An agency worker lost her job after she refused to cover up a butterfly tattoo on her foot, reports The Metro. Procurement consultant Jo Perkins reportedly had her contract cancelled and was marched off her company’s premises after bosses spotted her ink, which she refused to cover.

Ms Perkins did not come into contact with members of the public in her job and had recently been praised by her bosses for her “outstanding efforts”.

She said: “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. The only way to over it would be to weak a sock – but I’m a businesswoman and I wear smart dresses to work, so that would look stupid.”

The 38-year-old consultant was employed by a facilities management company for five months on an agency contract. She is now considering legal action: “I am consulting a solicitor to see if this action constitutes discrimination under diversity laws.”

Ed Swales, CEO of the facilities management company said: “The policy is in place to ensure our employees and contractors project the professionals image we want our customers to see. Ms Perkins made no effort to comply with the policy.”