

Chuck Stone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlWvk5CUD5w

philologos

Slurryface wrote: »

The HSE has a deficit of €370,000,000 so far this year, figures published yesterday show that 10,000 service users were assaulted, abused, or threatened last year (http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/1010/1224325094663.html), but apparently their biggest concern is female staff wearing skin tight clothing, low cut tops and tattoos!

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/hse-tells-staff-to-dress-modestly-or-face-dismissal-3255614.html

It's an entirely fair request. An employer has every right to ask employees to wear clothes which are suitable for work.

Tombi!

Apart from the nail polish thing, it just seems "please don't dress like you're going to a nightclub".

I wonder if the lads can get away with tattoos?

anmhi02

Where for the love of god is this happening?? The majority of hospitals have staff wearing tunic tops and trousers or in my place of work, scrubs. Completely agree from an infection control point of view, about not wearing nail varnish, false nails etc but I have yet to see a nurse looking like a "slapper".

suicide_circus

Where is this slutty hospital that i may come down with a severe bout of Sexlexia

mawk

Brutal Deluxe wrote: »

Apart from the nail polish thing, it just seems "please don't dress like you're going to a nightclub".

I wonder if the lads can get away with tattoos?

no the nail polish makes sense too. they try to work in a sterile environment and I'd rather not have flakes of nail polish in my food/wound dressings.

same reason you can't have it in clean rooms making medical great or electronics

Tombi!

mawk wrote: »

no the nail polish makes sense too. they try to work in a sterile environment and I'd rather not have flakes of nail polish in my food/wound dressings.

same reason you can't have it in clean rooms making medical great or electronics

Never thought of it that way. Then again I'm a jobless scrounger

Good point. But even aside from that, I think it honestly is "dress like you're at work and not a club".

SEPT 23 1989

dismissal?

I would give them a large bonus

Slurryface

phasers wrote: »

In fairness I don't want some slapper taking a blood sample from me.


Seems reasonable to me.

Whatever happened to hospital staff wearing scrubs or some kind of uniform?

Personally I've seen seen an accounts clerk or receptionist in scrubs myself, but I fail to see how banning nail polish is anything other than petty sexism!

Slurryface

mawk wrote: »

no the nail polish makes sense too. they try to work in a sterile environment and I'd rather not have flakes of nail polish in my food/wound dressings.

same reason you can't have it in clean rooms making medical great or electronics

Since when do receptionists, office clerks, admin staff etc work in a sterile enviroment?
Some people posting seem to think that the HSE only employ doctors and nurses. Even then would you refuse to attend a GP because she paints her fingernails?

Tombi!

Slurryface wrote: »

Since when do receptionists, office clerks, admin staff etc work in a sterile enviroment?
Some people posting seem to think that the HSE only employ doctors and nurses. Even then would you refuse to attend a GP because she paints her fingernails?

It's still a hospital. At the end of the day it's best to try to maintain as sterile a place as possible.

Slurryface

Brutal Deluxe wrote: »

It's still a hospital. At the end of the day it's best to try to maintain as sterile a place as possible.

Please Oh please explain to me how a tattoo being visible, or how wearing nail varnish affects sterility?

Tombi!

Slurryface wrote: »

Please Oh please explain to me how a tattoo being visible, or how wearing nail varnish affects sterility?

Tattoo? I dunno.
Far as I know most places would ban them. A few lads I know have them and they can't show them in customer service jobs.

Nail polish was already mentioned, it can peel off and the likes.

smash

Slurryface wrote: »

Please Oh please explain to me how a tattoo being visible, or how wearing nail varnish affects sterility?

The likes of MRI machines can mess up tattoos and cause infection to the area if the tattoos are less than 2 years old. It's one of the questions asked when going for an MRI. Something to do with the ink attracting the radiation. Maybe someone can clarify it a bit more.

blatantrereg

Brutal Deluxe wrote: »

Apart from the nail polish thing, it just seems "please don't dress like you're going to a nightclub".

I wonder if the lads can get away with tattoos?

