€80k for woman sacked after taking maternity leave

Two women who were sacked by their employers after they became pregnant have been awarded a total of €88,000 in compensation by the Equality Tribunal.

Lisa Mullen, a financial controller demoted to debt collector and later constructively dismissed after taking maternity leave, was awarded a total of €80,000 for harassment and “a range of unlawful treatment” by BCon Communications.

Ms Mullen said that when, in November 2009, she informed the firm’s owner of her pregnancy, he responded: “Jesus Lisa, you don’t hang around.”