Secretaries successfully sue two firms over dismissals

Employment: tribunal orders firms to pay compensation

Two law firms have recently lost unfair dismissal claims brought by former secretaries.

London-based Bates Wells & Braithwaite and Darlington firm Close Thornton were ordered by employment tribunals to pay their ex-employees compensation of 20,000 and 1,007 respectively.

Wendy Macfarlane, a secretary to Bates Wells partner Phillip Trott for more than six years, left the firm following its treatment of her after her child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Her solicitor Patrick Gearon, a partner at London firm Gordon Dadds, said a number of incidents - including working late, the monitoring of personal calls and the suggestion she move to a job nearer her home - culminated in Ms Macfarlane feeling the need to leave.

Bates Wells has initially agreed to pay the compensation but is waiting for the release of the extended reasons.

Senior partner John Trotter said: 'We were genuinely trying to help and felt she was in danger of cracking up as it was too much for one person to cope with.

We don't accept what the tribunal has decided and expect to appeal.'

Close Thornton dismissed secretary Mrs J S Monaghan following her continued absence from work caused by arthritis in 1999.

Her unfair dismissal claim was upheld by a tribunal, but her claim of discrimination contrary to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 was dismissed, both at first instance and on appeal.

She won a basic award of 860 and a compensatory award of 147, but was initially asked by the tribunal to pay costs of 500 following her refusal of a 'very reasonable' 1,500 settlement by the firm.

However, this was set aside at appeal.

Close Thornton declined to comment.

Andrew Towler