UK Woman Wins £28,000 for Unfair Dismissal Over Pregnancy
Introduction
A woman in the UK, Nikita Twitchen, has won a £28,000 compensation after being unfairly dismissed from her job shortly after returning from maternity leave and revealing she was pregnant again. The employment tribunal found that her dismissal was directly related to her pregnancy, as reported by Metro
Initial Return to Work
Twitchen had been working as an administrative assistant at First Grade Projects in Pontypridd. Her troubles began in early 2022 during a back-to-work meeting with Managing Director Jeremy Morgan. At this meeting, she informed Morgan that she was pregnant again, which she said visibly surprised him. Initially, Morgan seemed supportive and eager for her return, but after her announcement, she noticed a shift in his attitude.
Lack of Communication
When Twitchen returned from her maternity leave in March 2022, she realized that her employer had not contacted her about returning to work. Concerned, she sent an email to Morgan on April 4, asking about her holiday entitlement. She received no response. After following up again on April 11 and April 18, Morgan finally called her later that day, informing her that she was being made redundant due to financial difficulties and delayed payments.
Tribunal Findings
Morgan later claimed that Twitchen’s role had become redundant due to new software being installed, which made her position “non-existent.” However, the tribunal found inconsistencies in Morgan’s explanations. During their February meeting, he mentioned that the company was doing well and did not mention any financial challenges or the software update that supposedly justified the redundancy.
The tribunal, led by Judge Robin Havard, ruled in Twitchen’s favour, stating that First Grade Projects had failed to provide evidence of the alleged financial difficulties or software changes. The company also failed to provide a written statement detailing the reasons for her dismissal.
Twitchen’s victory highlights the importance of workplace protection for pregnant women and the rights they are entitled to during and after maternity leave.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
