Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Pregnant Sales Worker Wins Victimisation Finding Despite Late Claim
Jessica Morgan worked in sales at a furniture-related wood supply company in the United Kingdom.
She became pregnant while working there.
She said a colleague made hurtful comments about pregnant women and women workers.
She also said she was kept away from customers and worried that her job was being taken away.
When she discussed returning from maternity leave, she was told her old job no longer existed.
Morgan took the company to an employment tribunal.
The tribunal said she had experienced pregnancy discrimination, but it could not accept that claim because she submitted it too late.
However, the tribunal found that she had been victimised and said she should receive compensation.
Jessica Morgan said a colleague made sexist remarks after learning she was pregnant.
Frederick Geraint Hawkes allegedly told her, “Nobody wants to see a pregnant woman.”
Morgan said she was excluded from customer visits and later told her position no longer existed.
A Swansea employment tribunal found pregnancy discrimination but dismissed that claim because it was filed late.
Morgan was found to have been victimised by her former employer and will receive compensation.
- Who
- Jessica Morgan and her former employer, Panelex Wood Agency; the reported colleague was Frederick Geraint Hawkes.
- What
- Morgan brought claims involving pregnancy discrimination, sex discrimination, unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal and victimisation.
- When
- She disclosed her pregnancy in July 2023 and discussed returning from maternity leave in October 2024.
- Where
- The case was heard by an employment tribunal in Swansea, United Kingdom.
- Why
- Morgan said her treatment changed after she announced her pregnancy, including sexist remarks, exclusion from customer visits and the removal of her position.
Morgan's account
Tribunal's legal findings
Treatment after pregnancy disclosure
Morgan's account
Morgan said Hawkes's behaviour changed after she told him she was pregnant, making her feel that her pregnancy was an inconvenience.
Tribunal's legal findings
The tribunal found that Morgan was the victim of pregnancy discrimination, although it dismissed the specific claim because it was submitted too late.
Work and return arrangements
Morgan's account
Morgan said she was no longer allowed to visit customers, was told to focus on being a mother, and learned that her position no longer existed when she discussed returning.
Tribunal's legal findings
The reported legal outcome was that Morgan had been victimised by her former employer and was entitled to compensation.
- Employer
- Panelex Wood Agency, a wood supplier based in Swansea
- Job
- Morgan joined the company as a sales manager in April 2020
- Reported remark
- Hawkes allegedly told Morgan, “Nobody wants to see a pregnant woman, Jess.”
- Return-to-work meeting
- Morgan was told in October 2024 that her position no longer existed
- Tribunal finding
- The tribunal found pregnancy discrimination but dismissed that claim because it was brought out of time
- Compensation
- Morgan will receive compensation after being found to have been victimised by her former employer