Forest Park settles with firefighter over tattoo policy

Forest Park settles with firefighter over tattoo policy
Article by: SlingerVille Staff
October 26, 2012

Forest Park has reached a settlement with a female firefighter in a sexual and racial discrimination lawsuit.

Firefighter and paramedic Linda Goetz sued Forest Park, declaring that she was the only employee of 10 with tattoos who was ordered to cover up her ink.

According to court documents, Goetz was ordered to wear turtlenecks in 100-degree heat and was hospitalized for heat exhaustion.

Goetz feels that the fire chief at that time, Trish Brooks, forced her to cover her tattoos because of her skin color.

Goetz is Caucasian, and evidence from the case shows a photo of an African-American woman who served as a firefighter while her cherry tattoo was visible.

The suit suggests that this woman was never ordered to cover her ink.

According to court documents, Goetz ultimately refused instructions to cover her dandelion and dragonfly tattoo and was reprimanded, according to court documents.

Brooks claims Goetz was suspended for noncompliance, not discrimination.

City officials and the fire chief declined to comment on the case, along with Goetz and her attorney, citing a confidentiality clause in the settlement.

The fire department's tattoo policy says that body art may be required to be covered at the fire chief's discretion.

Source: http://www.wlwt.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/Forest-Park-settles-with-firefighter-over-tattoo-policy/-/13550662/17119482/-/pr4qu3z/-/index.html

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