I wouldn't have even thought this was newsworthy. Independent dramatises though.

THE health service has defended a controversial dress code demanding modesty from staff who were showing too much skin

What controversy did it cause, apart from the little bit here stirred up by this very article?
"Demanding modesty from" people "showing too much skin" is probably the most melodramatic way possible of saying they introduced a dress code.

I was in Limerick Midwestern regoinal hospital a lot recently when someone needed an operation. Didn't see a single memeber of staff whose clothing wouldn't have already conformed to these rules already.

I did see a variety of scumbags come into the ER though. Telling staff not to wear evocative clothing around drunk violent troublemaker types is reaonable and sensible - not demanding or being done just for the sake of it, like the paper seems to be trying to put across.

FairytaleGirl

I agree wih all of it except tattoos - to be honest if im saving someones life or taking away their pain i doubt their gonna care how tattooed i am. Nail polish and fake nails do affect sterility though.

K-9

Slurryface wrote: »

The HSE has a deficit of €370,000,000 so far this year, figures published yesterday show that 10,000 service users were assaulted, abused, or threatened last year (http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/1010/1224325094663.html), but apparently their biggest concern is female staff wearing skin tight clothing, low cut tops and tattoos!

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/hse-tells-staff-to-dress-modestly-or-face-dismissal-3255614.html

Those are very revealing figures alright.

gobnaitolunacy

Slurryface wrote: »

The HSE has a deficit of €370,000,000 so far this year, figures published yesterday show that 10,000 service users were assaulted, abused, or threatened last year (http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/1010/1224325094663.html), but apparently their biggest concern is female staff wearing skin tight clothing, low cut tops and tattoos!

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/hse-tells-staff-to-dress-modestly-or-face-dismissal-3255614.html[/QUOTE]

Is this a hospital or a medical fetish BDSM club that I was unaware of?

Lollipops23

MY ex works as a care assistant in a Dublin hospital- he used to wear his normal clothes into work (jeans and a t-shirt) and change into his hospital-issued tunic and trousers when he got in, with comfy black shoes.
Totally professional and appropriate, and his work clothes weren't being worn outside on the street.
Who wears a tight mini skirt to a hospital? :eek:

__oc__

Slurryface wrote: »

Please Oh please explain to me how a tattoo being visible, or how wearing nail varnish affects sterility?

bacteria can get under the polish and then transfer onto someone else. i am training to be a nurse and they dont even let you wear nail varnish in labs...seems like a fair enough request to me. it gets me out of the habit of wearing it.

dont know about the tattoo i have got one on my wrist and no one has said anything to me yet.

seamus

No pictures of sexy nurses. Thread disappoints.

On topic, don't see any issue. Practically every company has a dress code unless the staff basically never meet clients face-to-face. Unions living on another planet as usual making a fuss about this.

phasers

Slurryface wrote: »

Personally I've seen seen an accounts clerk or receptionist in scrubs myself,

but I fail to see how banning nail polish is anything other than petty sexism!

Which is why I also said "Some kind of uniform".


It's about hygiene. If you work with food nail polish is also banned. I'm sure if a man wore nail polish he wouldn't be allowed wear it either. Could you explain how it's sexism?

And the tattoo one isn't about hygiene, it's about looking professional. It's a fairly standard rule in a lot of workplaces.

HeyThereDeliah

I'm assuming they are on about admin staff, it's fair to say every office has a dress code. I have seen a few girls wearing tops that were a little revealing while it might look ok in the mirror it's when you are sitting at the desk those standing in front of you are looking down your top.

I don't agree with admin staff not wearing nail varnish, doctors and nurses maybe for hygiene purposes but they are in close contact with patients.

It seems they have brought in a blanket rule across the board for everyone, seems fair in one way I suppose.

seamus

phasers wrote: »

And the tattoo one isn't about hygiene, it's about looking professional. It's a fairly standard rule in a lot of workplaces.

