Consultant sacked 'after bosses discovered she had a butterfly tattoo on her foot which didn't comply with firm's professional image'

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

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.'

Controversial: Jo Perkins' butterfly tattoo on her foot which she says is only visible when she wears dresses

Given the boot: Jo Perkins, who lost her job apparently because of a butterfly tattoo

Recruited through an agency and employed on a contract with the multi-million pound firm based in Milton Keynes, Jo 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.'

Consultant Miss Perkins was forced from her post with facilities management company Salisbury FM Ltd after falling foul of a tough new 'no tattoos' rule introduced in June

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.

Jo 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.

'No ban': 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.'

Employment lawyer Nicholas Lakeland, who works for London law firm Silverman Sherliker, said today that it was unlikely Jo could take any legal action as she had been working under contract for an agency.

He said: 'From the facts, it sounds like a very harsh decision and an unfair one, actually. But obviously their policy is: "No one with tattoos works for us".'

Jo’s dismissal comes a year after a mother-of-three was sacked from her post in a department store’s cafe because of a tattoo.

Customers complained because Joanne Stronach, 40, had the words: 'Everything happens for a reason' inked onto her arm.

DM