A mother has been awarded £28,706 after being unfairly dismissed upon returning to work from maternity leave — and informing her employer that she was pregnant again.
Dismissal and Tribunal Case
Nikita Twitchen, an admin assistant at Pontypridd-based construction company First Grade Projects, claimed she was unfairly dismissed in April 2022. According to the employment tribunal, the dismissal occurred shortly after Twitchen revealed to managing director Jeremy Morgan that she was expecting another child.
Twitchen explained that her back-to-work meeting initially went well, with Morgan expressing excitement about her return. However, his attitude abruptly changed when she disclosed her pregnancy at the end of the discussion.
Lack of Communication and Redundancy Notice
Before her dismissal, Twitchen described her relationship with Morgan as very positive, stating he was always responsive when she needed assistance. However, when her maternity leave ended in March 2022, she did not receive any communication from the company regarding her return.
On April 4, Twitchen sent a message asking about her holiday entitlement for later in the year, but Morgan did not respond. After sending follow-up messages on April 11 and April 18, Morgan called her on the same day to say she was being made redundant, citing financial difficulties and delayed payments as reasons.
Tribunal Exposes Flaws in Company’s Claims
Morgan later claimed that new software was being installed, eliminating Twitchen’s role. However, Judge Robin Havard noted that Morgan made no mention of financial difficulties or software upgrades during their February meeting, where he had assured her the business was performing well.
The company also failed to present any evidence of financial trouble or new software installation during the tribunal. Twitchen observed that, after her dismissal, the business had undergone a rebrand, hired new employees, and invested in vehicles — raising doubts about Morgan’s claims.
Discrimination and Unfair Dismissal Confirmed
Judge Havard concluded that Twitchen was dismissed because of her pregnancy, noting Morgan’s sudden change in behavior after learning the news. The delay in communication, combined with a lack of credible explanations, indicated discriminatory intent.
The judge ruled that the dismissal was both unfair and discriminatory, stating that Twitchen’s termination caused her significant emotional distress:
“Being dismissed while pregnant and losing financial stability with family responsibilities must have caused real anxiety and distress over a period of time.”
Compensation Awarded
The tribunal ordered First Grade Projects and Jeremy Morgan to pay £28,706 in compensation. In response, the company issued the following statement:
“We are extremely disappointed with the outcome of the tribunal. We are actively reviewing all relevant information and considering available options. At this point, we are unable to provide further comment.”
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