Sacked Receptionist Awarded Almost £5000 Over Unfair Dismissal During Pregnancy

A case of unfair dismissal during pregnancy has come to an end with the owner of a shut-down law firm ordered to pay almost £5,000 to his former receptionist.

The receptionist, Ms Nasreen, was fired after suffering from a pregnancy-related illness.

Ms Nasreen brought a claim to Tribunal for:

• Unfair dismissal
• Sex discrimination
• Unlawful deduction of wages for both outstanding wages and holiday pay.

Judge Jones, ruled that Ms Nasreen was not treated fairly during her employment and was discriminated against before her dismissal by Dr Akbar Ali Malik, who at the time traded as Malik Law Solicitors. 

Dr Malik did not attend the hearing to respond to the claims, nor was he represented by anyone. 

Ms Nasreen had worked with Dr Malik for four years before her pregnancy-related illness in 2018.

She obtained a medical certification advising her to remain off work. After four weeks off, her husband stepped in to contact the practice on her behalf and was told her skills were no longer needed.

Ms Nasreen was told she was dismissed for an unauthorised holiday in 2017. 

But the tribunal found that Ms Nasreen was entitled to her January 2018 wages, her outstanding holiday pay and a further two months' pay, which was ruled to cover the time she should have been working during this issue.

Dr Malik was further ordered to pay costs for injured feelings, to the total of £500.