Royal Mail Fined £15K after Giving Male Clothing to Pregnant Employee

The Royal Mail has been fined £15,000 by an employment tribunal after it gave a pregnant employee male large male clothes to wear, and "bungled" its risk assessment, according to a report from Ananova.

The report says that Miss Webb was not provided with proper maternity clothing, and was sent men's trousers which were very large and "an insult to a woman". Furthermore, Miss Webb had been ordered to unload a metal container and was told to make deliveries in weather conditions which were icy and snowing.

The award of sex discrimination was for loss of earnings, injury to feelings and aggravated damages.

More Information

The Maternity Policy and Management Guide, version 1.0 (£34.99, ISBN 1-900648-46-6) and Paternity Policy and Management Guide, version 1.0 (£34.99, ISBN 1-900648-66-0), written by Magrath & Co solicitors, are available in MS Word format as an electronic download from the Workplacelaw Network website - www.workplacelaw.net/eshop - or by calling 0870 777 8881. 10% discount available to members of the Workplacelaw Network, BIFM, RICS, IFMA or RIBA. Please quote ref. 1319 when ordering.

The HSE has just launched a new web portal which brings together all its guidance on managing pregnant and new mothers in the workplace. This is available online at www.hse.gov.uk/mothers
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