A woman in the UK recently encountered a challenging obstacle upon returning from maternity leave, causing a legal dispute with her employer.
Nikita Twitchen, an office administration assistant at First Grade Projects, had always had a good relationship with her boss, Jeremy Morgan.
She regarded Morgan, the managing director, as “very responsive” throughout her time at the Pontypridd-based company.
Twitchen, who began working at First Grade in October 2021, did not expect her return to work to be so dramatic.
Twitchen planned to return to work in February 2023 after taking maternity leave in June 2022. Morgan’s return-to-work meeting on February 17 began smoothly, with Morgan expressing enthusiasm for her return.
He even indicated that the company had inked a new contract with the NHS, indicating that business was going well.
However, the mood changed when Twitchen disclosed she was eight weeks pregnant with her second baby.
Morgan later claimed to have congratulated Twitchen, but she disagreed. Following the meeting, her maternity leave legally ended on March 26, but no one from the company contacted her to confirm her return to work on April 3.
Twitchen contacted Morgan, and his response was anything but reassurance. He said, “It’s best to leave it until you have your routine in place,” which made her nervous.
Twitchen was concerned because his normally chatty boss had become unusually vague.
Twitchen sought clarification about her holiday entitlement on April 4, but Morgan once again failed to respond substantively.
She followed up on April 11 and 18, only to hear news that would change everything.
Morgan notified Twitchen over the phone on April 18 that she was being let go because of financial troubles and late payments to the company.
He also stated that new software had been set up, making her job unnecessary.
Morgan also mentioned that a workshop manager was let go earlier this year, something Twitchen was unaware of.
Despite the financial problems expressed, the company has recently rebranded, employed new employees, and invested in vehicles.
Employment Judge Robin Havard, who presided over Twitchen’s tribunal case, considered the scenario strange.
The judge highlighted Morgan’s change in behavior after learning of the pregnancy and pointed out that no documented evidence of financial troubles or new software had been provided.
Furthermore, Companies House records revealed that First Grade kept earnings of £125,586 in 2023, putting doubt on allegations of financial difficulties.
The judge also noted that Morgan had made no mention of financial issues during the February discussion, which added to the contradictions.
The real reason for Twitchen’s departure was later revealed. Twitchen’s pregnancy was found to be the reason for her dismissal, which the court deemed unfair and discriminatory.
Twitchen’s “real anxiety and distress” must have been acknowledged by the judge, especially considering her family duties and financial difficulties while expecting her second child.
As a result, First Grade Projects and Morgan were required to pay Twitchen £28,706 in compensation.
The corporation expressed unhappiness with the tribunal’s decision, noting that it is considering all alternatives moving forward.
Featured Image Credit: (Media Wales)
