A new mother in the UK is receiving compensation of up to $ 12,000 – because she was not invited to Christmas drinks while on maternity leave, according to British reports.
Catriona Howie has filed a lawsuit against her employer, Croydon’s kitchen design company Holloways Of Ludlow, for “harming feelings” over the minor invitation, the Times of London said.
The company’s director, Sarah Nelson, told the meeting that the company did not organize a proper Christmas party in 2018 because it was struggling financially and instead put only $ 275 behind the bar at a local pub.
Accepting that Howie was not invited, Nelson insisted it was only because “it was not a proper party and it was not a normal year,” the British newspaper said.
Judge Corinna Ferguson admitted that “there was no deliberate decision” to exclude Howie – but ruled that the reason she was not invited “was that no one thought of her”.
“If she had been at work during this period, she would certainly have been invited. She was overlooked because she was on maternity leave, “the judge told a court in south London.
The company was also believed to have discriminated against Howie by hiding her financial struggles, having no idea she would be fired immediately after returning from vacation.
The judge said compensation of up to $ 12,000 would be a “likely” reward for “hurting feelings.” The company was also ordered to compensate her for $ 1,400 in unpaid wages and payments.
Howie also sought compensation for a colleague who was making fun of her for naming her baby Presley after Elvis Presley, but that request was denied, the report said.