Liz Earle sacks pregnant employee - wins employment tribunal

[OhHolyJesus]

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pregnant-woman-sacked-discrimination-work-baby-tribunal-employment-a9278736.html

“A woman who was sacked by a leading beauty brand because she was eight months pregnant has been contacted by hundreds of others who say they have also faced discrimination at work while expecting a baby.

Helen Larkin was awarded £17,303 by an employment tribunal on Thursday over her unfair dismissal from the Liz Earle Beauty Company.

The 38-year-old, from Portsmouth, told The Independent a new senior employee saw her pregnancy as “standing in the way” of a company restructure, and her applications for two other positions were rejected without interview because she would soon be taking maternity leave.

She said the “sexist treatment” the company subjected her to is part of a wider problem in which women across the UK face unfair discrimination because of their pregnancy.
Ms Larkin, who represented herself in the tribunal, said: “I have had hundreds of women reach out to me from different companies, across all sectors, saying they have also experienced similar treatment. So many have been silenced or did not know what to do.

“Hopefully my case will raise awareness of the scope and breadth of the problem of pregnancy discrimination and make businesses look at their processes and procedures, as well as encouraging other women to speak up and realise they can take these companies on by themselves.”'

Well that's unacceptable. Henceforth, I shall be withdrawing my custom from Liz Earle. I don't actually use Liz Earle, but there's a principle at stake here.

Extra depressing from a company primarily flogging stuff to women

I think Liz Earle sold the business to Avon a couple of years ago. She's still the 'face' of it but it's now just a subsidiary.

Breathtakingly stupid behaviour by the 'new senior employee'. And the arrogance of the company to proceed with this to tribunal rather than settling with the employee who suffered discrimination. Amazing. Hope they lose female staff in droves.

And I see Avon has now sold it to Boots. Still depressing considering the numbers of women employed by Boots. And its main customer base.

Sadly this is all too common.

I don't buy it either but if o did I would boycott on principle...the old boycott list is getting quite long...

I believe the woman who took them to tribunal wouldn't settle as they usually means signing a non-disclosure agreement meaning you can't talk about what happened.
I have previously bought liz Earle stuff but won't in the future though the woman who runs pregnant and screwed did say is she stopped buying from every company that discriminated against women there would be many companies left to but from.

Bollocks. I use her cleanse and polish all the time. Spose I will have to boycott it now.
Stupid company. Bloody idiots for being so stupid and unfair towards pregnant employees. Damn it. Sigh. My skin hates that managing director. ....

Does that mean I have to boycott Boots? How independently run is Liz Earle?

Liz Earle (person) sold Liz Earle (company) to Walgreens (global corporate monster) who also own Boots (formerly great and ethical British company.)

Similar situation to Cadburys owned by the monstrous Kraft-Modolez.

Liz Earle (person) got £140 million for Liz Earle (company) and is, as such, all right Jack.

Oh is that why boots is so crappy now

Anyone who uses the hot cloth cleanser - try the soap and glory one (imho it's far superior)

So what will happen to the 'senior employee'? Do thy get to just walk away from this?

Is the "Senior employee" a bloke? Out the of interest.

Oh is that why boots is so crappy now

Boots have been owned by Walgreens for quite some time - they bought 45% in 2012 and the remainder in 2014.

I believe the woman who took them to tribunal wouldn't settle as they usually means signing a non-disclosure agreement meaning you can't talk about what happened.

Good for her.

It's being heading downhill for years same as Smith's.

Boots are not to be trusted. They fought for many years not to recognise the union their pharmacists had joined. They lost thankfully.
Isn’t Liz Earle also sold by John Lewis?

Whatever Happened to the 1970s High Street. These days, Wilko is Boots-Smiths-Woolies & BHS all rolled into one.

Superdrug Hot cloth cleanser is just as good as the Liz Earle one.

Liz Earle have treated their employees really poorly in the past. I think Caroline Hirons wrote about it.

Yes they sell Liz Earle at John lewis

Superdrug in future for hot cloth cleanser it is then.

The Aldi one is quite good but it’s not as good as liz Earle. Fingers crossed for Superdrug’s one

I have used Liz Earle in the past but definitely will not in the future. I started with Beauty Pie a few months ago and to be fair the skin care is much better anyway but I will pass this info on to friends who do still use the products. Really disgusting behaviour.

I used Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser for a while, but then found the Akamuti equivalent was much better. I don't do hot cloth cleansing anymore though as it seemed to suit me less as I got older.