Tattoo loses Cicely job offer at dental clinic
A WOMAN had a job offer withdrawn because she had a tattoo on her left forearm, it has been claimed.
Cicely Woodcock, 20, said she had successfully applied for a position as a dental nurse at Trinity Dental Care in Barnstaple and was offered a job on Wednesday, December 2.
-
OFFER WITHDRAWN: Above, Cicely Woodcock at home in Braunton after having the offer of a job at a dental practice withdrawn. Left, the tattoo that lost Cicely the job offer. Pictures: Mike Southon 0912-80_03, 0912-80_04
-
Cicely Woodcock at home in Braunton
the tattoo on her wrist
Photos Mike Southon Ref No 0912-80_04
She beat 11 other interviewees to the post which would have seen her earning £15,000 a year once qualified, she said.
Cicely, who works at Redwood surf shop in Croyde, said: "I was really excited — it was the prospect of having a career and earning proper money.
"I handed in my notice straight away so my boss would have plenty of time to find a replacement.
"I called all my family and friends and told them the good news.
"I even threw a dinner party to celebrate."
But the day after being offered the job, she said she received a phone call from the practice asking for her uniform size and whether she had any piercings.
It was at this point Cicely said she decided to mention her tattoo.
She said: "I thought I should mention my tattoo, a small Cicely flower on my wrist which I got earlier this year shortly after my Grandma died. It's the only one I have.
"When I mentioned it to the woman on the phone she became flustered and said she would get back to me.
"Three hours later she called back to say that it was the practice's policy to not allow employees to have tattoos that could not be covered up.
"The woman said "sorry, we can't employ you" and just hung up.
"I couldn't believe it, I was absolutely gutted. They didn't even ask to see it."
Cicely said she was forced to ask her boss at the surf shop for her old job back.
She said: "Luckily my boss was lovely and kept me on.
"Had the practice told me about its policies earlier I would have been up-front and honest and I could have avoided this mess."
The
North Devon Journal
contacted Trinity Dental Care but no one at the practice was prepared to comment on Cicely's story.
27 Comments
View all
by Mr E, Barnstaple
Thursday, January 07 2010, 11:36AM
“If she is so proud of her tattoo why was it covered up at interview... and why say "If I'd been asked I would have been honest" That suggests she wasn't being honest at the interview...
The Dentists are right and it's better to have a complete ban because you then have a problem about where to draw the line - mohicans, nose piercings, facial tattoos ?????
I think the nature of the job means that higher standards are to be expected and... in response to Ellen from Leeds, I'm sure a shaven headed, tattoo'd member of staff is not out of the ordinary... but most people don't want their Healthcare Professionals to look like students
Mr E”
by Ellen Spour, Leeds
Sunday, December 27 2009, 7:02PM
“"Yes, I have to agree with the commenters siding with the dental practice. A black and white flower is the most offensive thing I've seen this year. It makes her look shifty, and I wouldn't trust her with my dental health, since she obviously has a life outside of her job and makes decisions relating to her body which I would not make for mine."
If you couldn't tell, that was heavy sarcasm. If she passed the interview, it's not right that a physical modification which the interviewer didn't even notice should scupper her chances of getting the job.
And yes, I am biased - I'm female, tattooed, shaven-headed, unconventionally pierced and work in a public-relations heavy post in the University of Leeds. So far, nobody has complained.”
by trip, london
Sunday, December 27 2009, 7:10AM
“the tattoo now to date is long over healled and she is perfectly sterile , i think the dentists are keen on the health issues of cecily possibly having hep a or c thats probably there only simple idea they can claim against her for having any tattoo or piercings, maybe she might want to get tested , just incase not to worry and look elsewhere.”
by m b, devon
Saturday, December 26 2009, 3:23PM
“employers should have the right to employ who they want i don't personaly think their reason is sound but it should be their choice as it is their business”
by Slime Vain, Bagpipes
Tuesday, December 22 2009, 2:29PM
“I think she should have her arm removed. Then at least she could work for CBeebies. Or something.”
by si, braunton
Tuesday, December 22 2009, 2:25PM
“being discriminated against for the personal choices which an individual makes is an attribute of fascism and ignorance”
by ernie, townie
Monday, December 21 2009, 9:27PM
“maya ,i am not denying the tatoos have a story behind them !! ,i am just asking if some of the people who have them regret having them ??? is it wrong to have an opinion ?? ,i am hardly a hypocrite as i have tatts myself ,i thought living in florida you might have been a bit more chilled !!!,relax please !!.”
by Henry Goldfield, San Francisco
Monday, December 21 2009, 8:02PM
“That's what she gets for living in England. Like Fergie just a few years ago, and quite a few Brits three hundred years ago, she should come to America where freedom abounds.”
by maya, florida
Monday, December 21 2009, 7:32PM
“ernie, townie - what a hypocrite you are. how many men should rethink their tats as well. living in florida there's always an abundance of half naked bodies, young, old, and in every shape and size. many, many tattooed, more often than not overly so. but i must say an 80yr old anybody w/a tat is not gonna like a 20yr old anybody w/a tat. and because those tats offend your sense aesthetics doesn't mean anyone should remove them or hide them. each one of those has a story to tell, and whatever you may think they do have meaning for the wearer or they wouldn't still have them.”
by Hypocrit, Ilfracombe
Monday, December 21 2009, 3:08PM
“I also am inked... but would prefer my dental nurse not to be.... I am probably in the minority, but think tats look trashy on girls..
That said, its a free country and I fully support thier choice to have them as I'm sure they support my choice not to like them..”