A record payment of almost £4.5m has been awarded by a UK Employment Tribunal to Dr Eva Michalak, who was forced out of her job following her maternity leave. Dr Michalak is reported to have been 'profoundly traumatised' by 'years of psychological abuse' to the extent that her husband had to give up his job as a scientific researcher in order to look after her. Dr Michalak said of her employer 'They destroyed my life, my health and my career. Their dishonesty was staggering'.
The Employment Tribunal said 'We are positively outraged at the way this employer behaved. The claimant was subjected to a campaign, suspended, had her suspension unnecessarily prolonged and was then dismissed for a reason that related to her pregnancy. She has lost her role and status. She is never going to return to work as a doctor, a profession she cherished'.
Dr Michalak's husband said 'This payout is not a win. All she ever wanted was to work'.
The amount of the award has shocked many. The fact that an employer would behave in this way has shocked many more. Whilst claims for race or sex discrimination continue to be uncapped, this should be a warning to any unscrupulous employers out there!
Want to know how the figure was reached? Click here.
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