A mum could reportedly ‘receive an £8,000 payout’ after being ‘snubbed from her office’s Christmas party’.
Catriona Howie has claimed that she had been discriminated against by her employer, Kitchen by Holloways, as the company failed to invite her along to the festive party while she was on maternity leave.
According to The Times, the incident left the mum feeling ‘hurt’ and ‘forgotten’.
The mum has reportedly ‘won a payout of up to £8,000’ after being ‘snubbed from her office’s Christmas party’. Credit: Pexels
It’s believed that when the festivities were planned, the business was undergoing some ‘financial difficulties’. So instead of arranging a big bash, the company planned to head down to the pub, along with a £200 tab.
At the tribunal, it was reportedly said: “Most of the London based staff attended.
“We accept that it was a short notice and informal event and there were no formal invitations.
“Staff were informed by word of mouth or text message.”
The company’s director, Sarah Nelson, is believed to have said that it ‘didn’t occur’ to her to invite along the new mum.
Defending herself, she apparently added: “It was not a proper party and nor was it a normal year.”
However, Howie reportedly disagreed with this claim and is believed to have said there was a ‘conscious effort made’ not to invite her.
Despite the fact judge Corinna Ferguson determined that the woman hadn’t ‘purposely’ not been invited, she was allegedly awarded compensation.
The judge reportedly stated: “No one thought about her.
“Had she been at work she would certainly have been invited. She was overlooked because she was on maternity leave.”
It’s believed that Howie was made ‘redundant’ upon returning to work after maternity leave.
However, it’s believed that she was given £1,027 in unpaid wages and holiday pay.
The judge reportedly then said that compensation ranging from £900 to £8,800 would be considered, when taking into account ‘injury to feelings’.
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