New mother wins case against bank

A bank executive who was demoted after having a baby has won her claim for sexual discrimination.

Pauline Mitchell, 31, was reduced to cleaning office cupboards and junior filing work after she returned from maternity leave. She was part of the senior management team at First National Bank in Glasgow before giving birth.

When she returned to work, she found the office hierarchy had been restructured. Someone was sitting at her desk and her duties had been shared out among other members of staff.

A tribunal in Glasgow found unanimously in favour of Mrs Mitchell, who will attend a final hearing where she will ask for her £20,000-a-year job back. Failure to reinstate her could cost the bank £20,000 in compensation for loss of earnings and injury to feelings.