Consultant sacked 'after bosses discovered she had a butterfly tattoo on her foot '

A career woman who lost her job over a butterfly tattoo on her left foot has blasted her 'ridiculous' former employers.

Procurement consultant Jo Perkins was apparently forced from her post with facilities management company Salisbury FM Ltd after falling foul of a tough new 'no tattoos' rule introduced in June.

The 38-year-old says she's now considering legal action, adding: 'I have been a procurement consultant for years and I’ve worked for many high-level companies in my time.

'But I have never heard anything as ridiculous as this.'

 

Recruited through an agency and employed on a contract with the multi-million pound firm based in Milton Keynes, Ms Perkins did not deal with the public and and claims she was praised for her 'outstanding' work during her five months there.

However she ran into problems when Salisbury began enforcing its anti-tattoo policy and sought advice on the artwork - which is four inches long and consists of a butterfly and scroll design - even though it is only visible when she wears a dress.

She said: 'The only way to cover it would be to wear a sock. I’m a businesswoman and I wear smart dresses to work, so that would look stupid.

'I suggested covering it with a sticking plaster, but thought that would look unprofessional and draw attention to it.'

Things came to a head when she arrived at work as normal this week, only to be allegedly told by managers that they had instructions for her to be escorted from the premises - something the firm denies.

She later discovered her contract had been terminated.

Ms Perkins added: 'I am consulting a solicitor, on behalf of all professionals with tattoos, to see if this action constitutes discrimination under inclusion and diversity laws.'

In response, Salisbury chief executive Ed Swales claimed there was no ban on staff having tattoos.

He said: 'Salisbury’s company policy is that tattoos should not be visible while at work. The policy is simply one of covering tattoos and not a ban on tattoos.

'The policy is in place to ensure our employees and contractors project the professional image we want our customers to see in Salisbury. She made no effort to comply with the policy.'