A woman in the UK has been awarded £28,000 ($36,000) by an employment tribunal after being dismissed shortly after returning from maternity leave and informing her employer that she was pregnant again.

Nikita Twitchen, formerly an administrative assistant at First Grade Projects in Pontypridd, claimed that her termination was directly tied to her pregnancy, according to Metro.

Return to work turns sour

Twitchen’s troubles began in early 2022, during a back-to-work meeting with Managing Director, Jeremy Morgan. She revealed her new pregnancy, and, according to Twitchen, her boss’s reaction changed noticeably. Initially, the meeting seemed positive, with Morgan appearing supportive of her return. However, Twitchen testified that the atmosphere shifted dramatically after she disclosed her pregnancy, leading her to believe her dismissal was connected to this revelation.

Upon returning to work in March 2022, Twitchen noticed a lack of communication from her employer. After sending an email on April 4 inquiring about her holiday entitlement, she received no response. After sending two follow-up emails on April 11 and 18, Morgan eventually called her later that day, informing her that she was being made redundant due to financial struggles and payment delays.

Tribunal’s findings

Morgan later argued that new software had made Twitchen’s role obsolete. However, the tribunal sided with Twitchen, ruling that First Grade Projects had unfairly dismissed her. Judge Robin Havard cited inconsistencies in Morgan’s explanation for the redundancy, noting that in their February meeting, Morgan had indicated the business was performing well, with no mention of financial difficulties or the need for new software. The tribunal also pointed out that First Grade Projects failed to provide evidence of the claimed financial problems or the new software during the hearing. Furthermore, Twitchen had not received a formal written explanation detailing the reasons for her dismissal.

Impact of the decision

Judge Havard concluded that Twitchen’s dismissal was due to her pregnancy, calling it “unfair, discriminatory, and causing significant emotional distress.” He stressed the deep impact the termination had on her, particularly given her family responsibilities and financial stability. First Grade Projects expressed disappointment with the tribunal’s decision, stating that they were reviewing the case and considering an appeal. The company declined to offer further comment at this time.