Pregnant lawyer wins sex discrimination claim

A lawyer who claims that her employers forced her out of work on the grounds of her pregnancy has won a claim for sexual discrimination.

The employment tribunal in Exeter ruled in favour of Susan Heale, 39, after hearing that she struggled to move in an office that was too small to work in while pregnant and suffered from morning sickness, but was pressured into coming in to work.

Ms Heale accused Thornley's solicitors in Plymouth of sexually discriminating against her because she fell pregnant, claiming that her boss's attitude towards her changed and she was eventually forced to resign from her job for the health of her unborn twins.

The matrimonial lawyer told the tribunal that she had been offered a partnership the same day that she found out she was pregnant, but was told shortly afterwards that her department was shutting down and she could be made redundant if she opted for the full six months of maternity leave.

According to Ms Heale, Tony Pearce, 51, the managing partner at Thornley's, told her that having children would negatively affect her career.

Mr Pearce denied all claims against him and insisted that he had placed no pressure on Ms Heale regarding her maternity leave or coming into work with morning sickness. However, the tribunal ruled that there had been inconsistencies in the evidence he had given and may now award Ms Heale compensation of up to £100,000.

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Date:06/08/2007 11:34:11