In the case of Ms Donna Patterson v Wm Morrison Supermarkets Limited a Wetherby mother that took her ex-employer Morrisons to court over unfair dismissal and sex discrimination has been awarded over £60k in compensation.
The Bradford-based supermarket was ordered to pay £60,442.25 to mother-of-two Donna Patterson, after she had her role changed while on maternity leave and then was “gas lighted” and made to work full-time upon her return despite being on a part-time contract.
Ms Patterson’s mental health deteriorated and after going on leave due to stress, she undertook a grievance process with the company. However, when her concerns were rejected, she left and took legal action.
Ms Patterson represented herself during the “gruelling” five-day tribunal in Leeds after being told that her chances of success were minimal and due to extensive costs being requested by law firms.
During the tribunal it was heard that Morrisons had planned to demote her when she was pregnant, which sent the judge “ballistic”.
Describing her reaction when the unanimous verdict was announced last Friday (October 21), she said: “I just sat there and tears streamed down my face. Just from the sheer relief that it was worth it – worth all of the stress, all of the effort and worth everybody saying ‘why not just walk away and move on’.”
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