I think in general the rule tends to ask employees not to go out of their way to show off tattoos, rather than a "ban" on them. So wearing full-length sleeves instead of short sleeves, not showing off a tramp stamp, etc.

Few employers would require an employee to wear gloves to cover a tattoo on their hands or a scarf to cover the back of their neck.

Though in limited circumstances the employer may have grounds to dismiss an employee if they got an inappropriate tattoo. E.g. someone who meets with clients on a regular basis gets "FNCK YOU" tattooed on their forehead.

seamus

seamus wrote: »

Though in limited circumstances the employer may have grounds to dismiss an employee if they got an inappropriate tattoo. E.g. someone who meets with clients on a regular basis get's "FNCK YOU" tattooed on their forehead.

giggle
"Not only is it inappropriate, but you just can't spell. We can't have that kind of image for our company."

RacoonQueen

anmhi02 wrote: »

Where for the love of god is this happening?? The majority of hospitals have staff wearing tunic tops and trousers or in my place of work, scrubs. Completely agree from an infection control point of view, about not wearing nail varnish, false nails etc but I have yet to see a nurse looking like a "slapper".

Slurryface wrote: »

Personally I've seen seen an accounts clerk or receptionist in scrubs myself, but I fail to see how banning nail polish is anything other than petty sexism!

Slurryface wrote: »

Please Oh please explain to me how a tattoo being visible, or how wearing nail varnish affects sterility?

Read this yesterday and thought ''It's about time''. Female doctors, social workers, pharmacists (anyone who doesn't have a uniform) regularly turned up to work in inappropriate clothing where I worked. High heels, skirts, low cut tops. It's a hospital, that is inappropriate clothing for a hospital. The tatoos thing is aimed at men I'd imagine and is understandable. Many workplaces have dress codes, covering tatoos is a common request in a professional workplace. Again, where I worked there was someone covered in them, stereotyping maybe, but some patients did not feel comfortable around him..

Re: nailpolish it can easily carry infection, if it gets chipped germs etc can get caught under it. Plus it looks rank, never understood how people think painted nails look nice.

A neat, clean, business-like appearance must be maintained at all times. Staff

attached to certain departments may be required to wear a uniform or other

protective clothing. Such requirements will be advised by your Department

Head/Supervisor and must be adhered to at all times. See Dress Code Policy –


Clothing worn by employees conforms to a standard of formality in

dress that projects a professional working image. In addition employees

must avoid fashion extremes e.g. belly-tops, football jerseys, denims,

tracksuits, visible underwear etc.

Footwear worn is suitable and practical, having regard to both safety in

the workplace and professional image.

Slurryface

seamus wrote: »

I think in general the rule tends to ask employees not to go out of their way to show off tattoos, rather than a "ban" on them. So wearing full-length sleeves instead of short sleeves, not showing off a tramp stamp, etc.

Few employers would require an employee to wear gloves to cover a tattoo on their hands or a scarf to cover the back of their neck.

Though in limited circumstances the employer may have grounds to dismiss an employee if they got an inappropriate tattoo. E.g. someone who meets with clients on a regular basis gets "FNCK YOU" tattooed on their forehead.

A Tramp Stamp!!!!
Are you for fúcking real

Tombi!

Slurryface wrote: »

A Tramp Stamp!!!!
Are you for fúcking real

What do you call it?

Seaneh

Slurryface wrote: »

seamus wrote: »

I think in general the rule tends to ask employees not to go out of their way to show off tattoos, rather than a "ban" on them. So wearing full-length sleeves instead of short sleeves, not showing off a tramp stamp, etc.

Few employers would require an employee to wear gloves to cover a tattoo on their hands or a scarf to cover the back of their neck.

Though in limited circumstances the employer may have grounds to dismiss an employee if they got an inappropriate tattoo. E.g. someone who meets with clients on a regular basis gets "FNCK YOU" tattooed on their forehead.

