Patricia Hewitt, trade and industry secretary and minister for women, blasted the actions of P H Adams Electrical Contractors as 鈥渁 woeful example of Victorian management practice鈥�, after the company sacked receptionist Carol Bonehill while she was on maternity leave.

Hewitt branded the Birmingham-based ECA member as a 鈥渄isgrace鈥� for sending a dismissal letter and P45 to the receptionist along with a congratulations card, after the birth of her daughter Abbie.

Bonehill took the contractor to an industrial tribunal for sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal. She was awarded 拢8835 compensation.

The firm has apologised for sending the letter with the congratulations card but said that it had no regrets over dismissing Bonehill, insisting that she had been sacked for poor attendance.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor