Co Down woman gets £25k and apology after feeling "isolated and sidelined" since telling her employers she was pregnant
Worker also said she felt excluded and ignored
Last updated 19th Jun 2018
A Bangor woman has received £25,000 in a settlement and an apology by her employers after alleging sex discrimination related to her pregnancy.
Ruth Faulkner (39) took a tribunal case against Intern Europe Limited where she had worked since 2010 as a work placements officer, sourcing professional internships across Northern Ireland.
The Equality Commission backed her after she was left feeling “isolated and sidelined'' by her employers since disclosing her pregnancy.
During her maternity leave Ms Faulkner had asked to work the same hours in a different pattern, to help meet childcare commitments. Instead the company reduced her hours, the Commission said.
It added: “On the first day Ms Faulkner returned to work after her maternity leave, she was immediately brought to a meeting where she was informed that her post was potentially at risk of redundancy.
“She alleged that she was told that the company wanted to discuss an option with her where she would choose to leave rather than go through a formal redundancy situation.
“Ms Faulkner claimed that she was informed that if she wanted to consider this option she could not return to her desk and had to leave the office right away.''
Ms Faulkner said before she told the firm of her pregnancy she felt respected and appreciated.
She added: “Afterwards I felt isolated, excluded, side-lined and ignored.
“When I returned to work after the birth of my child, to be confronted with a proposal to terminate my employment, I was shocked and upset.''
Mary Kitson, senior legal officer at the Commission, said it was still too common for women who told their employers they were pregnant to feel they were treated in an unfair or discouraging fashion.
Ms Kitson added: “All employers need to make sure that pregnant women and returning mothers have a supportive environment with flexible, family-friendly policies and practices.
“That is what they are entitled to under the law. It also makes good business sense for employers themselves, enabling them to benefit from the skills and knowledge of experienced staff.''
In settling this case, Intern Europe apologised to Ms Faulkner for any injury to feelings, distress and upset caused.
It also affirmed its commitment to equality of opportunity and undertook to liaise with the Equality Commission.