A Tramp Stamp!!!!
Are you for fúcking real

Flutt. Shut up. You horse is looking a bit tall. wouldnt want ya having a Christopher Reeves moment.

seamus

Slurryface wrote: »

A Tramp Stamp!!!!
Are you for fúcking real

That's what it's called. I don't believe that it singles women out as tramps, but that's what it's called.

Slurryface

Brutal Deluxe wrote: »

What do you call it?

I,m not sexist nor judgemental enough to refer to any woman who has a tatoo as a "tramp"

Tomk1

When I hear 'modestly' = thinly veiled religious rules.
Most if not all our hospitals are Catholic-hospitals administrated by or the board being a religious order. Sounds like they just want to stamp their religious authority feet. Basically females should be dressed like Nuns.
Nothing todo with nail-varnish, just todo with nuns upset over a bit of skin, & wanting to treat Nurses/staff like schoolgirls which they also have started to dress 'modestly' aka like nuns, jewellery out except Crosses of course.

Condatis

The direction to the staff in HSE West is appropriate.

Short skirts and cleavage have no place in a normal work place.

Women who dress like that can have an un-settling effect on colleagues and clients. If they turn up for work dressed like that they know what they are doing – teasing, showing off or hoping for advancement by putting themselves on display.

HeyThereDeliah

Slurryface wrote: »

I,m not sexist nor judgemental enough to refer to any woman who has a tatoo as a "tramp"

I'm not sure why its called that tbh, I know a few girls with them and they are def not tramps. It's just a thing that caught on no big deal.

the groutch

seamus wrote: »

No pictures of sexy nurses. Thread disappoints.

http://img.youtube.com/vi/E8VCXA4fTYw/0.jpg

happy now?

HeyThereDeliah

Tomk1 wrote: »

When I hear 'modestly' = thinly veiled religious rules.
Most if not all our hospitals are Catholic-hospitals administrated by or the board being a religious order. Sounds like they just want to stamp their religious authority feet. Basically females should be dressed like Nuns.
Nothing todo with nail-varnish, just todo with nuns upset over a bit of skin, & wanting to treat Nurses/staff like schoolgirls which they also have started to dress 'modestly' aka like nuns, jewellery out except Crosses of course.

I can't see where you get this logic from, any office I worked in had a dress code.

RacoonQueen

Slurryface wrote: »

I,m not sexist nor judgemental enough to refer to any woman who has a tatoo as a "tramp"

A tramp stamp is a tattoo on a womans lower back. Not any tattoo on a woman just a tattoo in that location...

D-FENS

the groutch wrote: »

http://img.youtube.com/vi/E8VCXA4fTYw/0.jpg

happy now?

Was hoping for more of this kind of thing

http://www.zetaminor.com/images/dvd_review_images/carry_on/carry_dr_hattie_ken.jpg

RacoonQueen

Tomk1 wrote: »

When I hear 'modestly' = thinly veiled religious rules.
Most if not all our hospitals are Catholic-hospitals administrated by or the board being a religious order. Sounds like they just want to stamp their religious authority feet. Basically females should be dressed like Nuns.
Nothing todo with nail-varnish, just todo with nuns upset over a bit of skin, & wanting to treat Nurses/staff like schoolgirls which they also have started to dress 'modestly' aka like nuns, jewellery out except Crosses of course.

Rubbish post. Nailpolish not being allowed is across all hospitals and health care workers. It's for infection control.

All professional workplaces have dress codes or uniforms of some sort. If you turned up to work in champion sports in a suit and tie you'd be told it's inappropriate and to get your trackfsuit on. Same thing.

Tombi!

Slurryface wrote: »

I,m not sexist nor judgemental enough to refer to any woman who has a tatoo as a "tramp"

It's still a tramp stamp.
It's not saying she's a tramp.
IF a man got one there, I'd still call it a tramp stamp

opinion guy

the groutch wrote: »

http://img.youtube.com/vi/E8VCXA4fTYw/0.jpg

happy now?

Thats a sexy doctor actually....well..... actress playing a doctor

humbert

It's a slippery slope. First they ask you to dress professionally and next thing they'll be expecting you to work will you're there.