Tattoos, piercings banned
2006-02-09 08:53
San Bernardino - Public employees in San Bernardino county are being asked to cover up tattoos and remove visible facial piercings in the workplace.
A dress code adopted by the county on Tuesday also bans jeans and T-shirts with logos.
"If we have to cover them up, will the county provide bandages, so we have to go around looking like we're burned?" asked DeDe Cruz, 39, who works in a county office in Fontana and has a small tattoo depicting angel wings on her ankle.
Some said they shouldn't have to wear long-sleeve shirts to cover their tattoos on hot days, while those with piercings worried that removing them can cause the holes in their flesh to close up.
"We're not trying to limit anyone's freedom of expression," said Mark Uffer, county administrative officer. "Some people may find tattoos objectionable. When you come to work, we're asking they be covered. We're no different from banks and credit unions."
- AP